Is a burofax a legal document?

It is an ordinary letter sent in a way that leaves proof. It doesn't need a lawyer or a notary. What gives it weight is that you can prove what you asked for and when the other side received it.

Do I have to send it through the Spanish post office?

No. Correos sells the best-known one, but other certified operators in Spain send them too and courts accept them. From abroad the post office is not practical: the sender needs an address in Spain.

Does it have to be in Spanish?

It should be: it is what the recipient and a Spanish court will read. You can write it in your language and we send it translated into Spanish (+20 €); you check the translation before paying.

What if they ignore it?

Then you have what you need for the next step. After 30 days without a reply, the attempt to settle is over and you can file a claim, with the burofax and its proof of delivery attached.

Burofax · explained

What is a burofax, and what is it called in my country?

A burofax is a letter sent through a certified service in Spain that proves three things: that you sent it, when it was delivered (or that delivery was attempted), and what it said. It is how people in Spain make a formal demand: return my deposit, pay this invoice, I am ending this contract. You can send one online from any country for 39 € with your own letter; you don't need a Spanish address.

3 proofs: that it was sent, that it arrived, and what it said
Next day: delivery in Spain if sent before 18:00 on a working day
39 €: your letter, sent from abroad

I have my letter, 39 €

The closest thing in other countries

There is no exact equivalent, because most registered letters prove that an envelope arrived, not what was inside it. These are the nearest:

United Kingdom: a letter before action sent by Special Delivery or Signed For.
United States: a demand letter sent by certified mail with return receipt.
Germany: a Mahnung sent as Einschreiben mit Rückschein.
France: a mise en demeure sent as lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception.
Italy: a diffida sent as raccomandata con ricevuta di ritorno.

What makes it different from a registered letter

A burofax also keeps a record of the content.

With an ordinary registered letter, the other side can admit they received an envelope and deny what it said. With a burofax the operator keeps a copy of the exact letter for 10 years, and a notary can certify it if you ever need to show it in court.

It also counts when the recipient refuses it or never collects it: the delivery attempt is recorded, and that record is proof too.

When you need one

To claim money: a rental deposit, unpaid rent, an unpaid invoice, wages.
To end or not renew a contract by a deadline: a lease, insurance, an alarm.
Before going to court: since April 2025 a Spanish court will not admit most civil claims unless you show you tried to settle first.

How to send one from abroad

Paste your letter or upload it as PDF or Word. We tell you for free if something is missing.
Enter your details. If you have no address in Spain, tick the box (+10 €): it goes out in your name «c/o Burofácil», with our Spanish address on the envelope only.
Enter the recipient's name and address in Spain (not a PO box).
Pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. If it goes out before 18:00 Spanish time on a working day, it is delivered the next working day.
We email you the proof that it was sent and the proof of delivery, or of the delivery attempt.

What Spanish law says

Before most civil claims in Spain you must show that you first tried to settle with the other party; a letter sent directly between the parties counts (art. 5.1 Organic Law 1/2025). fuente
The attempt is proved with a document showing that the other party received the proposal, the date, and that they could read its full content; with no reply in 30 calendar days it ends without agreement (arts. 10.2 and 10.4 Organic Law 1/2025). fuente

Frequently asked questions

Is a burofax a legal document?: It is an ordinary letter sent in a way that leaves proof. It doesn't need a lawyer or a notary. What gives it weight is that you can prove what you asked for and when the other side received it.
Do I have to send it through the Spanish post office?: No. Correos sells the best-known one, but other certified operators in Spain send them too and courts accept them. From abroad the post office is not practical: the sender needs an address in Spain.
Does it have to be in Spanish?: It should be: it is what the recipient and a Spanish court will read. You can write it in your language and we send it translated into Spanish (+20 €); you check the translation before paying.
What if they ignore it?: Then you have what you need for the next step. After 30 days without a reply, the attempt to settle is over and you can file a claim, with the burofax and its proof of delivery attached.