When a divorce in Spain involves domestic violence (“violencia de género”), the process is handled with special legal protections and urgency to safeguard the victim. Below is a clear overview of how it works — legally, practically, and emotionally.
🇪🇸 DIVORCE IN SPAIN INVOLVING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
1. Immediate Protection Comes First
If domestic violence has occurred, the family court (“Juzgado de Violencia sobre la Mujer”) takes over the entire case.
This court handles:
- The criminal case (violence, threats, coercion, etc.), and
- The civil matters (divorce, custody, home use, child support, etc.).
If you report violence or already have a protective order (“orden de protección”), this special court will handle everything to avoid re-traumatization.
2. Where to File
You can file the divorce:
- Through a lawyer and procurador at the Juzgado de Violencia sobre la Mujer, or
- Through a normal family court if there is no open case of violence — but once violence is reported, it automatically transfers to the Violence Court.
3. Two Divorce Routes
a) Contested Divorce (“Divorcio contencioso”)
Used when:
- There is domestic violence.
- There’s no mutual agreement on terms.
You do not need your abuser’s consent to file.
The court decides:
- Custody (often sole custody to the non-violent parent)
- Housing (victim usually retains use of the home)
- Financial support (spousal and child support)
- Visitation (may be suspended or supervised)
b) Mutual Agreement Divorce (“Divorcio de mutuo acuerdo”)
This is only possible if there is no ongoing violence case or coercion.
If violence has occurred, a “mutual” agreement is not valid if made under intimidation.
4. Protective Measures
If you’ve reported violence, the judge can immediately issue:
- Restraining order (“orden de alejamiento”)
- No-contact order
- Temporary custody and housing orders
- Police protection or panic button (ATENPRO)
- Emergency shelter
These orders can be issued within 72 hours of filing the report.
5. Legal Aid and Support
Victims of gender violence are entitled to:
- Free legal aid, regardless of income.
- Immediate appointment of a lawyer (“abogada de oficio especializada en violencia de género”).
- Psychological and social support through the Instituto de la Mujer or Centro de la Mujer.
- Sheltered housing if needed.
You can request a specialized women’s lawyer through:
- Oficina de Asistencia a las VĂctimas del Delito
- Centro de la Mujer (016 helpline can guide you)
6. Key Emergency Numbers
- 016 – National helpline for gender violence (24h, free, no phone record).
- 112 – Emergency services.
- 091 / 062 – Police (national or Guardia Civil).
- Online chat 016-online@igualdad.gob.es for silent help.
7. Child Protection
If children are involved:
- Exposure to violence counts as child abuse under Spanish law (LO 8/2021).
- Custody or visitation can be suspended or strictly controlled.
- The court prioritizes the child’s psychological safety.
8. Timeline
- Emergency measures: within 24–72 hours.
- Divorce decree: a few months (depends on court load).
- Criminal trial: may take longer, but civil protection stays in place.
9. If the Abuser Is in Another Country
Spain can request European arrest warrants or collaborate under EU and Hague conventions for custody or financial enforcement.
You can still divorce in Spain if:
- You are resident in Spain, or
- You are Spanish, even if married abroad.
10. Emotional and Psychological Recovery
After years of coercion or abuse, divorce is not just a legal step — it’s part of trauma recovery.
Spain offers free trauma therapy and empowerment programs for survivors through:
- Instituto de la Mujer
- Centros de la Mujer in every province
- NGOs like Fundación Ana Bella or Mujeres en Igualdad
