Metal Detecting in Spain

Spain’s rules differ between autonomous communities, so advice for one region should never be treated as permission for the whole country. In Madrid, detector use outside protected areas still requires heritage authorisation even when archaeological searching is not the purpose. Other regions have different procedures and exceptions, including specific provisions for beaches. Check the regional heritage rules, municipal restrictions and conditions for the exact place before searching. Dates matter too: Andalusia adopted a new heritage law in 2026, but its main detector provisions are scheduled to take effect on 7 April 2027. Do not apply those future provisions as though they were already in force.