From tourism businesses to real estate transactions, the Canary Islands host a wide range of foreign investors, freelancers, and property owners. But what happens when you’re not paid or a deal is broken? This article explains how foreigners can recover debts or resolve contract disputes in the Canary Islands, even from abroad.
📄 1. Common Conflicts Involving Foreigners
Some of the most frequent cases include:
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🧾 Unpaid rent, invoices, or service fees
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🏘️ Breach of real estate contracts (arras or purchase agreements)
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🛠️ Construction and renovation payment disputes
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💼 Business disagreements or non-performance
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💰 Personal loans between private parties
📌 These issues are especially common in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura, where foreigners often rent, build, or invest.
⚖️ 2. Legal Procedures for Debt Recovery
✅ Monitorio (Fast-Track Debt Procedure)
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Ideal for undisputed claims (e.g., unpaid invoice or rent)
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Requires basic proof: contract, invoice, delivery confirmation
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If the debtor fails to respond within 20 business days, the court grants judgment
🧑⚖️ Ordinary Civil Litigation
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Necessary for disputed or complex cases
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Suitable for broken agreements or contested payment obligations
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May involve oral hearings and judicial enforcement
📍 All cases are handled by the Juzgados de Primera Instancia on the island where the dispute arose.
📑 3. What You’ll Need to Start
To initiate your case:
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📄 Signed contract, invoice, or agreement
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📧 Emails, messages, or communications proving the relationship
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💸 Proof of payment or non-payment
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🪪 Passport and NIE (if available)
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✍️ Power of Attorney (POA)
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📜 Sworn translations for documents not in Spanish
✅ Organizing your paperwork increases the speed and chances of recovery.
🌍 4. Can You Litigate Without Being in the Canary Islands?
Yes — most foreign claimants manage everything remotely:
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✍️ Grant POA to a trusted Canary Islands lawyer
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📩 Submit your documentation online or by courier
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🧾 Let your lawyer handle all procedural filings and court appearances
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📬 Receive updates in your preferred language
✅ No need to fly to Spain or attend court in person.
👨💼 How Borderless Lawyers Supports Foreign Clients
We provide:
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⚖️ Experienced debt recovery and litigation lawyers on every island
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🌍 Legal services in English, Dutch, French, and German
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✍️ POA drafting and notarization abroad
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📁 Remote case filing and enforcement
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💼 Strategic representation in both simple and high-value claims
📩 Conclusion & CTA
Don’t let unpaid debts or contract breaches in the Canary Islands go unresolved. With the right legal partner, you can recover what you’re owed from anywhere in the world.
👉 Need help recovering a debt or enforcing a contract in the Canary Islands?
Reach out to Borderless Lawyers — and we’ll match you with a litigation expert experienced in helping foreign clients protect their rights across the islands.