What to Do After a Burglary in Spain: A Step-by-Step Guide for Costa del Sol Homeowners
If your home on the Costa del Sol has been broken into, the priorities are simple: get safe, avoid disturbing the scene, report the crime to the police, tell your insurer and have your property secured the same day. Acting quickly protects you, strengthens any insurance claim and reduces the risk of a second visit. Here is exactly what to do, in order, from the locksmiths and security specialists at Security of Spain.
Security of Spain, La Cala de Mijas
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📍 Mijas Costa: La Cala de Mijas, Mijas Costa, 29469, Málaga.
What to Do After a Burglary in Spain
Step 1: Put your safety first
If you arrive home to a forced door, a smashed window or any sign that someone has been inside, do not go in alone. An intruder could still be on the premises. Step away, move somewhere safe and call 112, Spain’s emergency number. Operators can often assist in English, but have your address ready and describe clearly what you have seen. If there is any doubt at all, wait outside for the police.
Step 2: Leave everything as you found it
It is natural to want to tidy up. Resist it. Fingerprints, footprints and disturbed items can all help investigators, so avoid touching door handles, windows and drawers where possible. Before anything is moved, take photographs and short videos of the damage, the point of entry and each room. These will also support your insurance claim later.
Step 3: Report the burglary and get a denuncia
In Spain, a formal police report is called a denuncia. Report the burglary to the Guardia Civil or the Policía Nacional, depending on where you live, either at the station or when officers attend. Some forces let you start a report online or by phone, but you will generally still need to confirm it in person. Take your passport or NIE, proof of ownership or tenancy if you have it, and your photographs. Prepare a list of what is missing, with descriptions, serial numbers and approximate values. Ask for a copy of the denuncia. You will almost certainly need it later.
Step 4: Contact your insurer
Notify your home insurer as soon as you can. Most policies set time limits for reporting a claim, and most insurers ask for a copy of the denuncia, your photographs and your inventory of losses. Check whether your policy has conditions about locks, shutters or alarms, because these can affect what is covered. If you are unsure, ask your broker or insurer directly.
Step 5: Secure your home the same day
A damaged door or window leaves your home open to a second attempt, and if keys were taken, every lock they open is compromised. Call an emergency locksmith to make the property secure, repair or board up the damage and replace the lock cylinders. Our master locksmith emergency team covers Mijas Costa and the wider Costa del Sol and can often be with you within minutes, depending on where you are. See our emergency locksmith services for details. If you are in another country when you find out, call us anyway. We can talk through how to arrange access with a neighbour, agent or keyholder.
Step 6: Find out how they got in
Most burglaries are not sophisticated. The usual weak points are standard lock cylinders that can be snapped, doors and frames that give way under force, unprotected ground-floor windows, sliding doors and old rejas that are poorly fixed. Knowing the entry point tells you what to fix. Our article comparing standard and anti-snap lock cylinders explains why cylinder construction matters so much.
Step 7: Repair smarter, not just back to how it was
Restoring a door to its previous state also restores the weakness that let someone in. A layered approach works best:
- Doors: anti-snap cylinders and automatic deadlocks.
- Windows: security shutters or window grilles, depending on your property.
- Terraces and patio doors: scissor gates and rejas.
- Early warning: a security alarm.
- Valuables: a security safe for passports, jewellery and cash.
You do not need to turn a beautiful Mediterranean home into a fortress. Well-chosen security is largely invisible day to day. If you would like an honest opinion, we offer a free security site survey: objective advice, no sales tactics and no obligation.
Mistakes to avoid after a break-in
- Tidying up before taking photographs.
- Leaving the locks unchanged when keys are missing.
- Delaying the denuncia or the call to your insurer.
- Repairing like for like and nothing more.
- Assuming it will not happen again. A property that has been targeted once can be targeted again.
Frequently asked questions
Should I call 112 or go to the police station? If you think the intruder may still be inside, or anyone is in danger, call 112 immediately. If the property is clearly empty and nobody is hurt, you can report in person at the Guardia Civil or Policía Nacional, though asking officers to attend while the scene is fresh is often sensible.
Do I need a denuncia for my insurance claim? Most insurers ask for a copy of the denuncia, so get one even for a minor theft. Check your policy wording or ask your insurer to confirm exactly what they need.
How soon should I change my locks after a burglary? Ideally the same day. If keys were stolen, or a lock was damaged or snapped, the old cylinders cannot be trusted. Fitting anti-snap cylinders at the same time is a sensible upgrade.
Can Security of Spain help if I am not in Spain? Yes. Call or WhatsApp us on (+34) 636 770 865 and we will talk through your options for gaining access and securing the property with the help of a neighbour, agent or keyholder.
Need help now?
Security of Spain are your English-speaking locksmith and security experts in La Cala de Mijas, serving Mijas Costa, Fuengirola, Benalmádena, Marbella and the wider Costa del Sol. If it is an emergency, call (+34) 636 770 865. If it is not, WhatsApp us to arrange your free site survey.
What to Do After a Burglary in Spain – Helpful Security guides from Security of Spain, Mijas Costa.