
Associations
Associations are a useful tool —protected by the Spanish Constitution— that serve to channel the activity generated by a group of people who organize to carry out a collective activity around purposes as diverse as sports, social or cultural promotion, defense of collective interests, environmental care, development of social sectors, and attention to disadvantaged areas, among others… the convenience of assistance from expert advisors or lawyers in the field is common, given the dispersion and complexity of regulations.
Thus, technically, an association is usually defined as a legal entity constituted by the agreement of three or more natural or legal persons, who commit to sharing knowledge, means, and activities to achieve lawful, common purposes of general or private interest. Associations are organized through statutes that govern their operation.
The right of association is proclaimed and protected as a Fundamental Right by Article 22 of the Spanish Constitution of 1978 and is developed by Organic Law 1/2002, of March 22, regulating the Right of Association.
The freedom of association is a right that enables us to join and form groups, associations, or organizations with lawful objectives, as well as to withdraw from them. Its evolution has led to its consecration in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, among others. Our IN DIEM Association Lawyers area handles providing solutions for the exercise of such rights, as well as providing legal assistance to associations for the needs generated in their day-to-day operations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Associations
What regulations govern Associations?
Associations are recognized by the Spanish Constitution as a Fundamental Right, and are also developed at the national level by the following regulations:
- Organic Law 1/2002, of March 22, regulating the Right of Association.
- Royal Decree 1740/2003, of December 19, on procedures relating to associations of public utility.
- Royal Decree 949/2015, of October 23, approving the Regulations of the National Registry of Associations.
Do the Autonomous Communities have regulatory powers?
Yes. The Autonomous Communities have their own implementing regulations, including the following:
ANDALUSIA
- Organic Law 2/2007, of March 19, on the reform of the Statute of Autonomy for Andalusia (BOE no. 68, of March 20).
- Royal Decree 304/1985, of February 6, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 62, of March 13).
- Law 4/2006, of June 23, on Associations of Andalusia (BOJA no. 126, of July 3; BOE no. 185, of August 4).
- Decreto 152/2002, of March 21, approving the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of the Registry of Associations of Andalusia (BOJA number 69, of June 13).
ARAGON
- Organic Law 5/2007, of April 20, on the reform of the Statute of Autonomy of Aragon —Article 71— (BOE no. 97, of April 23).
- Royal Decree 1054/1994, of May 20, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 148, of June 22).
CANARY ISLANDS
- Organic Law 1/2018, of November 5, on the reform of the Statute of Autonomy of the Canary Islands —Article 110— (BOE no. 268, of November 6).
- Royal Decree 1205/1985, of July 3, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 175, of July 23).
- Law 4/2003, of February 28, on Associations of the Canary Islands (BOE no. 78, of April 1).
- Decree 12/2007, of February 5, approving the Regulations for Associations of the Canary Islands (Official Gazette of the Canary Islands no. 38, of February 21).
CANTABRIA
- Statute of Autonomy. Organic Law 8/1981, of December 30 (BOE no. 9, of January 11, 1982), amended by Organic Law 2/1994, of March 24 (BOE no. 72, of March 25), and by Organic Law 11/1998, of December 30 (BOE no. 313, of December 31).
- Royal Decree 1388/1996, of June 7, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 156, of June 28).
CASTILLA – LA MANCHA
- Statute of Autonomy. Organic Law 9/1982, of August 10 (BOE no. 195, of August 16), amended by Organic Law 7/1994, of March 24 (BOE no. 72, of March 25) and by Organic Law 3/1997, of July 3 (BOE no. 159, of July 4).
- Royal Decree 376/1995, of March 10, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 93, of April 19; correction of errors in BOE no. 114, of May 13).
CASTILLA Y LEÓN
- Organic Law 14/2007, of November 30, on the reform of the Statute of Autonomy of Castilla y León —Article 71— (BOE no. 288, of December 1).
- Royal Decree 1687/1994, of July 22, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 216, of September 9).
CATALONIA
- Organic Law 6/2006, of July 19, on the reform of the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia —Article 118— (BOE no. 172, of July 20).
- Law 4/2008, of April 24, of the third book of the Civil Code of Catalonia, relating to legal entities (BOE no. 131 of May 30).
- Royal Decree 3526/1981, of December 29, on the transfer of services (BOE no. 47, of February 24, 1982).
- Royal Decree 1266/2007, of September 24, on the transfer of functions from the State Administration to the Generalitat of Catalonia regarding the declaration of public utility of associations and the application of tax benefits to associations and foundations (BOE no. 230, of September 25).
COMMUNITY OF MADRID
- Statute of Autonomy. Organic Law 3/1983, of February 25 (BOE no. 51, of March 1), amended by Organic Law 10/1994, of March 24 (BOE no. 72, of March 25) and by Organic Law 5/1998, of July 7 (BOE no. 162, of July 8).
- Royal Decree 2372/1994, of December 9, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 310, of December 28).
CHARTERED COMMUNITY OF NAVARRE
- Organic Law 13/1982, of August 10, on the reintegration and improvement of the Chartered Regime of Navarre —Article 44.19— (BOE no. 195, of August 16), amended by Organic Law 1/2001, of March 26 (BOE no. 75, of March 28) and by Organic Law 7/2010, of October 27 (BOE no. 261, of October 28).
- Royal Decree 225/1986, of January 24, on the transfer of services (BOE no. 36, of February 11).
VALENCIAN COMMUNITY
- Statute of Autonomy (Article 31.23). Organic Law 5/1982, of July 1 (BOE no. 164, of July 10), reformed by Organic Law 5/1994, of March 24 (BOE no. 72, of March 25) and by Organic Law 1/2006, of April 10 (BOE no. 86, of April 11).
- Royal Decree 1039/1985, of May 25, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 157, of July 2).
- Law 14/2008, of November 18, on Associations of the Valencian Community (DOCV no. 5900, of November 25; BOE no. 294, of December 6).
EXTREMADURA
- Organic Law 1/2011, of January 28, on the reform of the Statute of Autonomy of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura (BOE no. 25, of January 29).
- Royal Decree 62/1995, of January 24, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 40, of February 16).
GALICIA
- Organic Law 1/1981, of April 6, on the Statute of Autonomy for Galicia (BOE no. 101, of April 28).
- Organic Law 16/1995, of December 27, on the transfer of powers to the Galician Autonomous Community (BOE no. 310, of December 28).
- Royal Decree 1639/1996, of July 5, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 184, of July 31).
- Royal Decree 1080/2008, of June 30, on the expansion of functions of the State Administration transferred to the Autonomous Community of Galicia, regarding associations: Declaration of public utility of associations and application of tax benefits (BOE no. 158, of July 1).
BALEARIC ISLANDS
- Organic Law 1/2007, of February 28, on the reform of the Statute of Autonomy of the Balearic Islands (BOE no. 52, of March 1).
- Royal Decree 120/1995, of January 27, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 44, of February 21).
LA RIOJA
- Statute of Autonomy. Organic Law 3/1982, of June 9 (BOE no. 146, of June 19), amended by Organic Law 3/1994, of March 24 (BOE no. 72, of March 25) and by Organic Law 2/1999, of January 7 (BOE no. 7, of January 8).
- Royal Decree 2375/1994, of December 9, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 310, of December 28).
BASQUE COUNTRY
- Statute of Autonomy (Article 10.13). Organic Law 3/1979, of December 18 (BOE no. 306, of December 22).
- Royal Decree 2590/1985, of December 18, on transfers (BOE no. 11, of January 13, 1986).
- Law 7/2007, of June 22, on Associations of Euskadi (BOPV no. 134 ZK, of July 12; BOE no. 250, of October 17, 2011).
- Decree 145/2008, of July 29, approving the Regulations of the General Registry of Associations of the Basque Country (BOPV no. 162 ZK, of August 27).
- Decree 146/2008, of July 29, approving the Regulations on Public Utility Associations and their Protectorate (BOPV no. 162 ZK, of August 27).
PRINCIPALITY OF ASTURIAS
- Statute of Autonomy. Organic Law 7/1981, of December 30 (BOE no. 9, of January 11, 1982), amended by Organic Law 3/1991, of March 24 (BOE no. 72, of March 25), by Organic Law 1/1994, of March 24 (BOE no. 72, of March 25) and by Organic Law 1/1999, of January 7 (BOE no. 7, of January 8).
- Royal Decree 846/1995, of May 30, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 161, of July 7).
REGION OF MURCIA
- Statute of Autonomy. Organic Law 4/1982, of June 9 (BOE no. 146, of June 19), amended by Organic Law 1/1991, of March 13 (BOE no. 146, of June 19 and BOE no. 63, of March 14), by Organic Law 4/1994, of March 24 (BOE no. 72, of March 25), by Organic Law 1/1998, of June 15 (BOE no. 143, of June 16), by Organic Law 7/2013, of November 28 (BOE no. 286, of November 29) and by Organic Law 1/2021, of February 15 (BOE no. 40, of February 16).
- Royal Decree 1276/1994, of June 10, on the transfer of functions and services (BOE no. 154, of June 29).
Are there sector-specific regulations on associations?
Yes. Sectoral regulations are varied; among them, the following should be mentioned:
- Youth associations
- University student associations
- Sports associations
- Parent associations
- Consumer and user associations
Additionally, those referring to international development cooperation or volunteering should be mentioned.
What is the minimum number of people to form an Association?
The minimum number, whether natural or legal persons (duly constituted), is THREE. There is no maximum limit on the number of members. It is understood, in any case, that the intent is to unite the largest number of people to defend and promote the project.
Can foreign nationals form associations?
Yes, Organic Law 2/2009 granted this right to all Spaniards and foreigners on equal terms. In any case, they will need to obtain a NIE (Foreigner Identification Number) beforehand (from the appropriate authorities and for such purposes).
Is there a minimum financial or asset contribution to form an Association?
A minimum financial or asset contribution is not necessary. In any case, it should be taken into account that it will be necessary to pay registration fees, consultancy fees, etc… so it is advisable to have a plan to cover them.
Associations. IN DIEM Legal Services.
IN DIEM Lawyers is composed of professionals with experience in previous roles such as Magistrate-Judge, State Attorney, Prosecutor, or University Professor, who will provide you with peace of mind and security, offering the best team, competitive and highly prepared to achieve your goals and meet your needs.
The services you will find, as an example, in our IN DIEM Association Lawyers area are the following:
Constitution of Associations
Statutes: Drafting, Modification, and Processing.
Internal Regulations: Drafting, Modification, and Processing.
Disciplinary Regime: Drafting, Modification, and Processing.
Registry of Associations: Processing.
Sanctioning Procedures. Disciplinary Regime. Processing and Assistance.
Litigation. Judicial Procedures and Complaints.
Sanctioning Procedures. Disciplinary Regime. Processing and Assistance.
Legal Assistance to the Board of Directors. Advisory. Secretariat.
Legal Assistance to the General Assembly. Advisory. Secretariat.
Furthermore, these services from our IN DIEM Association Lawyers department are carried out —when necessary— on an urgent and 24-hour basis; for more info, here.

Lawyer for Associations. IN DIEM: All Spain.
IN DIEM Lawyers carries out its advisory and defense activities in association matters throughout ALL OF SPAIN, covering the entire national territory. Ask about our prices.
We are at your disposal for whatever you need. You can reach us via the IN DIEM Lawyers Telephone (+34) 901 900 071. In case of Emergencies, you can reach us at the IN DIEM 24-Hour Emergency Lawyers Telephone: (+34) 610 667 452.
Offices in: Seville, Malaga, Madrid, Las Palmas, Almeria, and more…
We can also assist you at our offices —among others— in: Malaga, Seville, Madrid, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Almeria, Huelva, and more…
That’s right, you will also find us at our offices in Dos Hermanas, Estepona, Marbella, Tomares, Mairena del Alcor, Coria del Río, Mairena del Aljarafe,…
Specialist Lawyer in Associations. 24 Hours. Emergencies.
IN DIEM has a specialized area called IN DIEM Association Lawyers with a 24-hour Emergency service for any incident or mishap that may occur; the 24-Hour Emergency Lawyers Telephone IN DIEM: (+34) 610 667 452.
The specialist lawyer knows the rights, processing, and consequently, will ensure that your guarantees assist you at all times, advising you on what you should and should not do; for this, you have our Association Lawyers | IN DIEM area.
For the resolution of judicial problems that arise in these cases, full availability of the lawyer is fundamental, and from IN DIEM Lawyers we guarantee urgent and immediate intervention and the best tools for your defense.