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Every overseas creditor asks the same question before engaging a Spanish collection agency: what will this cost me? The answer depends on whether your case resolves amicably or requires legal proceedings — and the difference is significant.
The extrajudicial phase — formal demands, negotiation, and payment plan structuring — is the most cost-effective stage of recovery. Spanish agencies typically charge a success-based commission of 5% to 15% of the recovered amount. No recovery, no fee. Some agencies charge a modest upfront assessment fee (€100 to €300) that's credited against the commission if recovery succeeds.
The percentage varies based on claim size (larger debts attract lower percentages), debtor location (major cities are cheaper to service than rural areas), and case complexity (documented debts with clear contracts cost less to pursue than disputed claims).
When a case moves to court, costs increase. The procurador's fees are government-regulated based on claim value. The abogado's fees are market-rate, typically 15% to 25% of the recovered amount or a fixed fee per procedural stage. Court filing fees for the monitorio are minimal. Certified translation costs run €0.08 to €0.12 per word.
Total legal costs for a €50,000 contested claim that proceeds through monitorio, opposition, and juicio ordinario might run €5,000 to €8,000 in legal fees plus court costs. For an uncontested monitorio that produces an enforceable order without a hearing, costs are substantially lower — often under €2,000.
Spanish law (Ley 3/2004) entitles B2B creditors to claim statutory late payment interest at the ECB reference rate plus eight percentage points. On a €100,000 debt that's 12 months overdue, that interest alone can exceed €10,000. Many overseas creditors don't claim this — which is leaving money on the table. Your collection agent should include late payment interest in every demand and court filing.
The question isn't whether collection costs money. It's whether collection costs less than writing off the debt. For a €50,000 receivable, amicable recovery at 10% commission nets you €45,000. Legal recovery at 20% commission plus €5,000 in costs nets you approximately €35,000 to €40,000. Writing it off nets you zero. The economics consistently favour professional collection.
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