Hiring a Private Detective in Granada: The Complete 2026 Guide

Hiring a private detective for the first time is unfamiliar territory for most people. What exactly are you paying for? How do you know the agency is legitimate? What will the process look like? This guide answers the most important questions before you decide.

Step 1: Verify the detective's licence

Before anything else, verify that the person you are hiring is a licensed private detective under Spanish law. Requirements:

• TIP (Professional Identification Card) issued by the Ministry of the Interior.
• Registration in the National Security Personnel Registry (RNSP).

Ask directly: "What is your TIP number?" Any legitimate agency will give it to you immediately. Evidence gathered by an unlicensed investigator has no legal value in Spanish courts.

Octopus Detectives: TIP 6206 · RNSP 11655.

Step 2: The first consultation

A professional agency offers a free and confidential first consultation — by phone, video call or in person. In this consultation:

• You explain your situation in broad terms (no obligation to go into all the details at this stage).
• The detective assesses whether the investigation is legally viable and practically feasible.
• You receive an honest answer: whether it can be done, whether it is worth it, and approximately what it would cost.
• If the case is not viable, a good detective will tell you — and perhaps point you towards a better option.

Step 3: The fixed quote

Before any work begins, you should receive a written fixed quote detailing:

• Number of planned investigation days and estimated schedule.
• Total cost with no open meter.
• What is included: surveillance, report, photographs, video, chain of custody.
• Conditions for court ratification (ideally included in the price).
• Payment conditions: typically 50% in advance, 50% on delivery of the report.

Avoid agencies that charge by the hour without a clear ceiling, or that do not specify in writing what is included.

Step 4: The investigation

The detective works in public spaces, within the law, without your involvement. You should not follow the subject yourself, contact the detective repeatedly during the operation, or change the agreed brief without warning — any of these can complicate or compromise the investigation.

In a standard surveillance operation:

• The detective positions themselves near the subject's known locations.
• Documents movements, contacts and activities with photography and video.
• Maintains a detailed log with date, time and GPS location.
• Provides you with updates agreed in advance (daily, at the end of each working day, etc.).

Step 5: The expert report

At the end of the investigation you receive an expert report that includes:

• Factual narrative description of observed events.
• Dated and geolocated photographs and/or video footage.
• Chain of custody of the evidence.
• The detective's professional signature and TIP number.
• Conclusions based solely on observed facts (not opinions).

This report is the document your solicitor will use in family, civil or labour proceedings. It can be submitted as expert evidence and the detective can ratify it in court under cross-examination.

Common questions

Can I be present during the investigation?

No. Your presence would compromise the investigation and could create legal problems. The detective works independently.

What if no evidence is found?

The detective invoices for the work done, not for the result. However, a good prior assessment minimises unproductive days.

How long does an investigation take?

It depends on the case. Simple cohabitation verifications can be resolved in 1–2 days. Complex infidelity or asset investigations typically require 3–7 days spread over two to four weeks.