Locked Out in Spain: What to Do, Step by Step
What to check first, who to call, what ID you'll need and how to avoid paying too much.
Changing the Locks After Buying a Home in Spain
You've got the keys to your new home in Orihuela Costa or Torrevieja. Before you move your things in, ask yourself a simple question: who else has a copy?
Why change the locks in a home you've just bought
When a property changes hands, nobody can tell you how many copies of the keys exist. Previous owners and their families, estate agents, cleaners, builders, holiday tenants and key holders may all have had one. Changing the cylinder is the only way to be sure that only you can get in.
Usually it's the cylinder, not the whole lock
Most front doors on the Costa Blanca use a euro profile cylinder, the part the key goes into. In most cases only the cylinder needs changing: it takes a few minutes and the door is not touched. The whole lock is replaced only when it is worn or damaged, or when you want a higher level of security.
A cylinder change is from 60 € + VAT and a security cylinder from 90 € + VAT. More on lock and cylinder change.
Which doors to include
- The front door, and any second door from the garage or the street.
- Terrace and patio doors that lock with a key.
- Storerooms (trasteros) and private garages.
Cylinders can be set up to work with the same key (keyed alike). If that's what you want, say so when you call.
Community keys: gate, pool and entrance
In most residential complexes the keys or fobs for the main gate, the pool and the shared entrances belong to the community of owners (comunidad de propietarios), not to each home. Don't change those locks yourself: ask the property administrator (administrador de fincas) or the community president for copies, or to have them changed.
If you rent rather than own
Agree it with the landlord first and keep the original cylinder so it can be refitted when you leave. If your contract says the landlord must have a key, give them a copy of the new one.
Choose a cylinder with a key card
Some security cylinders come with a key card (tarjeta de propiedad): new copies can only be cut by showing it. That way you control how many keys exist from day one. Our guide to anti-snap cylinders explains what else to look for.
More locksmith guides
How Much Should a Locksmith Cost in Spain, and How to Avoid a Rip-Off
What changes the price, the warning signs of a rip-off and your rights as a customer in Spain.
Anti-Snap Cylinders Explained: Choosing a Secure Euro Cylinder
How cylinders are attacked, what anti-snap and anti-bump mean and how to tell if yours needs changing.
How to Secure Your Holiday Home in Spain While You're Away
Locks, shutters, keys and key holders, and what to do if someone breaks in while you're away.
Need a locksmith in Orihuela Costa now?
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