Protests, filming police and public gatherings as a foreigner

Key rules

• Notice: Organisers of a demonstration on public roads must give written notice at least 10 days and no more than 30 days beforehand, or 24 hours when urgent.
• Residence status: You may join a lawful, peaceful demonstration whatever your residence status.
• Filming: Filming police in public is allowed, but publishing images that endanger officers or interfering with an operation can be fined.

Can you join a demonstration as a foreigner?

Yes. Foreigners have the same right to assemble and demonstrate as Spaniards, including people without residence papers. Joining a lawful, peaceful demonstration is not a reason to expel you. Serious public-order offences can still bring administrative or criminal consequences, so stay peaceful and leave if the police dissolve the event.

Police can ask for ID at a demonstration, so carry it.

What organisers must do

If you organise a demonstration on public roads, you must give written notice at least 10 days and no more than 30 days beforehand, or 24 hours when it is urgent. Send it to the Delegación or Subdelegación del Gobierno in the area. The timeline below shows the steps.

Authorities can ban or change a demonstration only for danger to people or property, or to public order. A demonstration that was not notified is not automatically illegal. It can be dissolved if it creates a risk to public order. Organising one without notice, especially near critical infrastructure, can bring a fine from 601 to 30,000 euros. Lesser failures can bring fines of 100 to 600 euros.

Filming the police

Filming or photographing police in public is allowed. The problem is what you do with the images. Using or publishing identifiable images of officers can be fined from 601 to 30,000 euros if it endangers the officers, their families or a security operation. Courts read this narrowly. Reporting on police conduct is protected.

In practice:

• Film from a distance that does not get in the way.
• Move away if an officer tells you to. Interfering with an operation can be fined.
• Officers may ask for your ID.
• Think before posting. If an identifiable face could put an officer or family at risk, don't share it.

Local police practice varies, so stay calm and cooperative on the spot. Raise any complaint afterwards.

Timeline and deadlines

• Pick the date and route of the demonstration on public roads: before you send notice, at least 10 days ahead

• Send written notice to the Delegación or Subdelegación del Gobierno (the central government's local office): at least 10 days and no more than 30 days before the event

• In urgent cases, send the written notice on short notice: 24 hours before the event

Checklist

• Carry your ID when you go to a demonstration, because police can check it there.

• Take part only in lawful, peaceful demonstrations, which you may join whatever your residence status.

• Film or photograph police in public from a distance that does not get in their way.

• Move away when an officer tells you to, even if you are filming.

• Keep identifiable images of officers off social media if sharing them could put officers or their families at risk.

What to watch out for

• A demonstration without notice can be dissolved: A demonstration that was not notified is not automatically illegal, but police can dissolve it if it risks public order. Organisers of one that fails the rules can face a serious fine. If you organise, send written notice at least 10 days and no more than 30 days before, or 24 hours when urgent. If you only attend, leave when police order the crowd to disperse.

• Publishing images that endanger officers can be fined: Filming police in public is allowed, but sharing identifiable images that put officers or their families at risk, or a security operation, can bring a serious fine. Do not post faces or details that could identify officers when it could put them at risk. Footage of how police behave is protected.

• Interfering with an operation: If your filming gets in the way of an operation, officers can ask for your ID or tell you to move away. Step back as soon as you are asked and keep filming from a distance if you can.

Frequently asked questions

Can the authorities ban a demonstration that was properly notified?

Yes, but only if there is a danger to people or property, or to public order. A ban or change to the route or time needs one of those grounds. If you are the organiser and get a ban or change, ask for the reason in writing.

Can I be expelled for joining a demonstration without residence papers?

No, joining a lawful demonstration is not a ground for expulsion, even if you have no residence permit. The right to demonstrate covers all foreigners. Serious public-order offences are different and can lead to administrative or criminal consequences.

Can I post a video of police officers online?

Yes, you can post footage of police acting in public, but not images that put officers or their families at risk, or that harm an operation. Publishing information on how police behave is protected.