Law of Spain

Module 2

The Constitution and national institutions: the parliamentary monarchy, the Crown, the Cortes Generales, the Government, the administration and elections

Spain is a **social and democratic State governed by the rule of law**, whose **political form is the parliamentary monarchy** (Articles 1 and 2). **Sovereignty belongs to the Spanish people**, the Constitution rests on **the indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation** and recognises **the right to autonomy** of its nationalities and regions, and **Castilian Spanish** is the official language of the State, with other languages **co-official** in their communities (Module 3). Power is divided among a **King** who is head of state but not of government, the **Cortes Generales** (Congress and Senate), a **Government** answerable to the Congress, **independent courts** and a **Constitutional Court**. For a foreigner, the most important institutions are the **ministries and offices** that issue **permits, numbers and certificates**. This module explains the institutions. Seat numbers and electoral details **change**, so they are not stated.

General education on the law of Spain, using invented people and businesses. It states laws and procedures in simplified form and is not legal advice. The law and its practice change, and every case turns on its facts, the region and the authority concerned. It does not offer legal representation or a legal opinion on any case. Consult a Spanish abogado for any real matter.