How Spaniards view corruption, the state and bureaucracy

Key rules

• Appointment: Book online first, because offices often refuse walk-ins.
• Local rules: Requirements can differ by region or office, so ask yours and request them in writing.
• Proof: Keep a receipt for every submission.
• Attitude: Staying polite and patient works better than pressing hard.

The short version

Many Spaniards have little trust in national politics and see public offices as slow and inconsistent. That doesn't mean offices are hostile to you. It means you should prepare well, stay polite and keep proof of everything you do.

How much do Spaniards trust their institutions?

Trust in the national government, parliament and political parties is well below the EU average. Trust in the government and parliament typically sits in the 20s and 30s as a percentage. Trust in parties is among the lowest in the EU. Trust in the courts is also below average. Trust in the EU itself is higher than trust in national institutions.

So you will often hear people complain about "the politicians" or "the administration". Treat that as normal conversation, not as a warning about your own case.

What is the corruption record?

In Transparency International's yearly ranking, Spain scored 56 in 2024 and ranked about 46th of 180 countries. It scored 60 in 2023. Spain has sat in the mid-50s to 60 range, below the Western Europe average. A new edition comes out each year, so look up the latest one.

A few big cases shaped public opinion:

• Gürtel: an illegal financing and kickback network linked to the PP party. A 2018 court ruling convicted its leader and found the party benefited. That led to the vote that removed the prime minister of the time.
• ERE: fraud in unemployment-fund payments in Andalusia, linked to the PSOE party. Two former regional presidents were convicted in 2019. Higher courts later partly annulled or reduced the outcomes.
• Kitchen: alleged use of police resources to take documents from a former PP treasurer. The case against a former interior minister and police chiefs went to trial in 2025.
• Koldo: an investigation into alleged kickbacks on pandemic mask contracts. Three people linked to the case, including a former minister, were jailed provisionally in 2025. Supreme Court proceedings continue.

Other cases, including ones touching the prime minister's circle and the attorney general, also feed public distrust. These cases are still moving, so check recent news for the latest rulings.

How do people see bureaucracy?

Most people see it as slow, heavy on forms and uneven from one office to the next. Digital services have improved, but you will still meet:

• Offices that refuse walk-ins and want an appointment.
• Different requirements in different regions or even different offices for the same procedure.
• Slower processing in August and around midday.

What this means for you

• Expect variation. Ask your specific office which requirements apply. Ask politely for them in writing.
• Be polite and patient. Staff respond better to calm, prepared people. Getting angry rarely helps.
• Keep proof. Keep a receipt of every submission. If a file goes missing, the receipt is your evidence.
• Go online when you can. Cl@ve or a digital certificate lets you handle many files without queues.
• Use help for complex files. A gestor is a professional who handles paperwork for you. A gestor is worth it when your file has many steps.
• Never pay for favours. Official procedures have official fees only. Pay them through the official channel and keep the receipt.

The documents list, checklist and warnings below cover what to bring and what to avoid.

Documents you need

• Passport: bring your original and a photocopy to every office visit.

• NIE, your foreigner identification number: bring the original and a photocopy.

• Empadronamiento, the certificate showing you are registered at your town hall address: bring it with a photocopy.

• Cl@ve or a digital certificate, needed if you process the file online.

Checklist

• Book a cita previa (appointment) online before you go, because walk-ins are often refused.

• Bring originals plus photocopies of your passport, NIE and empadronamiento.

• Ask which requirements apply at your specific office or region, and ask politely for them in writing.

• Keep a receipt of every submission.

• Set up Cl@ve or a digital certificate so you can process files online.

• Avoid August and mid-day hours when you choose an appointment.

• Hire a gestor if your file is complex.

What to watch out for

• Turned away without an appointment: Many offices refuse walk-ins, so you can lose a day and have to start again.

• Different rules at different offices: Requirements can differ by region or office, so a file accepted in one place may be refused in another. Ask the office for its requirements in writing, politely, and bring originals plus photocopies.

• No proof of what you submitted: Without a receipt, you cannot show you filed something if the office loses track of it. Keep a receipt of every submission.

• Slow periods: August and mid-day hours slow processing, so a deadline can slip. Book early and avoid those times when you can.

Frequently asked questions

What was Spain's score in the Corruption Perceptions Index?

Spain scored 56 in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index and ranked about 46th of 180 countries. In 2023 it scored 60, ranking 39th.

Which corruption cases changed how Spaniards see politics?

The main cases are Gürtel, ERE, Kitchen and Koldo. Gürtel, a kickback network tied to the PP party, led to the 2018 motion that ousted Rajoy. ERE involved fraud in Andalusian unemployment funds, and Koldo involves alleged kickbacks on pandemic mask contracts, with proceedings still continuing.

Do Spaniards trust the EU more than their own institutions?

Yes, trust in the EU is higher than trust in Spain's national institutions.

Should I use a gestor for a complex file?

Yes, a gestor (an administrative agent who handles paperwork for you) is worth considering for complex files, because requirements can differ by region or office. Ask politely for any requirement in writing, and keep a receipt of everything you submit.