A common practice in Spain is to pay bills through direct debit, a process that involves requesting payment instructions from a different financial institution. This typically starts with making a payment for basic household needs such as electricity and water.
The Bank of Spain notes that Spaniards have the right to immediately cancel any of these payments if they believe it is appropriate.
Nevertheless, canceling a payment can carry serious consequences for the user. If the reasons for cancellation are not clearly communicated to the institutions, utilities like electricity, water, or telecommunication providers may interpret the action as a cessation of service and could disconnect the supply.
Additionally, if an invoice is returned to a public authority, there may be repercussions such as the loss of subsidies or the imposition of extra fees.
Requirements to request a refund of the receipt
The Bank of Spain explains that refunds are possible under two conditions, provided prior authorization exists: first, the user may be unaware of the charge, and second, the receipt cannot be retrieved after repeated payments of an unusually high amount.
To prevent adverse outcomes from a receipt return, the Bank of Spain emphasizes a clear justification for the refund. Payment service regulations grant customers the right to request the return of receipts or direct debits that the organization must handle.
According to regulations, the time window for users to request refunds ranges from eight weeks to thirteen months, depending on whether the payments were pre authorized. If authorization is not granted, the bank has ten business days to refund the amount or to provide justification for the receipt in another situation.