Compensation for Victims of Violent Crime in Spain (2026)
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listIn this article
lightbulbKey Takeaways
- check_circleMain route: civil liability in the judgment
- check_circlePublic aid if the convicted person is insolvent
- check_circleGuideline scale for injuries
- check_circleMoral harm is also compensated
Victims of violent crime have the right to be compensated for the physical, psychological and moral harm suffered. As criminal lawyers, we explain the available routes.
The Main Route: the Criminal Judgment
The first route is the civil liability arising from the crime: the judgment convicting the offender also sets the compensation they must pay the victim. To match the real harm, it is advisable to join as a private prosecutor and provide expert evidence.
Public Aid
Where the convicted person is insolvent, cannot be located or there is no conviction, the State provides a system of public aid for victims of violent crime and crimes against sexual freedom. This aid covers, within certain limits, serious injury, incapacity or death.
The Scale for Injuries
To quantify bodily harm, criminal courts use the road-accident compensation scale as a guideline. This scale values the days of recovery, the lasting effects and the personal harm, providing a reference for consistent compensation.
Moral harm is also compensated
Beyond physical harm, compensation includes moral harm: the suffering, distress and psychological impact of the crime. Proving it with reports is decisive.
Securing Payment
A favourable judgment does not guarantee payment. It is therefore essential to seek interim measures — such as seizing the offender's assets — from the investigation stage, and to trace their estate to make the compensation effective.
Seeking the compensation you are owed?
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