Complete Guide: How To Elope In Spain

Spain is considered by many to be one of the most romantic countries in the world. This is why many people choose to elope in Spain.

From sprawling beaches to towering mountains, Spain has a large variety of backdrops to choose from. 

Some choose to elope in one of Spain’s major cities while others enjoy the countryside and mountains. You can even have both as many couples travel around Spain after their elopement!

In this guide, you’ll learn about all the best destinations in Spain for elopement. We will also cover the regulations and laws you need to know about regarding elopement in Spain. 

Best Places To Elope Spain

One of the most important things you have to decide on is where to elope in Spain. Here are the top elopement destinations and what you can expect in each place. 

Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Spain. Well-known for beaches, nightlife, and vibrant culture, Barcelona is a great place to elope. 

Many people also choose to elope in Barcelona because of the large gastronomy scene. You can have an amazing breakfast before the elopement and a romantic fancy dinner afterward. 

Bardenas Reales

A desert oasis is not the first thing people think of when they imagine Spain, but the Bardenas Reales is just south of Navarre and is a serene desert perfect for elopement.  

If you have seen photos of the popular Cabezo de Castildetierra, then you know how beautiful the Bardenas Reales is. It draws visitors from all over the world and is one of the most popular elopement destinations in the country. 

Lagos De Covadonga

Many people choose Spain as an elopement destination because it allows them to go hiking or backpacking with their partners. If this is part of your plan, check out Lagos de Covadonga as an elopement destination. 

After your beautiful elopement ceremony, you can hike through huge mountains and glacial lakes with your spouse. Make sure to hike through Lake Ercina and Lake Enol and get some breathtaking photos.

Parque Natural De Somiedo

This is another popular hiking elopement spot in Spain. It offers glacial lakes, tall mountain peaks, and valleys you can traverse across.

Whether you are an amateur or experienced hiker, there are plenty of trails in the Parque Natural de Somiedo for your skill level. 

Many couples that like to stay active choose to elope here so they can spend time outdoors and in nature after their elopement. There are also plenty of opportunities to see wildlife.

Madrid

Many people choose to elope in Spain’s capital, Madrid. There are many venues to choose from since the city offers a variety of different architectural designs that span centuries.

There are also a number of gardens and outdoor venues if you want to get married outside. 

The city also boasts cultural excursions, plenty of restaurants to choose from, and ample nightlife. Madrid is a great place to elope in Spain for couples who like to dance, go sightseeing, or learn about history.

Playas De La Catedrales

If you want to elope in Spain on the beach, Playas de la Catedrales is one of the best places to go. It offers clear turquoise waters and soft sand beaches.

There are also a number of stone arches that have been carved by the water that are great for photo ops. 

Playas de la Catedrales is a popular destination for couples who just want to spend their elopement relaxing by the beach and enjoying the amazing Spanish weather.

Cuevas Del Drach

Cuevas del Drach is a collection of caves formed by seawater. It’s a very romantic setting as you can take evening boat rides through the caves and underground lakes.

Many visitors also enjoy taking photos near the stalactites. Couples who want a tranquil and romantic setting should head to Cauvas del Drach as it’s less touristy and offers a serene place to elope.

Ibiza

Many couples choose to elope on the tiny rock island of Es Vedra near Ibiza. It’s a great remote place to get away from crowds.

You also get the stunning backdrop of the water and rock formations behind you. Once you’re done with the ceremony, you can either stay on the island or head back to Ibiza.

How To Elope In Spain

The pricing and laws regarding elopement in Spain are one of the least exciting parts of planning your trip, but they are important to talk about. 

You might also want to consider choosing an elopement package to save on money. 

Spain Elopement Packages

There are many travel and wedding companies that offer Spain elopement packages. Packages often save money and they also take away the headache that comes with trying to plan your own elopement. 

Some packages are all-inclusive which means they include all your food and accommodation. Some companies will even include your flight prices and book the tickets for you. 

Budget elopement packages usually include things like:

• Airport transfers
• Officiant for the ceremony
• Car services or transportation 
• Budget accommodation 
• Photographer 
• Cake

Luxury elopement packages include all of the things above as well as:

• Videographer to follow you around every day you are at the destination 
• Custom itinerary including attractions and excursions 
• Hair and makeup 
• Bridal bouquet 
• Accommodation in luxury hotels
• Food for three meals a day 
• Alcohol 
• Fancy dinner and breakfast on the day of the ceremony 

Some luxury packages also include flights. Some people choose to book flights on their own though to try and find cheaper prices. 

Reservations

If you book an elopement package, they will make all the reservations for you. If you are deciding not to do a package though, you might be wondering how or if you should make reservations. 

Most companies offer discounts the further you book in advance. Reservations can be made one year in advance up to just three months before you go to Spain. 

If you are booking everything on your own, you will need to check the venue of the place you want to elope. Most places require a reservation at least 30 days before, but ideally more than that. 

If your partner is a resident of Spain and you are having an official wedding, you will need to wait about six weeks before the paperwork is complete, so keep this in mind when making reservations. 

Symbolic weddings do not need to wait for paperwork. 

Elopement Budget And Pricing

The budget and price of your elopement will depend on your preferences as a couple. Some people choose to have a luxury elopement complete with flowers, cake, luxury cars, and live music. 

Other couples prefer to just have a small ceremony with maybe a simple cake and a videographer. Your budget can be as big or small as you like, just make sure to discuss it with your partner so you both can expect how much to spend. 

Along with the prices you will pay for the elopement in Spain, you also need to factor in the costs of flights, hotel stays, and visas if needed. 

For luxury elopements including hair and makeup, fancy hotel rooms, flowers, cake, photographers, etc, you can expect to spend about $12,000 to $20,000 including flights. 

Budget elopements that only include the basics will be about $5,000 to $10,000 including flights. 

Rules And Laws For Eloping In Spain

If you and your partner are both foreigners, you will not be able to have an official wedding in Spain. Many people choose to elope in Spain with a symbolic ceremony while they do the official wedding paperwork in their home country. 

To legally elope in Spain, you or your partner needs to be a resident of Spain for at least two years. You will need to show a certificate of residence in order to obtain a marriage license. 

If this is the case and you are able to legally elope in Spain, you will also need to get a certificate of no impediment. This shows the Spanish government that you and your partner are allowed to get married. 

The partner that is a resident in Spain can get this at a courthouse while the foreign partner will need to get it from their home country’s embassy. 

The foreign partner will also need to bring along the following documents from their home country: 

• Birth certificate
• Passport with four photocopies 
• Certificate of marital status 
• Divorce degrees
• Spanish Town Hall Registration Certificate 
• Extraniera application form and three photocopies 

You can pick up the Extraniera application form from a national police station in Spain. 

Keep in mind that all your foreign documents need to be translated into Spanish and be notarized. 

Final Thoughts On Eloping In Spain

Spain is a beautiful and romantic country to elope in. The diverse landscape offers many different destinations perfect for every couple.

The paperwork needed is also very straightforward and easy to obtain if you are doing an official ceremony. 

Many couples that elope in Spain choose to purchase an elopement package so that all the details and reservations are done for them. 

Ready for your elopement in Spain? We hope this guide covered everything you need to know to make the process easy for you! 

Visiting Spain soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Road trip itineraries in Spain
• Backpacking Spain itinerary
• Barcelona itinerary