The expropriation and seizure procedure in Spain

There are two kinds of administrative procedures: urgent and ordinary although the first is paradoxically the most commonly applied. It is regulated by means the “Ley de 16 de Diciembre de 1954, de Expropiacion Forzosa” developed by the “Decreto de 26 de abril de 1957, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento de la Ley de Expropiación Forzosa”.

The main difference lies in the order of the steps but the factors and elements are the same.

First it is necessary the declaration of public useful or social interest by means a law, in a general way or implicitly. The partial expropriation is also possible. Once accomplished this follows the stages strictly speaking:

a) The necessity of occupation; concreting the assets and publishing them giving the opportunity to the affected for making allegations.

b) The valuation of the appraisal; over the agreement of the parties or being established by an arbitral organ, the “Jurado Provincial de Expropiacion” beginning all the process with the named “hoja de aprecio” a document where the repossessed value its property.

c) The payment of the compensation; but in the urgent procedure it is determined and paid after the occupation.

d) The occupation of the asset, consigning previously an esteemed amount.

 The seizure procedure is regulated by the “Real Decreto 939/2005, de 29 de julio, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento General de Recaudación” along the articles 75-93 depending of the properties affected. This law develops the “Ley 58/2003, de 17 de diciembre, General Tributaria” and the “Ley 47/2003, de 26 de noviembre, General Presupuestaria”.