The Life Cycle of a Norm
A law is not born when politicians shake hands. It follows a strict life cycle with distinct legal consequences at every step.
| Stage | Legal effect |
|---|---|
| Enactment | Parliament passes it; text exists, binds no one yet |
| Publication | Appears in the Official Gazette (BOE); ignorance no longer excuses |
| Entry into force | The norm starts applying |
| Repeal | Later law displaces the old rule |
Vacatio legis: By default, a 20-day grace period runs between publication and entry into force so people can adapt.
Common pitfall: Assuming the 20-day vacatio legis is universal. It is only a default; a norm can enter into force immediately or months later. Always check the final provisions first.
Temporal Validity & Repeal
Norms die by express repeal (the new law lists what it kills) or tacit repeal (incompatibility). Laws never lapse from mere disuse.
Non-retroactivity: The Constitution guarantees that norms govern only the future. You cannot be sanctioned under a rule that did not exist when you acted.
Exception: Favorable retroactivity is allowed, meaning a lighter penalty can reach back in time.
Business planning: Contracts are judged by the law in force when concluded, and taxes by their accrual period. Transitional provisions dictate which situations follow the old rule versus the new.