Gestoría or lawyer for immigration? Who does what and when

What each one does

A gestoría (administrative agent’s office)

An administrative agent (gestor administrativo) is a professional registered with their professional association. They handle matters before the authorities that do not require the legal expertise reserved for lawyers. They also keep their clients informed of how the procedure is going (Decree 424/1963, art. 1). They act as representatives before the authorities (art. 2).

In immigration matters, they can submit applications online on behalf of another person. To do so, they must have signed up to an enabling agreement (convenio de habilitación) (RD 1155/2024, art. 197.4.b).

A lawyer

Only a lawyer can conduct and defend a party’s case in court. Legal advice is also their role (Organic Law of the Judiciary, art. 542.1). In immigration matters, you need one above all to go to court and for international protection (asylum).

Non-profit organisations and public services

Some trade unions and non-profit organisations are on the Electronic Register of Immigration Collaborators (Registro Electrónico de Colaboradores de Extranjería). They can submit applications on your behalf, without charging for it (RD 1155/2024, art. 197.4.c; Order ISM/164/2026). Some town halls also have immigration information services.

Anyone with a power of attorney

Anyone can submit your application if their authority to represent you is proven. A notarial power of attorney or an apud acta authorisation in the electronic register of powers of attorney is accepted (art. 197.4.a). And you can always submit it yourself, in person or online (art. 197.1).

Us: a private procedures service

Un Papel Menos is not a gestoría or a law firm. We help you with the paperwork on the administrative route: we review your case, prepare your file and follow it up with you. We do not handle the court route or asylum. We explain this in how we work and about us.

When you need a lawyer

• To go to court. If you are refused and want to appeal before a court, you always need a lawyer. Before a collegiate court, such as the High Court of Justice (Tribunal Superior de Justicia), you also need a court representative (procurador) (Law 29/1998, art. 23). If the refusal is explicit, the time limit is 2 months from when you are notified (art. 46).
• To apply for asylum or international protection. You are entitled to legal assistance at no cost throughout the procedure (Law 12/2009, art. 16.2). It is a separate service, which we do not provide.
• If expulsion or return proceedings are opened against you, or you are refused entry. If you do not have sufficient means, you are entitled to a legal aid lawyer (abogado de oficio) at no cost (Law 1/1996, art. 2.e).
• If your case raises a complex legal question, for example disciplinary proceedings (expediente sancionador).

A legal aid lawyer is requested from the bar association (colegio de la abogacía) where the court is located. You can also request one at the court where you live (Law 1/1996, art. 12).

When you do not need a lawyer

Arraigo, renewals, family reunification or residence for family members are on the administrative route. So is the TIE (foreigner identity card). You can do them yourself, with a procedures service like ours or with any of the professionals above.

Before going to court, you can file an appeal for reconsideration (recurso potestativo de reposición). It is also on the administrative route and has a time limit of 1 month (Law 39/2015, art. 124). We explain it in the appeal for reconsideration.

How to choose who helps you

• Ask exactly what they are. If they present themselves as a gestoría or as a lawyer, ask for their registration number and check it with the professional association.
• Ask for a fixed price in writing, with the government fee separate.
• Be wary of anyone who promises you the outcome or a date. The decision always belongs to the authorities.
• Be wary of anyone selling appointments. Appointments with the authorities have no cost.
• Do not send your documents on WhatsApp. Ask for a secure channel.

What is specific to Barcelona

• SAIER. Barcelona City Council (Ajuntament de Barcelona) has a municipal service at no cost for people who live in the city: the Service for Immigrants, Emigrants and Refugees (Servicio de Atención a Inmigrantes, Emigrantes y Refugiados). It gives information on immigration and international protection, by appointment.
• PIA. The City Council’s Information and Arraigo Point (Punto de Información y Arraigo) answers questions about arraigo and the integration report.
• Other towns. Sant Cugat, Badalona and other town halls have their own services. We cover them in immigration procedures in Barcelona and its province.

Common mistakes

• Thinking every immigration procedure needs a lawyer. Most are on the administrative route.
• Missing the appeal deadline while you look for help: 1 month for reconsideration and 2 months for the courts.
• Hiring someone who advertises as “official”. No private service is the government.
• Paying for an appointment. It is a public service.

Can we help you with the procedure?

If your case is on the administrative route, tell us about your situation: we review your case and give you the fixed price before we start. If you need to go to court or it is an asylum case, we tell you clearly: you need a lawyer or a specialised organisation, and it is a separate service.

• If you have been refused, see the appeal for reconsideration.
• If you are looking for your first authorisation, see the types of arraigo.

We work from Barcelona and online: find out about our immigration procedures service in Barcelona.