Digitising old photos in Spain: services and prices
· 2 min read · The Memory Palace Team
If your family's photos are in Spain, or you live there, this short guide gives the resolution the Spanish culture ministry sets and verified prices from four Spanish services. For the full method comparison, read old photos, slides and negatives: scan, phone or service.
Last checked: 6 October 2026.
The short answer
Scan prints at 600 dpi, keep a TIFF master and a JPEG copy, and send hundreds of slides or negatives to a service.
Resolution, according to the Spanish culture ministry
The security digitisation guidelines of the Spanish state archives set at least 600 dpi for photographic prints, 900 dpi for glass plates and transparencies, and 3,200 dpi or more for 35 mm negatives and slides. TIFF is the preservation format.
Four services in Spain
| Service | Prints | 35 mm slides and negatives | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| FotoScaner (Sabadell) | €0.30 to €0.60 depending on quality, up to A4 | €0.20 to €0.35 | JPG or TIF; download link free |
| Copiadigital (Murcia) | Up to A4, same unit price | €0.90 for 1 to 49, down to €0.40 from 1,000 | Shipping both ways €11.90 on the mainland |
| Photofilms Madrid | Not stated on this page | €0.70 for 1 to 49, down to €0.30 from 1,000 | JPEG, colour correction included |
| Globamatic Media (Madrid, Valencia) | Not stated on this page | Slides €2 for 1 to 30, down to €0.55 from 1,000 | 2,500 dpi; slides go back into their trays in order |
Last checked: 6 October 2026.
Afterwards
Start file names with the year, write down who is in each photo, keep three copies with one outside the house, and keep the originals. A damaged photo can then be restored free, without an account, with the result clearly labelled as restored with AI.
Sources
- Ministerio de Cultura, Subdirección General de los Archivos Estatales, Directrices de digitalización para archivo de seguridad: cultura.gob.es/dam/jcr:c6bf99a2-b544-4fb1-be00-01b85b4f9457/dir2.pdf
- Google PhotoScan: google.com/photos/scan
- FotoScaner, tarifas y presupuestos: fotoscaner.com/tarifa-y-presupuestos
- Copiadigital, digitalizar diapositivas: copiadigital.es/producto/digitalizar-diapositivas
- Photofilms Madrid, negativos y diapositivas: photofilmsmadrid.com/digitalizar-cintas-de-video/negativos-y-diapositivas
- Globamatic Media, digitalizar diapositivas: globamaticmedia.com/digitalizar-diapositivas
Questions people ask
What resolution does the Spanish culture ministry set?
Its security digitisation guidelines set a minimum of 600 dpi for photographic prints, 900 dpi for glass plates and transparencies, and 3,200 dpi or more for 35 mm negatives and slides, with TIFF for preservation.
How much does slide scanning cost in Spain?
On 6 October 2026: FotoScaner in Sabadell €0.20 to €0.35, Copiadigital in Murcia €0.90 for 1 to 49, Photofilms Madrid €0.70 for 1 to 49 and Globamatic Media €2 for 1 to 30, all lower for larger orders.
Do Spanish services scan paper prints?
FotoScaner lists prints up to A4 from €0.30 to €0.60 depending on quality, and Copiadigital accepts prints up to A4 at the same unit price as slides.
Should I keep the originals?
Yes. Keep them cool, dry and dark, in album order.
Can I just use my phone?
For viewing and sharing, yes. Google's free PhotoScan app stitches several images together to remove glare. For restoration or enlarging, use a scanner.
Start preserving your family's memories today
Build a beautiful, private Memory Palace for your family's stories, photos, and legacy.
Bring one old photo back, no account neededGood day. Carry on from your phone? I'll hold the door for you.
Rather use your phone? The app is free.