Sworn translation of your power of attorney into Spanish

The power, the notary's certificate and the apostille are translated, then every page is signed and sealed.

We are not affiliated with any Spanish notary, consulate or registry. We translate; we do not advise on the law.

What does a sworn Spanish translation of a power of attorney look like?

A sworn Spanish translation of a power of attorney follows the original clause by clause. The grantor, the attorney, every power granted, the notary's certificate, seals and the apostille all appear in Spanish. The MAEC-appointed sworn translator then adds a signed certification, seal and MAEC number.

In Spain, when an office asks for an official or "certified" translation, it means a sworn translation (traducción jurada) by a MAEC-appointed translator. It has official status before Spanish courts and authorities (MAEC, Real Decreto 724/2020). A certified translation made outside Spain, for example by a UK or US translator, is not a sworn translation. Most Spanish offices won't accept it.

How much does it cost to translate a power of attorney into Spanish?

A sworn translation of a power of attorney is priced per page, from €39, with the notarial certificate and apostille included. You see one fixed total first.

Sworn translation power of attorney Spain: prices and turnaround

These are starting prices. For your final price, send your details through the quote form. We email you a written quotation, and work starts only after you approve it.

As an indicative market range, sworn translations in Spain cost about €30–120 a page. That is roughly €30–80 for the first page and €15–40 for later pages (Cronoshare, January 2026). This is a market range, not our price. Compare documents on our sworn translation price list, or get a fixed quote for your power of attorney from a scan.

Notary signing date already fixed?

Tell us the notary's name and the signing date when you upload. We quote a delivery date before that date, so the notary can check the translation in advance. Ask the notary whether a digital sworn translation is enough or paper is needed. See also urgent sworn translation.

Is a foreign power of attorney valid in Spain?

A foreign power of attorney can be used in Spain, but it needs an apostille or legalisation and an official Spanish translation. The Spanish notary then records that the powers are sufficient (juicio de suficiencia, Ley 24/2001 art. 98). It also checks that the foreign authority is equivalent.

For registration, the foreign authority must perform "funciones equivalentes" to a Spanish one (Ley 29/2015 art. 60). A DGRN resolution of 14 September 2016 refused a UK notary-public power. Equivalence had not been expressly assessed (analysis by Gómez-Acebo & Pombo, 2018). Ask the notary who will use the power to review the draft before signing.

Is an English power of attorney valid in Spain? The same apostille, translation and checks apply.

Notaries and registrars decide what translation they accept, and a notary who knows the language may translate it (Reglamento Hipotecario art. 37; Reglamento Notarial art. 150). A sworn translation has official status, so it is the safe route.

How do I prepare a power of attorney abroad for Spain?

Start with the Spanish notary or lawyer who will use the power. Ask them to approve the draft and the list of powers. Then sign at a Spanish consulate, or before a local notary. A local power is apostilled or legalised, then sworn-translated into Spanish and sent to Spain.

Poder notarial from abroad: consular or local notary?

There are two routes. Sign a consular power at a Spanish consulate, drafted in Spanish. Or sign before a local notary, add the apostille and get a translation by an official translator. London notes that a consular power is valid in Spain but not in the UK.

Selling a home in Spain from abroad (poder notarial para vender) usually starts with this choice. Your Spanish lawyer or notary can say which route suits you. We translate powers signed on the local-notary route.

Sources: London consulate and Washington consulate. Last checked: 1 October 2026.

Does a power of attorney need an apostille for Spain?

Yes, in most cases. A power signed before a foreign notary needs an apostille, or legalisation in countries outside the Apostille Convention, before it is used in Spain. The apostille certifies the notary's signature and seal, not the content. Get the apostille first, then order the sworn translation.

Read apostille before sworn translation, or use our apostille and sworn translation service.

Where do I sign and apostille a power of attorney, by country?

You sign before a local notary or at a Spanish consulate. A notarised power then goes to the apostille or legalisation authority of the country where it was signed. The table shows the usual route from six countries. Check current rules with that authority before you sign.

Your power of attorney by country

Signed in another EU country? Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 removes the apostille only for civil-status and similar public documents, not for powers of attorney. Ask the Spanish notary which formalities apply.

What should I send to translate my power of attorney?

Send a scan of every page of the signed power, the notary's certificate and the apostille or legalisation. Add the passport pages of the grantor and the attorney. Tell us the notary's signing date in Spain. Originals are never needed, and paper is posted only if the notary insists.

Where spellings differ from the passport, the translator keeps the original wording and adds a translator's note. Powers in English go through our English to Spanish sworn translation service.

When do you need a power of attorney in Spain?

You need a power of attorney in Spain when someone must sign for you while you are abroad. Common cases are buying or selling property, accepting an inheritance, acting in a court case and forming a company. Tell us the purpose when you upload.

Power of attorney sworn translation for buying property in Spain

Buyers abroad often sign a power so a lawyer or relative in Spain can sign the deed. Give us the notary's name and date, and send the power as soon as the apostille is on. Buyers also need an NIE to buy property. See sworn translation for property and inheritance in Spain.

Power of attorney sworn translation for inheritance in Spain

Living in Spain and handling a parent's estate? Brothers and sisters abroad can each sign a power, so you accept the inheritance at the notary for them. Inheritance tax self-assessment is due within 6 months from the day after death (RD 1629/1991). Heirs usually also need a death certificate sworn translation.

Power of attorney sworn translation for Spanish court

For a power for litigation (poder para pleitos), a private translation is allowed in civil proceedings. Another party can challenge it within 5 days (LEC art. 144). Many firms choose a sworn translation, with its official status, to lower that risk. See court documents sworn translation.

Power of attorney sworn translation for company formation in Spain

Directors abroad sign powers to set up a company, open a branch or get a NIF in Spain. Company deeds are covered on corporate documents sworn translation.

Filing through a representative? See Extranjería sworn translation and Spanish nationality sworn translation. For civil status, see marriage certificate sworn translation or divorce decree sworn translation.

For law firms: see sworn translation for law firms in Spain. Other documents for your file: every document we translate.

Why are power of attorney translations questioned, and how do we prevent it?

The formal points we check before the seal is applied (unclear powers are a legal question for your notary):

• Apostille added later. We translate only once the apostille is on.
• Name or number mismatch. We compare the power with both passports.
• Powers rephrased. Each power is rendered faithfully; drafting questions go to your notary.
• Unverified translator. Check the official MAEC search (Buscador-STIJ).

Can I rely on a translator I never meet for a notary signing?

Yes, because you can check the key facts before you pay. A power signed before a London or New Jersey notary, for example, gets a fixed quote first. The translator is appointed by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their seal and signature on each page can be matched on the official MAEC list. If the notary rejects the translation on formal grounds, we redo it free and with priority.

• Is the translator real? Every translator in our network is listed on the official MAEC register. Here is how to verify a Spanish sworn translator.
• What if the notary objects? Free, prioritised re-issue if rejected on formal grounds. Read our re-issue policy.
• Is my data safe? Passport and property details are deleted within 7 days of delivery. See our privacy policy.
• Signing in a few days? Use our urgent sworn translation service.

Frequently asked questions

How do I order a sworn translation of my power of attorney?

Upload a scan of the signed power of attorney, the notary's certificate and the apostille, with the Spanish notary's signing date. We check pages, names and dates. Before you pay, you receive a fixed price and a delivery date.

We only translate. We never sell appointments.