Chasing debt in Spain

worriedinspain

I have been reading another thread about someone going to Australia and leaving a debt behind. The replies seemed to be conflicting.

I have a credit card debt in the UK which I have been paying off while living in Spain. I had agreed a repayment schedule of £78 a month in order that they would not charge any interest on the debt. I cannot continue with the high level of payments asked by Barclaycard as I have run up the equivalent amount on a credit card here in Spain over the 18 month period I have been paying off the debt. I have therefore told them I can only pay a reduced rate of £10 a month. They have now told me it is back in the hands of Mercers and asked me to pay the overdue amount.

If they take me to court can the debt be enforced here in Spain?

I do not have any income in my own name. My only income is my husband's work pension, which he took early.

We don't have any assets in the UK.

I don't intend not to pay off the debt. We have been here nearly 5 years and in the next couple of months may be able to legalise our house here. Then we will be able to sell it and take out some equity. Then I intend to pay off the debt.

My question really is what powers do Barclaycard/Mercers have over me in Spain? Are they just trying it on?

My debt was £7,800 and is now £6,000 approx.

jonesMUFCforever

Both countries are part of EU.
The debt can be registered against you in UK and you could be persued in Spain (and the charges for doing so would be added to the outstanding amount).
Much easier if you can continue to make monthly payments by arrangements until such time as you are able to pay off in full.

worriedinspain

Thank you.

I do intend to continue making payments of £10, but I cannot afford £78 a month. As I said before, I am only running up another debt to cover this.

I have emailed the CCCS but they didn't read my letter fully and merely told me that if the creditors didn't know my whereabouts there was nothing they would be able to do about it!!

I just wonder if I say I have no assets, which at the moment is true, and I have no income, which is also true, whether they would leave me alone.

arfster

At 10/mth it'll take you 50 years to clear 6 grand - no wonder they won't accept that :-(

worriedinspain

I know people who are paying off debts at £1 a month, not friends of mine, but from reading such forums as this.

I have made it clear to them that I will pay it off when the house is sold. Until it is "made legal" this cannot be done.

How can I possibly pay £78 a month when I have no income. When I manage to sell the b....y house and move back to the UK I will be able to work again.