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Apostille from Spain to Germany

Apostille works

At a glance

Can a document from Spain be used in Germany?

ResultApostille applies.
SpainUses apostilles member since 1
GermanyUses apostilles member since 1
Apostille issued by

Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Cortes (Ministerio de la Presidencia, Justicia y Relaciones con las Cortes)2

Fee in Spain

No fee, according to the office (apostilles from the High Courts of Justice and the Ministry of Justice)2

€3.50 to €7.50 (apostilles from the Professional Association of Notaries)2

Processing time in SpainNot published by the office3
Last checked

Step by step

How to get a document from Spain ready for Germany

  1. Find the authority for your document type: notarial documents go to the Notarial Colleges, and judicial and administrative documents go to the Ministry of Justice offices or a High Court of Justice.2
  2. For some certificates issued by the Ministry of Justice, apply online on the Ministry's electronic office and identify yourself with Cl@ve.3
  3. Otherwise, apply in person before an authority with apostille competence anywhere in Spain.4
  4. To apply by post, send the apostille application form together with the original public document.5
  5. Fill in every field of the application form, including the number of documents and the destination country, and attach the documents.6
  6. Download an electronic apostille within one year using the user name (your DNI) and password printed on the request receipt.3
  7. Give the document, with its apostille or legalisation, to the office in Germany that asked for it.

Situations

When the answer changes

  • Private documents.A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public, and the apostille then goes on the notary’s certificate. A copy of a public document from another country is first certified by a notary public, then apostilled.
  • The other direction. For a document from Germany used in Spain, the apostille or legalisation starts in Germany. Apostille from Germany to Spain

What the apostille confirms

An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.

Questions

Questions about documents from Spain for Germany

Is an apostille from Spain accepted in Germany?

Yes. An apostille from Spain is enough for Germany: both are members of the Apostille Convention (Spain since 25 September 1978, Germany since 13 February 1966). The apostille is issued in Spain by Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Cortes. The office in Spain states that it charges no fee. The office in Germany that receives the document decides what else it needs. Last checked 18 October 2026 against the HCCH status table.

Who issues the apostille for a document from Spain?

Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Cortes (Ministerio de la Presidencia, Justicia y Relaciones con las Cortes). The apostille is always issued in the country the document comes from, not in Germany.

How much does the apostille cost in Spain?

The office in Spain states that it charges no fee. Fees can change, so check the office's own page before you apply.

Do I need to notarise a private document first?

Yes. A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public in Spain. The apostille then goes on the notary's certificate.

Does Germany also need a translation?

The office in Germany that receives the document decides. Ask it before you start whether it needs a translation, and whether the translation needs its own certification.

Sources and verification

Sources

  1. HCCH status table: Apostille Convention (1961)Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) · HCCH · retrieved
  2. Spain - Competent Authority (Art. 6)Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) · HCCH · retrieved
  3. Legalización única o Apostilla de la HayaSpanish Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Cortes · Competent authority · retrieved
  4. Apostilla Electrónica - Servicio Público de JusticiaSpanish Ministry of Justice (Servicio Público de Justicia) · Government · retrieved
  5. Apostilla de documentos - Administración de Justicia en EuskadiBasque Government, Justice Administration · Government · retrieved
  6. Solicitud de legalizaciones / apostillasSpanish Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Cortes · Competent authority · retrieved
  7. Beantragung einer ApostilleFederal Office for Foreign Affairs (Bundesamt für Auswärtige Angelegenheiten) · Competent authority · retrieved
  8. BfJ - Häufig gestellte FragenFederal Office of Justice (Bundesamt für Justiz) · Government · retrieved
  9. BfJ - Anerkennung von Urkunden ohne ApostilleFederal Office of Justice (Bundesamt für Justiz) · Government · retrieved
Status
Last verified: (18 October 2026)
How it was checked
Checked by our team against the sources above
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