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.
How Much Should a Locksmith Cost in Spain, and How to Avoid a Rip-Off
When you're locked out there's no time to shop around. Here's what should change the price, the tricks to watch out for and what Spanish consumer rules give you.
What changes the price
- Pulled shut or locked: a door that has only been pulled shut is the quickest job. One locked with the key usually means working on the cylinder.
- Parts: whether the cylinder has to be replaced, and whether you choose a standard or a security one.
- When: nights, weekends and public holidays normally cost more.
- The door: an armoured door or a high-security lock takes longer.
Travel shouldn't be a surprise extra: a local locksmith includes it within their area. Ours: a door pulled shut from 70 € + VAT, a door locked with the key from 120 € + VAT. Everything else is on our prices page.
Warning signs of a locksmith rip-off
- A price far below everyone else's in the advert, which then grows at your door with call-out, materials or urgency charges.
- No business name and no details for an invoice, just a mobile number and a generic website. It's often a call centre that sends whoever is free, sometimes from far away.
- Refusing to give a price on the phone, or quoting by the half hour.
- Reaching for the drill straight away, or saying the whole lock must go before even looking at it.
- Cash only, and no invoice.
Your rights as a customer in Spain
- You can ask for the price (presupuesto) before any work starts, and say no if you don't agree.
- You're entitled to an invoice (factura) with the business details and the VAT.
- Businesses that serve the public must have official complaint forms (hojas de reclamaciones) and hand you one if you ask.
- If something goes wrong, the consumer office at the town hall (OMIC) can advise you.
Choosing a locksmith in a hurry
- Look for a local business with a name, genuine reviews and photos of real jobs.
- Ask on the phone for the total, VAT, any surcharge and how long they'll take.
- Check first whether your home insurance includes a locksmith.
- Send a photo of the lock on WhatsApp: a good locksmith can tell a lot from it before setting off.
If you're standing outside right now, our step-by-step locked-out guide tells you what to do first.
How we price our work
We give you the price on the phone before we set off and confirm it at the door before we start. All our prices are + VAT (IVA), and outside Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 20:00, a surcharge applies. It's all on the prices page, with no small print about travel.
More locksmith guides
Changing the Locks After Buying a Home in Spain
Who else may have a copy, which doors to include, what it costs and what to do about community keys.
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?
Call or send us a WhatsApp with your address and a photo of the lock.