Rules on public safety, ID checks, weapons and fines

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The law defines citizen security as the protection of people and property and the maintenance of public tranquility, and sets out its goals, such as guaranteeing the free exercise of fundamental rights and the normal functioning of institutions.
2. The National Identity Document (DNI) is mandatory from age fourteen and allows electronic identification and electronic signatures. Holders must show it when asked by officers and report its loss or theft.
3. Officers may require identification only if there are signs of involvement in an offense or if it is reasonably necessary to prevent a crime. If a person cannot be identified, they may be asked to go to the nearest police station for at most six hours. External body searches are regulated for the first time: they must be superficial, performed by an officer of the same sex and cause the least possible harm.
4. Authorities may issue orders, restrict traffic, carry out checks, use video cameras and adopt extraordinary measures such as clearing premises or evacuating buildings in emergencies. At demonstrations, dissolution is a last resort and, unless urgent, those affected must be warned first.
5. Offenses are classified as minor, serious and very serious, with fines of €100 to €600, €601 to €30,000 and €30,001 to €600,000 respectively. Minors under fourteen are exempt from liability, and voluntary payment within fifteen days cuts the fine by 50% for minor and serious offenses.
6. A Central Register of Offenses against Citizen Security is created to detect repeat offenders; entries are erased after three, two or one year depending on whether the offense was very serious, serious or minor. The law takes effect on July 1, 2015 and repeals Organic Laworganic law A law on fundamental rights, the electoral system or other matters the Constitution reserves. It needs an absolute majority in the Congreso: 176 votes. 1/1992.

Who it affects

• Spanish citizens: Must hold a national ID card from age fourteen and show it when officers ask.
• People identified by the police: Can be taken to a police station only for identification and for at most six hours.
• Organizers of meetings and demonstrations: Are liable for certain offenses and can see the event dissolved as a last resort.
• Hotels, phone providers, jewelers and other sensitive businesses: Must keep documentary records and report data to the authorities.
• Weapons and explosives holders: Need restrictive licenses and permits and are subject to Civil Guard inspections.

Words worth knowing

Ley orgánica (organic law)

A law reserved for major matters, such as fundamental rights, which requires a special majority in the Congress of Deputies (Congreso de los Diputados).

Registro corporal externo (external body search)

A superficial search of a person's body, for example to find dangerous objects, without undressing.

Reincidencia (repeat offending)

Committing a similar offense again after having been sanctioned for a previous one.

Prescripción (statute of limitations)

The period after which an offense can no longer be punished or the fine enforced.

Firme en vía administrativa (final under administrative channels)

A decision that can no longer be reviewed by the administration itself, though courts may still hear an appeal.

organic law

A law on fundamental rights, the electoral system or other matters the Constitution reserves. It needs an absolute majority in the Congreso: 176 votes.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries