What about unpaid invoices in Spain?

Ingrid Viana (TCM Spain) – AGM Paris 2023

As you know by now, for almost 30 years TCM Belgium has been part of the TCM Group, an international network offering local solutions in more than 100 countries.

On the occasion of the TCM Group’s AGM next week in L.A., we would like to highlight some partners who were interviewed during last year’s AGM in Paris.

Last time you could hear TCM USA (Amir Erez) speak, today it is the turn of TCM Spain (Ingrid Viana).

What are the cultural challenges in collecting unpaid invoices in Spain?

Spain has some similar cultural challenges to Belgium. There are various regional differences, languages, and customs. As a collection partner, how do you deal with this properly?

Ingrid Viana:

“My husband Alfonso and I are originally from Brazil, my father runs one of the largest debt collection firms in Brazil (TCM Brazil). So I was brought up with the debt collection business! Through my studies, we then ended up in Spain and stuck around.

Latin culture is the glue between the two places. Culturally, I don’t notice very pronounced obstacles while collecting unpaid invoices in Spain, but there are some specifications to consider.

For instance, although it is legally allowed to carry out visits, and we will do so for specific cases, this is actually not well accepted culturally. Another thing specific to Spain: a lot of people share the same first name ánd surname. For this reason, it is incredibly important to receive as much contact info as possible from the debtor in question, to facilitate the search for the debtor.”

Does the legal framework look very different from that in Belgium?

The documentation needed to start legal proceedings in Belgium is similar to the necessities for legal proceedings in Spain. The Burofax is an exception, though.

Ingrid Viana:

“The Burofax is an order for payment procedure. Although it is not yet the start of legal proceedings, this letter serves as a means of pressure, as it shows the debtor that the intention is to start legal proceedings. In addition, it is a legal document that is needed to start legal proceedings.”

And if we thought the Belgian GDPR law was strict, Spain apparently takes it up a notch.

Ingrid Viana:

“The implementation of GDPR in Spanish law is one of the strictest in the world, and that does bring some practical challenges.”

Do you have questions about collecting unpaid invoices in Spain? Please do not hesitate to contact us at s.dereze@tcm.be, or 0498 29 29 14.

30/04/2024

What about unpaid invoices in Spain?

Ingrid Viana (TCM Spain) – AGM Paris 2023

As you know by now, for almost 30 years TCM Belgium has been part of the TCM Group, an international network offering local solutions in more than 100 countries.

On the occasion of the TCM Group’s AGM next week in L.A., we would like to highlight some partners who were interviewed during last year’s AGM in Paris.

Last time you could hear TCM USA (Amir Erez) speak, today it is the turn of TCM Spain (Ingrid Viana).

What are the cultural challenges in collecting unpaid invoices in Spain?

Spain has some similar cultural challenges to Belgium. There are various regional differences, languages, and customs. As a collection partner, how do you deal with this properly?

Ingrid Viana:

“My husband Alfonso and I are originally from Brazil, my father runs one of the largest debt collection firms in Brazil (TCM Brazil). So I was brought up with the debt collection business! Through my studies, we then ended up in Spain and stuck around.

Latin culture is the glue between the two places. Culturally, I don’t notice very pronounced obstacles while collecting unpaid invoices in Spain, but there are some specifications to consider.

For instance, although it is legally allowed to carry out visits, and we will do so for specific cases, this is actually not well accepted culturally. Another thing specific to Spain: a lot of people share the same first name ánd surname. For this reason, it is incredibly important to receive as much contact info as possible from the debtor in question, to facilitate the search for the debtor.”

Does the legal framework look very different from that in Belgium?

The documentation needed to start legal proceedings in Belgium is similar to the necessities for legal proceedings in Spain. The Burofax is an exception, though.

Ingrid Viana:

“The Burofax is an order for payment procedure. Although it is not yet the start of legal proceedings, this letter serves as a means of pressure, as it shows the debtor that the intention is to start legal proceedings. In addition, it is a legal document that is needed to start legal proceedings.”

And if we thought the Belgian GDPR law was strict, Spain apparently takes it up a notch.

Ingrid Viana:

“The implementation of GDPR in Spanish law is one of the strictest in the world, and that does bring some practical challenges.”

Do you have questions about collecting unpaid invoices in Spain? Please do not hesitate to contact us at s.dereze@tcm.be, or 0498 29 29 14.