Employment & Social Security Law — Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Employing staff in Spain, or facing a dismissal?

Cautio Legal advises foreign businesses hiring in Spain, and individual employees navigating a dismissal or a workplace dispute. We act for one side only in any given matter, never both. Free initial consultation, no obligation.

Free consultation Call — +34 684 742 105

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Why the paperwork matters before there's a dispute

Dismissal challenges must be filed within 20 working days — a strict deadline
Payroll and social security rules differ from what a foreign employer expects
A contract drafted for another jurisdiction rarely holds up under Spanish law
Labour Inspectorate proceedings move on their own schedule, not yours

Almost every employment dispute is decided before it exists — in how the contract was drafted, how working hours were recorded, whether the dismissal letter says what it needs to say. By the time a matter reaches a tribunal, the room to manoeuvre was built months earlier.

We work both sides of this: day-to-day management — contracts, payroll setup, changes to terms, working-time records — and disputes — dismissals, unpaid claims, Labour Inspectorate proceedings, and denied benefits.

We act for businesses and for employees, but never both parties to the same matter — the moment a conflict of interest exists, we say so and step aside.

Situations we regularly handle

Not an exhaustive list — if your situation isn't here, contact us and we'll tell you plainly whether we can help.

Hiring in Spain

Contracts, payroll setup, and social security registration for a foreign business hiring local staff.

Dismissal

For employees: challenging an unfair dismissal within the 20-day deadline. For employers: preparing one that holds up.

Labour Inspectorate proceedings

Responding to an inspection or a sanctions file from the Spanish labour authority.

Unpaid claims

Recovering unpaid wages, overtime, or severance — or defending against a claim.

Social Security benefits

Disability, retirement, and unemployment benefits, including cross-border situations.

Self-employed registration

Setting up as "autónomo" correctly from day one — registration, contributions, and tax obligations.

How we work with clients abroad

Video-call consultations

You don't need to be on the island, or even in Spain, for the first consultation or for most of the process.

One lawyer, throughout

The person you speak to on day one stays responsible for your case — you are not passed between people.

Explained in plain English

What's happening, what your options are, and what it will cost, confirmed in writing before we begin.

Common questions

I've been dismissed — how long do I have to challenge it?

In most cases, 20 working days from the date of dismissal. This deadline is strict, so contact us as soon as possible rather than waiting to see what happens.

Can a foreign company hire staff directly in Spain without a local entity?

It depends on the arrangement — sometimes yes, sometimes a local entity or a registered presence is required. We'll tell you what applies once we understand your situation.

I'm self-employed and moving my work to Spain — what do I need to do?

Registration as "autónomo" (self-employed), social security contributions, and tax obligations all need setting up correctly from day one — we can guide you through it.

How much does this cost?

Fees are agreed in writing before we start, once we understand the scope of your case. The first consultation is free and without obligation.

Is what I tell you confidential?

Yes, it is protected by professional secrecy under Spanish law. In this first message, avoid sending sensitive documents — we'll tell you the secure way to share them once we're in contact.