Top Law Schools in Spain in 2026

Spain’s civil-law system and updated universities make it a strong option for legal studies. In recent years, interest from abroad has grown, especially in Barcelona and Madrid, where classes often include students from more than 20 countries. Bilingual and English-taught programs make programs accessible to non-Spanish speakers, public-university fees are comparatively low, and many schools maintain close links with Latin America.

School rankings also support this picture: the University of Barcelona (2nd in Spain and 80th in Europe in the 2025 EduRank list), Pompeu Fabra University, and ESADE regularly place near the top in national and European tables.

So, Which Are the Best Law Schools in Spain?

Some of the top options for prospective law students in Spain include:

University of Barcelona (UB)

The University of Barcelona’s Faculty of Law is regularly listed as the best law school in Spain. EduRank places UB second nationally and 80th in Europe, while Ionsapp’s 2025 list also ranks it 2nd nationally and 77th in Europe. Its rigorous academic offerings and enduring reputation make it the highest‑ranked law school in Barcelona.

Programs and features

• UB offers a comprehensive Grado en Derecho (Bachelor of Law) and a wide range of master’s and doctoral programs. 
• Specialized master’s degrees include business law, environmental law and the mandatory Máster de Acceso a la Abogacía. 
• The campus hosts modern facilities, specialized law libraries and student societies. Moot‑court competitions and legal clinics provide practical training, while an extensive alumni network connects students with judges, lawyers and diplomats. 

Pompeu Fabra University (UPF)

Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona is among Spain’s top public universities. The university offers LL.M. degrees in labour and social security law, criminal law and compliance, taught jointly with UPF’s Barcelona School of Management. 

Studying at UPF gives students the unique chance to learn Catalan while benefiting from strong research output and international partnerships.

Programs and features

• UPF offers the Grau en Dret (Law Degree) and research-oriented graduate programs, plus practice-focused LL.M. options delivered with UPF Barcelona School of Management.
• Specializations include Labor & Social Security Law, Criminal Law & Compliance, and European/International law tracks.
• The campus emphasizes multilingual study (Catalan/Spanish/English), and strong links to Barcelona firms. Clinics, debates, and Themis/exchange networks provide hands-on experience and international exposure.

ESADE Law School (Ramon Llull University)

ESADE Law School (under Ramon Llull University) is Spain’s top private university for studying law. Established in 1992, it is renowned for innovation and a strong international focus. The school’s excellence is reflected in national rankings: it is #1 in Spain for recruiting law masters and #2 for law‑graduate recruitment according to El Confidencial; several of its master’s programs are ranked #2 or #3 by El Mundo. 

Programs and features

• ESADE offers a Bachelor in Law, double degrees (Law + Business / Global Governance), and a portfolio of master’s programs including International Business Law, Tax Consultancy & Management, ICT & IP Law, and the Double Master in Legal Practice.
• Programs are designed with close input from top Spanish and international firms, and the Máster de Acceso pathway is deeply integrated with practice.
• Modern campuses in Barcelona–Sant Cugat and Madrid feature dedicated legal labs, career services, and moot opportunities. Strong recruiter preference and alumni ties translate into high placement.

IE Law School

IE Law School, headquartered in Madrid and Segovia, enjoys a global reputation for training lawyers and legal consultants with an international profile, and is recognized worldwide for the high standards of its graduates. Its programs cover comparative law, business law, and technology-law intersections, with options to combine law with international relations or business. IE’s comparative law methodology and English‑taught programs also attract students seeking cross‑border careers.

Programs and features

• IE offers a fully English-taught Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in Madrid or Segovia, plus the LL.M. in International Business Law and an Executive LL.M. with Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
• Clinics, venture labs and extensive study-abroad and exchange options foster a global profile, while career services and an active alumni network support placements in Spain and abroad.

University of Navarra

The University of Navarra, founded as a law school in 1952, remains a leading private institution. Law is still its flagship faculty, and the university offers a broad range of LL.M. programs in business, human rights and tax law, taught in English. Located in Pamplona, it provides a bilingual and multicultural environment. 

Programs and features

• UNAV offers the Grado en Derecho (Spanish) with add-on diplomas (Global Business Law, Business & Economics, Political Leadership) and multiple double degrees (Law + IR/Philosophy/BBA).
• Postgraduate options include LL.M. programs in business, human rights and tax, and many are taught in English.
• Pamplona’s campus combines rigorous academics with mentoring, clinics and a strong global alumni community. Frequent partnerships and exchanges connect students to firms and NGOs.

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)

UC3M is a public university known for excellent job placement. Nearly 90% of its graduates secure employment, and it has been ranked highly by Times Higher Education. The university offers LL.M. programs in European Union law, intellectual property, human rights and business law. Many programs are bilingual or English‑friendly, and tuition fees are modest compared with private institutions.

Programs and features

• UC3M delivers the Grado en Derecho and a broad LL.M. catalog, including European Union Law (EN/ES), Intellectual Property, Advanced Human Rights Studies, Business Legal Advice and Civil Liability.
• The Máster de Acceso a la Abogacía is offered alongside sector-specific master’s that balance theory and applied skills.
• With strong employer links and competitive placement rates, students benefit from clinics, moots, and partnerships across EU institutions.

Complutense University of Madrid

One of the oldest and largest universities in the world, Complutense University of Madrid offers a wide range of legal courses. Programs include tax law and financial institutions law, and even a Spanish law course held on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. The university also runs summer courses in the historic San Lorenzo del Escorial monastery town and maintains exchange programs throughout Europe and the United States. 

Programs and features

• UCM provides the Grado en Derecho and a wide spectrum of specialist postgraduate courses, including Tax Law and Financial Institutions Law, with opportunities to study Spanish Law abroad (e.g., Puerto Rico).
• Summer schools in San Lorenzo de El Escorial and numerous Erasmus/exchange pathways broaden academic options.
• Its scale brings extensive library holdings, student associations and moot teams, while Madrid’s legal market supports internships and early practice exposure.

Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economía (ISDE)

ISDE is a private institution with strong ties to law firms and industry. It is ranked by the QS publication and is noted for blending theory and practice. Programs cover niche areas such as investment arbitration, sports management, foreign trade and international relations. Close collaboration with business partners and an extensive alumni network give students direct access to professional opportunities. 

Programs and features

• ISDE focuses on practice-intensive postgraduate training, with LL.M. programs in Investment Arbitration, Sports Law, Foreign Trade, International Relations and more.
• Many programs are delivered with participation from leading firms and in English or bilingual formats.
• Its practitioner-led model, placements during study and an international alumni network are key features for students seeking rapid integration into practice.

Comillas Pontifical University

Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid is a business‑focused law school that integrates management, political science and public administration into its legal curriculum. Its LL.M. in International and European Business Law prepares students to become legal advisors to corporations and law firms around the world. 

Programs and features

• Comillas (ICADE) offers the Grado en Derecho, double degrees combining Law with Business or International Relations, and an LL.M. in International & European Business Law.
• Curricula blend legal training with management, public policy and ethics, preparing students for corporate advisory roles.
• Close connections with Madrid’s corporate law ecosystem, strong careers support and active alumni foster internships and placements.

What Else You Need to Know

How the Higher‑Education System Works for Law Students

Spain follows the Bologna Process, structuring university education into three cycles: Grado (Bachelor), Máster (Master) and Doctorado (Doctorate). 

A Bachelor of Law (Grado en Derecho) usually requires 240 ECTS credits over four academic years. Students wishing to practice law must then complete the Máster de Acceso a la Abogacía, a one‑year master’s program that provides 60 additional credits and prepares them for the bar exam. Doctoral programs focus on legal research.

Spanish universities are categorized as public or private:

• Public universities receive state funding and generally have lower tuition. They emphasize research and have well‑established reputations. 
• Private universities tend to offer flexible admissions and specialized programs but charge higher fees. 

Dual‑degree programs (e.g., Law + Business or Law + International Studies) and integrated curricula are increasingly common, reflecting a demand for multidisciplinary skills.

Accreditation and International Recognition

Law programs in Spain are accredited by the National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA), part of the Spanish Ministry of Education. Regional agencies work with ANECA to ensure quality across Spain’s decentralized university system. All law degrees align with the Bologna Process and the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) to facilitate mobility and degree recognition within Europe.

Spanish law degrees enjoy broad international recognition. They are widely accepted within the European Higher Education Area, and reforms have streamlined homologación (the recognition process for foreign‑trained lawyers) to reduce administrative delays. Spain also offers English‑taught programs and partnerships with global institutions, making Spanish qualifications valuable for international careers. Graduates seeking to practice outside the EU may need to meet additional local requirements, such as passing conversion exams or demonstrating language proficiency.

Historical Context of Spanish Law

‍

Spanish law is rooted in Roman legal traditions. The Spanish Civil Code, drafted in the 19th century, established a comprehensive civil‑law framework that relies on codified statutes rather than judicial precedent. 

Although modern courts increasingly reference previous decisions for complex regulatory matters, statutes remain the system’s backbone. Spain’s legal codes have influenced legal education throughout Latin America and even in countries like Cuba, underscoring the country’s transatlantic reach.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you study law in Spain in English? 

Yes. Several universities offer English‑taught programs, including IE University and ESADE Law School. IE’s Bachelor of Laws program and ESADE’s bilingual degrees cover Spanish and international legal frameworks. Joint degrees like the Erasmus Mundus Master in International Law are also available.

Are Spanish law degrees recognized abroad? 

Spanish law degrees are recognized across Europe thanks to mutual recognition directives. Outside the EU, recognition depends on bilateral agreements; graduates may need to complete further studies or pass local exams. Spain’s digital homologación process has simplified foreign degree recognition.

What are typical tuition fees? 

Tuition varies widely. Public universities charge about €700–€2,500 per year for EU students. Private institutions are more expensive: IE University averages €31,700 annually, while ESADE and the University of Navarra charge between €10,000 and €24,000. Students should also budget for living costs (≈€900–€1,500 per month in cities like Madrid and Barcelona). Scholarships and financial aid are available at most universities.

How competitive is admission to top law schools? 

Admission is highly competitive. Public universities require high entrance exam scores (EVAU/EBAU), with law programs having some of the highest cut‑off marks in Spain. Private schools like ESADE, IE and the University of Navarra use multi‑stage admissions that evaluate academic records, personal statements and interviews. Strong grades, early applications and proof of language competence (Spanish or English) increase your chances.

What makes Spanish law schools uniquely advantageous? 

Spain’s universities blend traditional legal education with cutting‑edge perspectives on technology, human rights and global business. Many institutions offer English‑taught programs and support international exchanges. Spanish law degrees are globally relevant due to strong ties with Latin America, Bologna Process alignment and ongoing reforms that facilitate international mobility. Affordable tuition at public universities and robust scholarship options make top‑tier legal education accessible. Graduates emerge with practical skills and international networks that open doors in Spain and abroad.

‍