Spain returns nearly €26 million in COVID lockdown fines after court ruling: Are you due a refund?
By
Adam Woodward • Published: 27 Oct 2025 • 12:10 • 3 minutes read
Empty streets of Madrid 2020.Credit: Sergio Reviejo Maroto - Shutterstock
Spain’s Constitutional Court has ordered the Spanish government to refund almost €26 million in fines dished out during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown.
This comes after the Court ruled parts of the emergency decrees to be “
unconstitutional”, which makes many of the fines invalid. If you paid a fine for breaking lockdown rules back then, you may be eligible for a full refund – and it’s easier than you think to find out.
Why are these COVID lockdown fines being refunded?
During the height of the pandemic in 2020, police across Spain, from national forces to local town officers, issued fines for things like going outside without permission or gathering in groups. These were based on emergency laws, including the controversial “gag law” (Ley Orgánica 4/2015). But in July 2021, the Constitutional Court declared key parts of those lockdown orders invalid because they went too far in limiting basic rights like free movement.
The ruling applies retroactively, meaning the fines were never legal from the start. As a result, the government must return every single euro collected. It’s a big deal: simple and rushed mistakes during a scary time shouldn’t cost people money years later.
How much money is being returned in COVID fine refunds?
Official records from the Ministry of Finance show huge progress in processing these refunds. Between July 15, 2021 (when the court decision went public) and October 3, 2025:
- 72,551 fines were cancelled through the national accounting system
- €25.9 million refunded in total.
That’s an average of about €350 euros per fine – real money that will be welcome news to many with bills to pay, groceries, or preparations for Christmas. The Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory reports even more: up to 92,278 fines officially wiped out as of September 2025. The slight difference? It takes time to coordinate refunds across national, regional, and local police forces.
Cities like Madrid are stepping up too. In 2022, the Madrid Council
announced it would return €1.7 million from local lockdown fines, calling the collections “improper”. Many other town halls are doing the same.
Early estimates suggested over a
million fines could be affected nationwide, but not all were challenged in court right away. The good news? Refunds are automatic in many cases once a fine is reviewed, and the process is speeding up.
Who gets a COVID lockdown fine refund?
You could
qualify if:
- You got a fine starting March 16, 2020, for COVID restrictions (like stay-at-home orders or mask rules).
- It was based on the now-invalid emergency decrees, or the gag law.
- You already paid the fine – unpaid ones are just dropped.
Even if your fine was handled by local police, the court’s decision covers it. Refunds go back to the original payer, often via bank transfer.
How to check if you qualify for a Spain COVID fine refund
Wondering if money is coming your way? Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to check your status – no lawyer needed, but a digital certificate may be necessary:
- Contact Your Local Police or Town Hall: Start with the force that issued your fine (e.g., Guardia Civil for national or your city’s police). Ask about “devolución de multas por estado de alarma COVID.” Many have online portals or hotlines already set up.
- Use the National Revenue Agency (AEAT) Portal: Log in to your account on the State Agency for Tax Administration (AEAT) website. Search for “ingresos indebidos” or “devoluciones por sanciones COVID”. If eligible, you’ll see your refund status or pending amount.
- Check with the Ministry of Finance: for national-level fines, visit the Ministry of Finance’s public information service and request details on your case via their transparency portal. It’s free and straightforward.
- File a Claim If Needed: If nothing shows up, submit a “reclamación de devolución” form to the issuing authority (council, national police, etc). Include your fine reference number (from the original notice). Deadlines vary, but act soon – most claims are processed within months.
Pro tip: It is more than likely that the returned fine will just show up in your bank account. However, if you want to check, keep your fine documents handy, including payment receipts. If you’re unsure, free legal aid is available through local consumer offices or Spain’s justice system (
Abogacía Española).
What’s next for COVID fine refunds in Spain?
While 73,000+
fines are done, more are in the works. The government hasn’t said exactly how many are left, but with the court’s recent shift (now okaying some emergency limits), focus is on wrapping up refunds fairly. This isn’t just about money – it’s about trust in the system during tough times.
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