Employment Lawyer
Canary Islands

You have only 20 working days from the date of your dismissal to file a conciliation claim with the SMAC. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to claim. Contact us as soon as possible after receiving your dismissal letter — we can assess your case the same day.

If your dismissal is declared unfair (despido improcedente), you are entitled to 33 days' pay per year of service (capped at 24 monthly payments) for employment contracts signed after February 2012. Older contracts may have different rates. We calculate your exact entitlement during the free consultation.

Dismissing an employee on sick leave is not automatically prohibited in Spain, but it is subject to strict conditions. If the dismissal is declared unfair, you receive standard severance. If the dismissal is linked to the illness and considered discriminatory, it may be declared null — meaning reinstatement or higher compensation.

Yes, Spanish employment law is complex and significantly different from UK, German or other European employment law. Deadlines are very short, procedures are specific, and collective agreements vary by sector. Having an English-speaking lawyer who understands both the legal system and your situation as an expat makes a significant difference to the outcome.

The SMAC (Servicio de Mediación, Arbitraje y Conciliación) is a mandatory pre-litigation step for most employment claims in Spain. You must file a conciliation application before you can take the employer to the Labour Tribunal. We manage this process for you and use it as an opportunity to negotiate a settlement where possible.