{"id":4786,"date":"2024-05-08T00:21:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T00:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/2024\/05\/08\/what-is-the-monitorio-process-complete-guide-to-claiming-debts-in-spain\/"},"modified":"2025-08-08T19:36:52","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T19:36:52","slug":"what-is-the-monitorio-process-complete-guide-to-claiming-debts-in-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/en\/2024\/05\/08\/what-is-the-monitorio-process-complete-guide-to-claiming-debts-in-spain\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Monitorio Process? Complete Guide to Claiming Debts in Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"546\" data-end=\"857\">The <strong data-start=\"549\" data-end=\"570\">order for payment procedure<\/strong> is regulated in articles <strong data-start=\"602\" data-end=\"655\">812 to 818 of the Civil Procedure Law (LEC)<\/strong>. It is an agile and efficient judicial procedure that allows to obtain an <strong data-start=\"732\" data-end=\"752\">enforceable title<\/strong> quickly, especially useful in the context of <strong data-start=\"804\" data-end=\"825\">commercial traffic<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"831\" data-end=\"856\">debt claims<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"859\" data-end=\"1159\">Its purpose is twofold: to facilitate the <strong data-start=\"895\" data-end=\"925\">collection of economic debts<\/strong> without the need for a full declaratory judgment and to <strong data-start=\"976\" data-end=\"1023\">reduce the cost of access to justice<\/strong> in the case of small claims. If the procedure ends without opposition, the creditor obtains a directly enforceable title. <\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1166\" data-end=\"1206\">How is the order for payment procedure initiated?<\/h2>\n<h3 data-start=\"1208\" data-end=\"1261\">Documentation required to file the claim<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1263\" data-end=\"1490\">To initiate an order for payment proceeding, the creditor must file an <strong data-start=\"1328\" data-end=\"1348\">initial petition<\/strong> accompanied by <strong data-start=\"1363\" data-end=\"1400\">documents evidencing the debt<\/strong>, as provided for in <strong data-start=\"1426\" data-end=\"1446\">Article 812 LEC<\/strong>. Several forms of documentation are admitted: <\/p>\n<h4 data-start=\"1492\" data-end=\"1533\">a) Documents signed by the debtor<\/h4>\n<ul data-start=\"1535\" data-end=\"1711\">\n<li data-start=\"1535\" data-end=\"1573\">\n<p data-start=\"1537\" data-end=\"1573\">Service contractsOrder forms<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1593\" data-end=\"1616\">\n<p data-start=\"1595\" data-end=\"1616\">Signed budgets<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1617\" data-end=\"1662\">\n<p data-start=\"1619\" data-end=\"1662\">Electronic or digital contracts<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1663\" data-end=\"1711\">\n<p data-start=\"1665\" data-end=\"1711\">Documents with debtor&#8217;s stamp, mark or signature<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 data-start=\"1713\" data-end=\"1764\">b) Documents customary in commercial transactions<\/h4>\n<ul data-start=\"1766\" data-end=\"1896\">\n<li data-start=\"1766\" data-end=\"1776\">\n<p data-start=\"1768\" data-end=\"1776\">Invoices<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1777\" data-end=\"1799\">\n<p data-start=\"1779\" data-end=\"1799\">Delivery notes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1800\" data-end=\"1817\">\n<p data-start=\"1802\" data-end=\"1817\">Certifications<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1818\" data-end=\"1830\">\n<p data-start=\"1820\" data-end=\"1830\">Telegrams<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1831\" data-end=\"1896\">\n<p data-start=\"1833\" data-end=\"1896\">Fax or other documents issued unilaterally by the creditor<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1898\" data-end=\"1978\">Even <strong data-start=\"1906\" data-end=\"1927\">pro forma invoices<\/strong> can be admitted as the beginning of documentary evidence.<\/p>\n<h4 data-start=\"1980\" data-end=\"2044\">c) Documents evidencing a long-standing business relationship<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2138\">When there is no specific document of the debt, its origin can be accredited by means of:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2140\" data-end=\"2269\">\n<li data-start=\"2140\" data-end=\"2177\">\n<p data-start=\"2142\" data-end=\"2177\">E-mail exchange<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2178\" data-end=\"2195\">\n<p data-start=\"2180\" data-end=\"2195\">Order forms<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2196\" data-end=\"2218\">\n<p data-start=\"2198\" data-end=\"2218\">Previous budgets<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2219\" data-end=\"2269\">\n<p data-start=\"2221\" data-end=\"2269\">Other evidence of a continuing contractual relationship<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 data-start=\"2271\" data-end=\"2335\">d) Certifications of non-payment of homeowners&#8217; associations<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"2337\" data-end=\"2529\">In the case of <strong data-start=\"2351\" data-end=\"2379\">unpaid common expenses<\/strong> in homeowners&#8217; associations, a <strong data-start=\"2424\" data-end=\"2452\">certificate of non-payment<\/strong> issued by the secretary of the association with the approval of the president will suffice.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2337\" data-end=\"2529\"><span style=\"font-size: revert;\">Although the LEC is relatively flexible with the documentation, the admissibility will depend on the court&#8217;s discretion. <\/span><strong style=\"font-size: revert;\" data-start=\"2654\" data-end=\"2678\">criteria of the court<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;\">. The more objective evidence you provide, the more guarantees that the claim will be admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2773\" data-end=\"2824\">Notification of the payment order to the debtor<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2826\" data-end=\"3091\">Once the claim has been admitted for processing, the court will serve the debtor with a <strong data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2925\">demand for payment<\/strong>. This procedure is more demanding than in other civil proceedings, since the <strong data-start=\"3003\" data-end=\"3026\">default of the debtor<\/strong> may result in the <strong data-start=\"3048\" data-end=\"3090\">direct issuance of an enforceable title.<\/strong> <\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3093\" data-end=\"3139\">Frequent reporting difficulties<\/h3>\n<p>One of the peculiarities of the payment order process is the need to locate and personally notify the debtor. So much so that: <\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3141\" data-end=\"3536\">\n<li data-start=\"3141\" data-end=\"3285\">\n<p data-start=\"3143\" data-end=\"3285\">If the address indicated by the creditor is erroneous or if the debtor cannot be located, a <strong data-start=\"3255\" data-end=\"3284\">domiciliary inquiry<\/strong> may be carried out.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3286\" data-end=\"3536\">\n<p data-start=\"3288\" data-end=\"3369\">If this also fails, the proceeding <strong data-start=\"3328\" data-end=\"3342\">is archived<\/strong>, although the creditor may:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3372\" data-end=\"3536\">\n<li data-start=\"3372\" data-end=\"3428\">\n<p data-start=\"3374\" data-end=\"3428\">Try again when you know a new address.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3431\" data-end=\"3536\">\n<p data-start=\"3433\" data-end=\"3536\">To resort to the <strong data-start=\"3443\" data-end=\"3486\">declaratory judgment (verbal or ordinary)<\/strong>, where <strong data-start=\"3511\" data-end=\"3535\">edictal notification<\/strong> is possible.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3538\" data-end=\"3810\">The <strong data-start=\"3564\" data-end=\"3584\">Supreme Court<\/strong>, in an order dated January 5, 2010, endorsed this practice, stating that the filing of the order for payment proceeding for lack of localization does not affect the territorial jurisdiction if it was correctly established according to the information in the complaint.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3817\" data-end=\"3875\">What happens if the debtor opposes the order for payment process?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3877\" data-end=\"3941\">In the same request, the debtor is informed of three options:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"3943\" data-end=\"4140\">\n<li data-start=\"3943\" data-end=\"3980\">\n<p data-start=\"3946\" data-end=\"3980\"><strong data-start=\"3946\" data-end=\"3964\">Paying the debt<\/strong> (settlement).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3981\" data-end=\"4037\">\n<p data-start=\"3984\" data-end=\"4037\"><strong data-start=\"3984\" data-end=\"4009\">To oppose the claim<\/strong>, by means of a reasoned written statement.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4038\" data-end=\"4140\">\n<p data-start=\"4041\" data-end=\"4140\"><strong data-start=\"4041\" data-end=\"4058\">Failure to appear<\/strong>, which allows the creditor to directly request the <strong data-start=\"4114\" data-end=\"4139\">enforcement order<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 data-start=\"4142\" data-end=\"4178\">Processing in case of opposition<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4180\" data-end=\"4273\">According to <strong data-start=\"4189\" data-end=\"4211\">article 818.2 LEC<\/strong>, the procedure to be followed will depend on the amount claimed:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4275\" data-end=\"4556\">\n<li data-start=\"4275\" data-end=\"4416\">\n<p data-start=\"4277\" data-end=\"4416\"><strong data-start=\"4277\" data-end=\"4294\">Up to \u20ac6,000<\/strong>: the proceeding continues as a <strong data-start=\"4321\" data-end=\"4338\">verbal trial<\/strong>. The Counsel for the Administration of Justice issues a decree of transformation. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4417\" data-end=\"4556\">\n<p data-start=\"4419\" data-end=\"4556\"><strong data-start=\"4419\" data-end=\"4437\">More than \u20ac6,000<\/strong>: the filing of an <strong data-start=\"4470\" data-end=\"4491\">ordinary lawsuit<\/strong> is required within <strong data-start=\"4507\" data-end=\"4516\">1 month<\/strong>. If not filed, the case is archived and costs are imposed on the plaintiff. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"4563\" data-end=\"4615\">How is a debt enforced through an order for payment process?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4617\" data-end=\"4832\">If the debtor does not respond to the summons within the legal term (20 days), the creditor may request the <strong data-start=\"4719\" data-end=\"4744\">execution<\/strong> by simply filing a <strong data-start=\"4767\" data-end=\"4785\">simple writ<\/strong>, without the need for an additional executive demand.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4834\" data-end=\"4934\">This title has the same value as a final judgment for purposes of seizure and execution of assets.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"4941\" data-end=\"5003\">Law to combat late payment in commercial transactions<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5005\" data-end=\"5210\">A legal tool complementary to the payment order process is <strong data-start=\"5069\" data-end=\"5083\">Law 3\/2004<\/strong>, as amended by <strong data-start=\"5103\" data-end=\"5118\">Law 11\/2013<\/strong>, which reinforces the protection of creditors in <strong data-start=\"5168\" data-end=\"5209\">commercial relations between companies (only B2B) and introduces certain provisions to protect creditors, with measures that seek to penalize unjustified delays as well as the non-payment of small invoices.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"5212\" data-end=\"5248\">Higher interest on late payment<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"5250\" data-end=\"5406\">\n<li data-start=\"5250\" data-end=\"5351\">\n<p data-start=\"5252\" data-end=\"5351\">The <strong data-start=\"5255\" data-end=\"5276\">interest for late payment<\/strong> in these cases is the rate applied by the ECB + <strong data-start=\"5325\" data-end=\"5350\">8 percentage points<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5352\" data-end=\"5406\">\n<p data-start=\"5354\" data-end=\"5406\">It applies automatically, unless otherwise agreed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"5408\" data-end=\"5445\">Automatic dunning fees<\/h3>\n<p>These provisions discourage the systematic non-payment of small debts by establishing legal minimums as dunning costs.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5447\" data-end=\"5638\">\n<li data-start=\"5447\" data-end=\"5519\">\n<p data-start=\"5449\" data-end=\"5519\">A <strong data-start=\"5465\" data-end=\"5489\">legal minimum of \u20ac40<\/strong> is established as a <strong data-start=\"5495\" data-end=\"5518\">fixed charge.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5520\" data-end=\"5638\">\n<p data-start=\"5522\" data-end=\"5638\">The creditor may also claim <strong data-start=\"5557\" data-end=\"5579\">additional<\/strong> duly justified <strong data-start=\"5557\" data-end=\"5579\">expenses<\/strong> (lawyers, notifications, etc.).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"5757\" data-end=\"5770\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5772\" data-end=\"6161\">The <strong data-start=\"5775\" data-end=\"5796\">payment order process<\/strong> is an <strong data-start=\"5816\" data-end=\"5846\">efficient, economical and fast<\/strong> tool for claiming monetary debts in the civil and commercial sphere. Although it has some <strong data-start=\"5935\" data-end=\"5961\">practical limitations<\/strong> -such as the need for proper notification-, its use combined with measures such as the <strong data-start=\"6049\" data-end=\"6085\">Law against late payment<\/strong> strengthens the creditor&#8217;s position, especially in the business environment. In the event of non-opposition by the debtor, the times are significantly shortened, compared to other civil proceedings such as verbal or ordinary proceedings, in which the debtor&#8217;s silence continues to operate as a tacit opposition, while in the order for payment, the debtor&#8217;s silence is practically equivalent to an acquiescence.  <\/p>\n\n<p><strong>If you liked it, follow us on Instagram, subscribe and share on Social Media.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>Thank you!<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links has-large-icon-size is-layout-flex wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/fb.legal\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 s-0.009,2.688-0.052,3.637c-0.04,0.877-0.187,1.354-0.31,1.671c-0.163,0.42-0.358,0.72-0.673,1.035 c-0.315,0.315-0.615,0.51-1.035,0.673c-0.317,0.123-0.794,0.27-1.671,0.31c-0.949,0.043-1.233,0.052-3.637,0.052 s-2.688-0.009-3.637-0.052c-0.877-0.04-1.354-0.187-1.671-0.31c-0.42-0.163-0.72-0.358-1.035-0.673 c-0.315-0.315-0.51-0.615-0.673-1.035c-0.123-0.317-0.27-0.794-0.31-1.671C4.631,14.688,4.622,14.403,4.622,12 s0.009-2.688,0.052-3.637c0.04-0.877,0.187-1.354,0.31-1.671c0.163-0.42,0.358-0.72,0.673-1.035 c0.315-0.315,0.615-0.51,1.035-0.673c0.317-0.123,0.794-0.27,1.671-0.31C9.312,4.631,9.597,4.622,12,4.622 M12,3 C9.556,3,9.249,3.01,8.289,3.054C7.331,3.098,6.677,3.25,6.105,3.472C5.513,3.702,5.011,4.01,4.511,4.511 c-0.5,0.5-0.808,1.002-1.038,1.594C3.25,6.677,3.098,7.331,3.054,8.289C3.01,9.249,3,9.556,3,12c0,2.444,0.01,2.751,0.054,3.711 c0.044,0.958,0.196,1.612,0.418,2.185c0.23,0.592,0.538,1.094,1.038,1.594c0.5,0.5,1.002,0.808,1.594,1.038 c0.572,0.222,1.227,0.375,2.185,0.418C9.249,20.99,9.556,21,12,21s2.751-0.01,3.711-0.054c0.958-0.044,1.612-0.196,2.185-0.418 c0.592-0.23,1.094-0.538,1.594-1.038c0.5-0.5,0.808-1.002,1.038-1.594c0.222-0.572,0.375-1.227,0.418-2.185 C20.99,14.751,21,14.444,21,12s-0.01-2.751-0.054-3.711c-0.044-0.958-0.196-1.612-0.418-2.185c-0.23-0.592-0.538-1.094-1.038-1.594 c-0.5-0.5-1.002-0.808-1.594-1.038c-0.572-0.222-1.227-0.375-2.185-0.418C14.751,3.01,14.444,3,12,3L12,3z M12,7.378 c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-subscriptions__supports-newline wp-block-jetpack-subscriptions\">\n\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/en\/?post_type=post&#038;p=4786\" style=\"font-size: 16px;padding: 15px 23px 15px 23px;margin: 0; margin-left: 10px;border-radius: 0px;border-width: 1px; background-color: #113AF5; color: #FFFFFF; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap; margin-left: 0\">Subscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The order for payment procedure is regulated in articles 812 to 818 of the Civil Procedure Law (LEC). It is an agile and efficient judicial procedure that allows to obtain an enforceable title quickly, especially useful in the context of commercial traffic and debt claims. Its purpose is twofold: to facilitate the collection of economic [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4767,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"edge","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[422],"tags":[500,501,495,491,490,473,489,499,496,497,492,498,493,494],"class_list":["post-4786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mercantil-en","tag-claim-for-quantity","tag-debt-claim","tag-judicial-debt-management","tag-lawyer-for-payment-order-process","tag-lawyer-monitorios","tag-leases","tag-mercantile","tag-monitoring-process","tag-monitorio-en","tag-monitors","tag-order-for-payment-lawyers","tag-order-for-payment-procedure","tag-unpaid-invoice","tag-unpaid-invoices"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Proceso-monitori.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4786"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4787,"href":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4786\/revisions\/4787"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4767"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fernandezboira.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}