2023-04-22 06:58:00
Anyone who owns a holiday home abroad often leaves it empty for several weeks. But in Spain, owners can experience a nasty surprise when they return: Suddenly strangers are living in the holiday home. Have changed the locks. And that’s completely legal.
House occupations by so-called okupas have been a very sensitive issue in Spain, especially on the island of Mallorca, for years. This particularly affects people with a second home or house. However, the Okupas do not stop at the locals either.
According to the previous legal situation, burglaries and occupations were considered criminal offenses. But: The police can only carry out an immediate evacuation without a court order within the first 48 hours following the house was squatted. This applies according to Spanish jurisprudence.
Anyone who only notices the intruders following these two days has no chance.
The reason for this is that the Spanish Constitution grants every inhabitant the right to a dignified and adequate housing.
The situation is exploited by the squatter mafia. The so-called Okupas occupy houses and demand large sums of ransom for the release, as “Immobilien Mallorca” reports.
The problem is also known to Swiss emigrants in Spain. When asked by Nau.ch, some expressed concern – and gave tips.
Urs Schacher, President of Club Suizo de Rojales, says: “If someone is not here for a certain amount of time, it is advisable to inform friends, acquaintances and neighbors anyway.” If acquaintances would drop by the property regularly, the police might be informed directly in the event of any abnormalities. Because it has to be quick.
Opinion poll
Have you secured your home with an alarm system?
Yes, I feel safer this way.
No, I think it’s unnecessary.
Fridolin Wyss, President of Club Suizo Balear, also knows. He even knows of specific cases. However, he is not afraid of the occupations.
You can protect yourself once morest squatting, he believes. “It would be best if you installed an alarm system.”
Hans Egli, President of Club Suizo Costa Blanca, also advises pulling together in the first place: “Homeowners can protect themselves by asking more neighbors to look when they are not present.”
In this way, observations can be reported immediately. Luckily, squatting is a bit rarer on the Costa Blanca as the area is more heavily built up.
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