Unpaid invoices and late payments are among the most common problems faced by companies and professionals in Spain. According to data from the Delinquency Observatory, the average payment term for commercial transactions between companies consistently exceeds the established legal limits, creating cash flow pressures that can jeopardize the viability of otherwise sound businesses.
The decision to file a legal debt collection proceeding should not be taken lightly. It requires a careful assessment of the financial feasibility of the proceedings, the realistic chances of recovery, the expected duration of the proceedings, and the impact that legal action may have on the business relationship with the debtor.
This article analyzes the criteria that should guide the decision to pursue legal action, the procedures available under Spanish law for collecting commercial debts, and the strategies that maximize the chances of successfully recovering the debt.
When It Is Appropriate to Pursue a Debt Through the Courts
The decision to initiate legal proceedings must be based on a cost-benefit analysis that takes into account both economic and strategic considerations.
Prerequisites for Filing a Lawsuit
Before taking legal action, it is essential to verify that these requirements are met:
Existence of a liquidated, past-due, and enforceable debt: the amount claimed must be determined or readily determinable, the payment deadline must have passed, and there must be no outstanding conditions precedent.
Sufficient supporting documentation: invoices issued in accordance with tax regulations, signed delivery receipts, contracts or purchase orders supporting the transaction, and communications demonstrating acknowledgment of the debt.
No Statute of Limitations: The debt must not have become time-barred. The statute of limitations for claims arising from commercial relationships is generally five years from the due date of the obligation, pursuant to Article 1964 of the Civil Code.
Exhaustion of informal dispute resolution: It is recommended, though not mandatory, to have attempted collection through an out-of-court demand, a certified Burofax, or other communications that document the prior claim.
Assessment of the Feasibility of the Procedure
Not every unpaid debt warrants the initiation of legal proceedings. The following should be evaluated:
Apparent Solvency of the Debtor: Before initiating proceedings, it is advisable to conduct a creditworthiness check. If the debtor has no known assets subject to seizure, obtaining a favorable judgment may be futile due to the impossibility of enforcement.
Cost-to-Claim Ratio: The cost of court fees, professional fees, and the time spent monitoring the proceedings must be taken into account. For very small debts, pursuing a legal claim may not be economically viable.
Strategic Value of the Claim: In some cases, even if the debt is for a small amount, it may be in your best interest to pursue legal action to set a precedent with a repeat offender or to project an image of firmness to other customers.
Impact on the business relationship: It is important to assess whether the debtor is a regular customer experiencing temporary difficulties with whom it is in the company’s interest to maintain a relationship, or whether this is an isolated transaction that does not compromise future business ties.
Legal Proceedings for Debt Collection
Spanish procedural law provides various avenues for collecting monetary debts, each with its own specific characteristics, time limits, and requirements.
1. Payment Order Proceedings
The payment order procedure, governed by Articles 812 et seq. of the Civil Procedure Act, is the preferred method for claiming monetary debts that are liquid, certain, due, and payable and do not exceed 250,000 euros.
Key Features:
- Speed: This is the fastest procedure. If the debtor does not object, a direct enforcement order is issued approximately 20 days after the petition is filed.
- Documentation Requirements: You must provide a document proving the debt, such as an invoice, delivery note, contract, acknowledgment of debt, statement of account receivable, or any other document that substantiates the existence of the claim.
- Objection by the debtor: If the debtor files an objection, the proceeding continues as an oral or ordinary trial, depending on the amount in dispute, at which point a full adversarial proceeding begins.
- Legal Costs: If there is no opposition, the costs are minimal. If there is opposition and the creditor obtains a favorable judgment, the debtor must bear the costs of the subsequent proceedings.
The payment order procedure is particularly effective when the documentation is clear and the debtor has no solid grounds for defense. Court statistics show that in more than 60% of cases, there is no opposition, resulting in direct enforcement.
2. Oral Trial
The oral trial is applicable to debts not exceeding 6,000 euros or when a payment order is not feasible due to a lack of sufficient supporting documentation.
Features:
- A procedure that is shorter than the ordinary one but includes a full adversarial phase
- Complaint, Answer, and Consolidated Oral Hearing
- Judgment typically handed down within 10 days after the hearing
- Approximate total duration: 4–8 months from the filing of the complaint
3. Ordinary Trial
The ordinary trial is mandatory for claims exceeding 6,000 euros when a payment order is not applicable, or for debts of any amount when the complexity of the case requires a more extensive evidentiary hearing.
This procedure includes a complaint, an answer, a preliminary hearing, the evidentiary phase, and closing arguments, with longer procedural deadlines. The average duration ranges from 12 to 18 months and may be extended if the evidence is complex or if appeals are filed.
The Burofax: A Tool Used Before Taking Legal Action
Before initiating any legal proceedings, it is highly recommended to send a certified letter of claim to the debtor. This document, with certified acknowledgment of receipt, serves several strategic purposes:
Interruption of the Statute of Limitations: A valid out-of-court claim interrupts the statute of limitations period, preventing the debt from becoming time-barred during negotiations.
Proof of default: demonstrates that the creditor has demanded payment, thereby placing the debtor in default and entitling the creditor to charge default interest.
Psychological pressure: A well-drafted certified letter warning of an imminent legal claim and its associated costs may encourage voluntary payment.
Reduction of legal costs: If a payment order proceeding is subsequently initiated and the debtor does not object, the costs are lower than if the case goes directly to trial without a prior claim.
Late Payment Interest on Commercial Transactions
The Law 3/2004 on Combating Late Payment, as amended in 2010 and 2013, establishes that in commercial transactions between businesses or between businesses and public entities, the creditor has the right to claim late payment interest without the need for prior notice.
The applicable interest rate is the rate set annually by the European Central Bank plus eight percentage points. For 2024, the rate amounts to approximately 12.75% per year, a significant figure that must be systematically claimed in any legal action for commercial debt.
In addition to interest, the law provides that the creditor is entitled to compensation of 40 euros for each unpaid invoice to cover collection costs, an amount that must be added to the principal claim.
Enforcement of the Judgment: Seizure of Assets
Obtaining a favorable judgment does not guarantee actual collection. If the debtor does not pay voluntarily, enforcement proceedings must be initiated to seize sufficient assets to satisfy the debt.
Order of Attachment
Article 592 of the LEC establishes an order of priority for the seizure of assets:
- Cash or checking accounts
- Short-Term Receivables and Rights
- Jewelry and Art Objects
- Cash Income
- Interest, income, and proceeds
- Personal property or movable property
- Real Estate
- Wages, Salaries, and Pensions
- Long-Term Receivables, Rights, and Realizable Assets
In practice, the most effective form of garnishment is usually that of bank accounts, although debtors often transfer funds before the garnishment takes effect. Wage garnishment is limited to percentages that depend on the amount of the salary, and the minimum wage is always exempt from garnishment.
Asset Investigation
If the creditor is unaware of any of the debtor’s attachable assets, the creditor may ask the court to request information from:
- Tax Agency: To view tax returns and declared assets
- Social Security: To Identify Wages or Pensions Subject to Garnishment
- Land Registry: to locate properties registered in the debtor’s name
- General Directorate of Traffic: To Identify Vehicles Subject to Seizure
- Banks: to identify checking accounts with a positive balance
This investigation phase can last several months and does not always yield results. If the debtor lacks assets subject to seizure, the enforcement proceedings will be declared provisionally insolvent, though it may be reopened if assets are subsequently discovered.
Alternatives to Litigation: Mediation and Payment Agreements
Before going to court, you can explore alternative avenues that allow the debt to be recovered at a lower cost and in less time:
Deferred Payment Agreements: negotiate with the debtor a payment schedule that allows them to meet their obligations without jeopardizing their financial viability. It is advisable to formalize these agreements in writing, establishing specific due dates and consequences for noncompliance.
Settle and Wait: In situations of obvious insolvency, it may be preferable to accept a debt reduction that guarantees immediate partial payment, rather than prolonging the process and risking receiving nothing at all.
Commercial Mediation: using a professional mediator to facilitate an agreement between the parties. Mediation is voluntary, confidential, and can be resolved in just a few sessions, avoiding the costs and publicity of litigation.
Assignment of the receivable: In extreme cases, it may be worth considering assigning the receivable to a collection agency or factoring company that assumes the risk of nonpayment in exchange for paying a percentage of the face value.
Legal Claim Costs
A key factor in deciding whether to file a lawsuit is assessing the costs of the proceedings. These include:
Attorney and court representative fees: These vary depending on the complexity of the case and the amount claimed. In uncontested payment order proceedings, they can range from 300 to 800 euros. In oral or ordinary trials, costs can exceed 2,000 to 5,000 euros.
Court fees: Currently, there are no court fees for individuals or small businesses, but certain entities are required to pay them.
Enforcement costs: If enforcement of the judgment is necessary, professional fees will increase, and additional expenses may be incurred for service of process, attachments, auctions, etc.
The good news is that if the creditor obtains a favorable judgment, the debtor must bear the costs of the proceedings, which include the creditor’s attorney and court representative fees within the established legal limits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Debt Collection
How long does a payment order proceeding take?
If the debtor does not file an objection, the enforcement order is issued approximately 20 days after the initial petition. If an objection is filed, the case proceeds to an oral or ordinary trial, depending on the amount in dispute, and may take an additional 4 to 18 months.
Can I claim interest for nonpayment?
Yes. In commercial transactions between companies, the statutory interest rate plus eight percentage points automatically applies under the Law on Combating Late Payments. For 2024, this amounts to approximately 12.75% per year.
What happens if the debtor has no assets that can be seized?
If, following the asset investigation, insufficient assets are located, the enforcement proceeding is declared provisionally insolvent. The claim remains active, and the enforcement proceeding may be reopened if assets are subsequently found; however, in the meantime, no payment is collected.
When does a commercial debt become time-barred?
According to the Civil Code, the general statute of limitations is five years from the due date of the obligation. However, valid out-of-court claims (such as a certified fax or a notarial demand) interrupt the statute of limitations.
Is it worth taking small debts to court?
It depends. For debts under 500–1,000 euros, the costs may exceed the amount claimed if the debtor files an objection. However, the uncontested payment order procedure is inexpensive and quick. Each case must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the likelihood of an objection and the debtor’s ability to pay.
Can I file a lawsuit without a lawyer?
In small claims proceedings and oral trials involving amounts under 2,000 euros, the representation by an attorney and a legal representative is not mandatory. However, professional representation maximizes the chances of success and prevents procedural errors that could jeopardize the case.
Do you need legal advice on this matter? At ACL Boutique Legal, we offer a personalized analysis of your situation and a legal solution tailored to your case. You can contact us via email at info@aclboutiquelegal.com, or by phone at 931 820 179 or at 671 377 204 (WhatsApp). Our offices are located at Carrer del Tenor Viñas, 4–6, 3rd floor, apt. 2, Sant Gervasi–Turó Parc, 08021 Barcelona, and we also offer appointments in Sabadell.