Labour inspections and how to file a complaint

Overview

The Inspección de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (ITSS) is the government body responsible for enforcing labour law in Spain. If you believe your employer is breaking the rules — unpaid wages, unregistered work, unsafe conditions — you can file a formal complaint (denuncia).

Requirements

• Available to any worker, regardless of nationality or immigration status
• You don't need a lawyer to file a complaint, though legal advice can help you prepare it

Step-by-step process

• Prepare a written account of the issue: which Labour Inspectorate provincial office covers your workplace, your contact details, the facts, and when they happened
• Submit it in person at the provincial ITSS office, online with a digital certificate, or by post to the relevant provincial office
• Alternatively, use the anonymous ITSS 'buzón' (mailbox) for reporting irregularities — though anonymous reports may not always trigger a formal investigation the way a signed complaint does
• Cooperate with any follow-up the ITSS requests as they investigate

Required documents

• Written complaint (escrito de denuncia)
• Any supporting evidence — payslips, contracts, messages, photos

Common mistakes

• Filing anonymously when a signed complaint would trigger a more thorough investigation — your identity as a complainant is legally protected regardless
• Not including specific dates and facts, which makes the complaint harder to act on

Practical tips

• ITSS staff are legally required to keep your identity and the details of your complaint confidential
• For issues like unpaid wages or undeclared work, gathering evidence (payslips, messages, witnesses) before filing strengthens your case

How Tuchati can help

If you're considering filing a complaint and want help understanding the process or what to include, Tuchati can walk you through it.