Being locked out in a city where you don't speak the language well feels worse than it is. The good news: in almost every case the door can be opened, you get back in the same day, and the price can be agreed before anyone sets off. This guide walks you through the next hour, in order.
If you're standing at the door right now: call me or send a WhatsApp on +34 663 48 41 13. I'm Ismael, a self-employed locksmith, and I speak English. I'll ask you a few quick questions, give you a price and tell you when I'll be there.
The first five minutes
- Check that nobody is at risk. If a child, an elderly or vulnerable person is inside, or something is cooking on the stove, call 112 first. That is the emergency number across Spain and they have English-speaking operators.
- Think about spare keys. A flatmate, your partner at work, the landlord, the agency that manages the flat, or a neighbour who keeps a copy. Many older buildings in Madrid still have a portero (a caretaker) during the day who may know who has one.
- Look at how the door is shut. Was it just pulled closed behind you, or did you lock it with the key? This matters for the price, and I'll ask you.
- Don't try to force it. Pushing a card in, kicking the door or poking at the lock usually ends with a broken latch or a damaged frame, and a bigger bill.
- Save your address. Have the street, number, floor and door letter ready (for example "3º B"). In Madrid flats are named by floor and letter, and getting it right saves time.
Who to call in Madrid
It depends on your situation:
- Renting long term: try your landlord or letting agency first. If they don't pick up, or it's late, call a locksmith.
- Staying in a tourist flat: message your host before anything else. I've written a separate guide on getting locked out of an Airbnb.
- Danger or a medical issue: 112, straight away.
- Simply locked out, nobody with a key nearby: a locksmith. The police and fire brigade don't open doors for ordinary lockouts.
When you search online in a hurry, you'll see lots of adverts. Some are call centres that pass your job to whoever is free and quote one price on the phone and another at the door. Ask who will actually come, and get the full price before they set off.
What happens when I arrive
First I check that you live or stay there. I'll ask for your ID or passport and something linking you to the address: a rental contract, a bill, or a booking confirmation. If your documents are inside, we look at them as soon as the door is open. It may feel like a formality, but it's what stops a stranger getting into your home.
Then I open the door. When a door was just pulled shut, it usually opens without damage and nothing needs replacing. If the lock was double-locked or something does need changing, I explain it and give you the price first. Nothing extra is fitted unless you say yes. You get an invoice (factura) at the end, always.
How much it costs
A lockout opening is €150–250, call-out included. Where you fall in that range depends on:
- the door: standard, puerta blindada (armoured door) or acorazada (reinforced steel door);
- the lock fitted to it;
- whether it was only pulled shut or locked with the key;
- how far I have to travel.
I give you the exact figure on the phone before I leave, also at night or on a Sunday, and that's what you pay. If you then want the cylinder changed (for example because the keys were lost or stolen), a new bombín (the lock cylinder) starts from €150. Full details are on my prices page.
Locked out in Toledo
The same steps apply in Toledo. One difference: in the old town the streets are narrow, steep and cobbled, and a van can't always park at your door. Tell me the nearest square or landmark when you call, and send your location by WhatsApp if you can. I have a base in Fuensalida, in the province of Toledo, and cover both the old town and the newer areas. More on the Toledo page.
Why call me
- I speak English, so you can explain the problem properly and understand the price.
- No call centre. The person who answers the phone is the person who comes to your door.
- Price agreed before I set off, with no surprises at the door.
- 24 hours, every day, across central Madrid and Toledo.
- Invoice every time, useful for your landlord, host or insurance.
- An honest arrival time. I don't promise minutes over the phone; I check the route on Google Maps and tell you the real time.
The WhatsApp button on the site asks to share your location and sends it to me as a Google Maps link, so I know exactly where you are. It's handy if your battery is low or you'd rather write than talk.
If a Spanish-speaking friend is helping you, they can read my Madrid page in Spanish.
Take a breath. Being locked out is a nuisance, not a disaster. Call or WhatsApp me on +34 663 48 41 13, tell me where you are and how the door is closed, and I'll give you a price and a time straight away.
Frequently asked questions
Will the police open my door in Madrid if I'm locked out?
Not for an ordinary lockout. Call 112 if someone inside is in danger or something is on the stove; otherwise you need a locksmith or someone with a spare key.
How much does an emergency locksmith cost in Madrid?
With me, opening a door costs €150–250 with the call-out included. The exact figure depends on the door, the lock and the distance, and I tell you before I set off.
Do I need to show ID to the locksmith?
Yes. Before opening I check your ID and something linking you to the flat, like a rental contract or booking. If they're inside, we check them once the door is open.
Will the door be damaged?
A door that was only pulled shut usually opens without damage. If anything needs replacing, I tell you the price first and only fit it if you agree.