How Much Does a Private Detective Cost in Málaga? Prices & Fees 2026

It is the first question any agency receives: how much does it cost to hire a private detective in Málaga? The short answer: a surveillance investigation starts at €400 per day, and most cases are resolved for between €500 and €2,000 in total. The full answer depends on the type of investigation, its duration and complexity — and that is what we break down in this guide.

Indicative fees for a private detective in Málaga (2026)

• Infidelity investigation: between €800 and €2,000. Most cases are resolved in 2–5 surveillance days in Málaga city or the Costa del Sol.
• Sick-leave fraud: between €500 and €1,500. Two to four days are usually sufficient to document activities incompatible with the declared incapacity.
• Cohabitation verification (to cancel a compensatory pension): between €600 and €1,500, depending on the subject's lifestyle pattern.
• People location: simple localisations (debtors, tenants, relatives) are quoted at a fixed fee; complex cases are priced individually.
• Asset investigation: from €600. In Málaga it is common to combine this with detection of undeclared holiday lets, which may require additional days.
• Child custody: between €800 and €2,000, depending on the number of verifications requested by the solicitor.
• Court ratification of the report: some agencies charge this separately; at Octopus Detectives, availability to ratify before the courts of Málaga is included in the quote.

These ranges are indicative. Each case receives a fixed quote before work begins, with no small print. Be wary of anyone who gives you an exact price without knowing your case — or of abnormally low rates, which usually hide investigators without an official licence.

What factors determine the price in Málaga?

• Number of surveillance days: the main factor. A subject with predictable routines costs less than an erratic one.
• Number of detectives required: surveillance in high-traffic areas (Málaga city centre, Marbella in summer) may require two operatives to avoid losing the subject.
• Travel: in our case, the entire province of Málaga and the Costa del Sol are covered at the same rate, with no surcharge.
• Urgency: activating an operation in under 24 hours may carry an additional cost.
• Technical resources: advanced OSINT investigations or electronic sweeps are quoted as specific services.

What is (or should be) included in the quote?

A professional detective quote in Málaga must include: the investigation days with their schedule, the complete expert report with photographs and video, the chain of custody of the evidence, and the conditions for ratification in court. If any of these are charged as an unannounced "extra", that is a red flag.

Can the cost of the detective be recovered?

In many cases, yes — directly or indirectly:

• In fraudulent sick-leave cases, the company stops paying undue allowances and avoids an unfair dismissal claim: the return usually far exceeds the investigation cost.
• In cancellation of a compensatory pension for cohabitation, the monthly saving amortises the investigation within a few months.
• In child maintenance cases, proving the ex-partner's real income can modify the amount payable for years.
• In some proceedings, detective fees may be included in court costs if the tribunal so decides.

Frequently asked questions about detective fees in Málaga

Is the first consultation free?

Yes. At Octopus Detectives the first consultation is free and confidential: we assess your case, tell you honestly whether the investigation is viable, and give you a fixed quote. You only decide afterwards.

Do you charge more for working in Marbella or the Costa del Sol?

No. The entire province of Málaga is our team's regular area of operation and we apply the same rate as in Málaga city, with no travel surcharges.

What if the investigation produces no results?

The detective invoices for the work carried out, not for the outcome — the law prohibits guaranteeing results. However, a good prior assessment avoids unproductive days: that is why we only accept viable cases and design the strategy before going into the field.

Is the report valid before the courts of Málaga?

Yes. All reports are signed by a detective with a TIP licence from the Ministry of the Interior and are fully valid before the family, labour and commercial courts of Málaga, with the possibility of ratification in court if required.

For information about our services across the province, visit our private detectives in Málaga page or our Costa del Sol page. You can also read the general price guide for private detectives.