Got a letter from the tax office, the town hall, the traffic police or a court abroad? Find it below — 62 kinds of letter in 13 countries: what it means, how long you have to answer and what usually happens next, in plain English. General information, not legal advice.
Upload your letter — we explain itBurofax (con certificación de contenido y acuse de recibo)
A burofax is a letter sent through Correos with proof of its text and of its delivery — a formal notice before a claim or a step in a contract. It has no deadline of its own: read what it asks and by when.
Aviso de llegada (Correos)
A slip from Correos, the Spanish post office: a registered letter could not be delivered and is waiting at the post office. If it is an official notification, collect it — leaving it there does not stop the deadline.
Notificación electrónica — DEHú (Dirección Electrónica Habilitada única)
An e-mail or SMS saying a Spanish authority has left a notification for you in the DEHú, the state's electronic letter box. Open it within 10 calendar days — after that it counts as delivered and its deadline runs anyway.
Diligencia de embargo (de cuentas, de sueldo, de devoluciones)
A seizure order: a public body is taking money from your Spanish bank account, a tax refund or your wages to pay a debt that went to enforcement. Find out which debt it is — and act within a month if the debt or its notices were wrong.
Identificación del conductor — multa a un vehículo de alquiler
The hire company says a fine came for the car you rented in Spain and charges your card a fee — the fine itself comes later, from the traffic authority. You then have 20 calendar days to pay it with 50% off or to object.
Recibo del IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles)
The yearly property tax bill of a Spanish town hall. Every owner pays it, resident or not, within the town's payment period — the dates are on the bill, and a direct debit is the easiest way for non-residents.
Requerimiento / propuesta de liquidación — Impuesto sobre la Renta de No Residentes (Modelo 210)
A letter from the Spanish tax office to a non-resident owner about Modelo 210 — the tax on a Spanish home, its rent or its sale. Usually it asks for missing returns or proposes a bill, with 10 business days to answer.
Denuncia por estacionamiento — multa de la ORA / zona azul
A parking ticket on the windscreen or a parking fine sent by a Spanish town hall. You have 20 calendar days to pay it with 50% off or to object — and in some towns a blue-zone ticket can be cancelled at the meter.
Liquidación del impuesto sobre el incremento de valor de los terrenos (plusvalía municipal)
The town hall's tax on the rise in value of the land under a property, due after a sale, a gift or a death. When it was not declared in time, the town hall sends a bill — pay it by the date the rule gives, or appeal within a month.
Propuesta de liquidación provisional (trámite de alegaciones)
A draft tax bill from the Spanish tax office: it has checked a return — or a year you did not file — and proposes to correct the tax. You have 10 business days to object before the real bill (liquidación) is issued.
Providencia de apremio
An enforcement order: a tax or a fine was not paid in time and is now being collected by force, with a surcharge. Pay it by the date the rule gives — the 20th of the month or the 5th of the next — to avoid a 20% surcharge and a seizure.
Requerimiento de información / de documentación
A request from the Spanish tax office to send information or documents — about a return you filed, income it has heard of, or a property. You usually have 10 business days to answer.
Acuerdo de imposición de sanción (or propuesta de sanción)
A penalty from the Spanish tax office for a return filed late, not filed at all, or with tax left unpaid. Paying it in time without appealing takes 40% off — or you have one month to appeal.
Notificación de denuncia — multa de radar enviada al extranjero
A Spanish speeding or traffic fine that reaches you at home in another country, sometimes months after the trip. Check that it is real — then you have 20 calendar days to pay it with 50% off or to object.
Notificación de denuncia — multa de tráfico
A notice of a traffic offence in Spain — speeding, a red light, a mobile phone — sent by the DGT or a town hall. You have 20 calendar days to pay it with 50% off, to object, or to say who was driving.
Carta / notificación de SUMA Gestión Tributaria
SUMA is the agency that collects the local taxes and fines of most towns in the province of Alicante — Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Benidorm, Jávea and many more. A letter from SUMA is about IBI, rubbish tax, plusvalía, vehicle tax or a fine.
Πράξη διοικητικού προσδιορισμού ΕΝΦΙΑ (Ενιαίος Φόρος Ιδιοκτησίας Ακινήτων)
Greece's yearly property tax. Everyone who owned property in Greece on 1 January pays it, resident or not — the assessment appears in myAADE in March, and it is paid in up to 12 monthly instalments.
Κλήση — παράβαση του Κώδικα Οδικής Κυκλοφορίας (ΚΟΚ)
A traffic fine in Greece under the new Road Traffic Code of 2025 — speeding, a mobile phone, a red light, a seatbelt. There is no discount for paying early, and only 3 days to object; the fine is paid within 8 months.
Notificação da Autoridade Tributária (Finanças) — coima, liquidação, pedido de esclarecimentos
A notification from Portugal's tax office — a fine (coima) for a late return or payment, a tax bill or a request for information. It may arrive on paper, in the Portal das Finanças or in the ViaCTT mailbox, and it counts as delivered even unread.
Notificação da AIMA — convocatória, deferimento, audiência prévia, indeferimento
A letter or e-mail from AIMA, Portugal's immigration agency, about your residence application: an appointment, an approval, a request for documents or a refusal. A draft refusal has a short period to answer in writing — read it at once.
Citação em processo de execução fiscal / penhora
A tax enforcement in Portugal: an unpaid tax, fine or toll is now being collected by force, and money in a Portuguese bank account, wages or a refund can be seized. You have 30 days from the notice to pay, ask for instalments or oppose.
Nota de cobrança do IMI (Imposto Municipal sobre Imóveis)
The yearly property tax bill in Portugal. Everyone who owned a property on 31 December pays it, resident or not — in May, or in two or three instalments up to November, depending on the amount.
Notificação de portagem em dívida — coima por falta de pagamento de portagem
A notice about an unpaid toll on one of Portugal's electronic-only motorways, often months after a trip with a rental or foreign car. You have 30 business days to pay the toll and costs — after that the tax office adds a fine.
Auto de contraordenação — notificação da ANSR
A notice of a traffic offence in Portugal — speeding, a red light, a mobile phone, parking — handled by the road-safety authority ANSR. You have 15 business days to pay the minimum fine or to send a defence.
Obvezni prekršajni nalog (prekršajni nalog) — and, for a camera, a request to name the driver (podaci o osobi koja je upravljala vozilom)
A misdemeanour order (prekršajni nalog) from the Croatian police for speeding, a camera offence or parking. Paying two thirds of the fine within the period on the order settles it; you have 8 days from delivery to object.
Rješenje o ovrsi (na novčanim sredstvima) — Fina, ovrha na računu, blokada računa
Fina, Croatia's financial agency, blocks and seizes the money in your Croatian bank accounts on a court's, a notary's or the tax office's decision on enforcement (rješenje o ovrsi). You have 8 days from delivery to appeal or object.
Rješenje o utvrđivanju poreza na nekretnine — and the rješenje o komunalnoj naknadi
The yearly decision on Croatia's property tax (porez na nekretnine), charged since 2025 on homes nobody lives in permanently — holiday homes, flats let to tourists. You pay within 15 days of delivery; an appeal is made within 30 days.
İhlalli geçiş — geçiş ücreti ve idari para cezası
A passage through a Turkish toll motorway, bridge or tunnel without HGS or enough balance. Pay the toll within 15 days of the passage and there is no fine — later it costs double, and after 45 days five times the toll.
Ödeme emri — icra takibi (icra dairesi)
A payment order from a Turkish enforcement office: a creditor has started enforcement against you for a debt it claims, without a court judgment. You have 7 days to object — an objection in time stops the enforcement.
Tebligat (PTT ile veya e-Tebligat)
Tebligat is the official service of a document in Turkey — a court paper, a payment order, a tax or administrative notice. It counts as served even when you were not at home, and the deadline inside starts from that day.
Trafik idari para cezası karar tutanağı
A traffic fine in Turkey — speeding, a red light, a mobile phone, parking. Pay it within one month and it is 25% less; to challenge it, object to the criminal judge of peace within 15 days.
Avis de contravention — amende forfaitaire (ANTAI)
A French traffic fine — a speed camera, a red light, a low-emission zone — sent by the ANTAI, often after a trip in a hire car. You have 45 days to pay, contest or name the driver, and a lower amount if you pay within 15 days.
Avis d'impôt sur le revenu (avis d'imposition)
The French income tax notice, sent in the summer after the spring return — also to non-residents with French income such as rent. It gives the balance and its dates; a claim is possible until 31 December of the second year.
Avis de passage — lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception (LRAR)
The La Poste slip left when nobody could sign for a registered letter. You have 15 days to collect it at the post office — and a letter you do not collect can still count as delivered, with its periods running.
Acte de commissaire de justice — signification, injonction de payer, commandement de payer
A letter or a visit from a commissaire de justice, the French bailiff, about a debt. An amicable collection letter is not a court order; an injonction de payer served on you can be opposed within one month of service.
Avis de paiement — péage en flux libre
A notice for a toll not paid on a French motorway without barriers — the A13, A14, A79 or A4. You had 72 hours after the trip; now the toll costs €10 more if you pay within 15 days, €90 later, and €375 after two months.
Obligation de quitter le territoire français (OQTF) — souvent avec un refus de titre de séjour
An OQTF is the préfet's order to leave France, often sent with a refusal of a residence permit. It mostly gives 30 days to leave and one month to appeal to the administrative court — 7 days or 48 hours if detained or under house arrest.
Avis de taxe foncière — avis de taxe d'habitation sur les résidences secondaires
The yearly French property tax bills: the taxe foncière every owner pays, and the taxe d'habitation that remains on second homes. The taxe foncière is due in mid-October, the taxe d'habitation usually in mid-December.
Fizetési meghagyás (közjegyzői fizetési meghagyásos eljárás, 2009. évi L. törvény) — ellentmondás
A fizetési meghagyás is a Hungarian payment order a notary issues at a creditor's request without checking the claim. You have 15 days from service to object — otherwise it becomes final like a judgment and a bailiff can enforce it.
Közigazgatási bírság — határozat (objektív felelősség, Kkt. 21. §); helyszíni bírság; parkolási pótdíj
A Hungarian camera fine — speeding, a red light — is an administrative fine the police impose on the car's keeper by decision. You have 8 days to object or show someone else had the car (15 for a car from another EU country), then 30 days to pay.
Pótdíjfizetési felszólítás — pótdíj / pótdíjkülönbözet jogosulatlan úthasználatért (e-matrica nélkül)
A surcharge (pótdíj) the Hungarian toll company charges the keeper of a car driven on a motorway without a valid e-vignette. Paid within 60 days of receiving the request it is the basic amount; after that more than three times as much.
Comunicazione di irregolarità (avviso bonario) — controllo automatico (art. 36-bis DPR 600/1973, art. 54-bis DPR 633/1972) o controllo formale (art. 36-ter DPR 600/1973); lettera di compliance
An avviso bonario is the Italian tax office's notice that a check of your tax return found tax unpaid or wrong. Since 2025 you have 60 days to pay with the penalty cut to a third, or in up to 20 quarterly instalments.
Avviso di accertamento (esecutivo) — preceduto dallo schema di atto (contraddittorio preventivo, art. 6-bis L. 212/2000)
An avviso di accertamento is an Italian tax assessment: the tax office, or a town hall, claims more tax with penalties. You have 60 days to pay, settle or appeal to the tax court — after that it is collected by enforcement.
Avviso di giacenza — raccomandata, atti giudiziari (busta verde), comunicazione di avvenuto deposito; PEC
An avviso di giacenza is the slip Poste Italiane leaves when it could not hand you a registered letter. A court or tax document counts as served 10 days later even if you never collect it — and its deadline starts then.
Cartella di pagamento (cartella esattoriale) — Agenzia delle Entrate-Riscossione
A cartella esattoriale is the payment demand of Italy's collection agency for an unpaid tax, fine or contribution. You have 60 days to pay, ask for instalments or challenge it — after that a car can be blocked and money seized.
Decreto ingiuntivo (ingiunzione di pagamento) — art. 633 e seguenti del codice di procedura civile
A decreto ingiuntivo is an Italian court order to pay, issued at a creditor's request without hearing you. You have 40 days from service to oppose it — 50 if you live in another EU country, 60 if you live elsewhere.
IMU (imposta municipale propria) e TARI (tassa sui rifiuti) — avviso di pagamento, avviso di accertamento
IMU is the yearly town-hall tax on property in Italy that is not your main home — a foreigner's second home pays it, by 16 June and 16 December. TARI is the waste bill the comune sends, in instalments it sets itself.
Verbale di contestazione / verbale di accertamento di violazione del Codice della Strada
An Italian traffic fine — speeding, a red light, parking — arrives as a verbale, for a hire car often months later. You have 60 days to pay or appeal, and 30% off if you pay within 5 days of receiving it.
Verbale di accertamento — accesso non autorizzato in zona a traffico limitato (ZTL, art. 7 Codice della Strada)
A ZTL fine is a camera fine for driving into the limited-traffic zone of an Italian old town — Florence, Rome, Milan, Pisa. You have 60 days to pay or appeal, and 30% off if you pay within 5 days of receiving it.
Antstolio raginimas įvykdyti sprendimą — antstolio patvarkymas (vykdomoji byla)
An antstolis is a Lithuanian bailiff enforcing a judgment, a court order or an unpaid fine. The demand (raginimas) gives you 10 days to pay; after that money in your accounts and part of your wages can be seized.
Administracinio nusižengimo protokolas su administraciniu nurodymu — nutarimas administracinio nusižengimo byloje; JUDU pranešimas (Vilniaus parkavimas)
A Lithuanian traffic fine from a speed camera or for parking arrives as a protocol sent to the car's owner. Paying half of the minimum fine within 30 days of the day it was sent ends the case; the owner can name the driver instead.
Λογαριασμός δημοτικών τελών (τέλος αποκομιδής σκυβάλων, δημοτικό τέλος ακίνητης ιδιοκτησίας) — κατάσταση λογαριασμού τελών αποχέτευσης του ΕΟΑ
The yearly bills a home owner in Cyprus gets from the municipality (refuse and property fees) and from the district's ΕΟΑ (sewerage). Each states its own last day; unpaid fees add a surcharge and stop a sale at the Land Registry.
Ειδοποίηση του Τμήματος Φορολογίας — ειδοποίηση φορολογίας (βεβαίωση φόρου), χρηματική επιβάρυνση, αίτημα για στοιχεία
A letter from Cyprus's Tax Department — a tax assessment, a charge for a late return or a late payment, or a request for information. Since 2026 you have 60 days from service to object to an assessment, in writing or online.
Εξώδικο πρόστιμο — ειδοποίηση εξώδικης ρύθμισης (σύστημα φωτοεπισήμανσης)
An out-of-court fine (εξώδικο) from Cyprus's speed and red-light cameras, sent to the car's owner by registered letter or served by hand. You have 90 days from service to pay it; after that half is added and the case can go to court.
Proces-verbal de constatare a contravenției — lipsa rovinietei valabile (Legea 226/2023, art. 18)
A rovinieta fine is the notice CNAIR sends by post when its cameras see a car on Romania's national roads without a valid road vignette. You have 15 days from receiving it to pay half of the minimum fine, or to complain to the court.
Proces-verbal de constatare a contravenției și de aplicare a sancțiunii (OUG 195/2002 — Codul rutier)
A Romanian traffic fine comes as a proces-verbal, handed over on the road or sent by post after a camera. You can pay half of the minimum fine within 15 days of receiving it, or complain to the court within the same 15 days.
Somație (de plată) însoțită de titlul executoriu — Codul de procedură fiscală (Legea 207/2015), art. 230
A somație is the first step of enforcement by ANAF or a town hall's tax office: a notice with the enforceable title for an unpaid tax or fine. You have 15 days from receiving it to pay or ask for mediation; after that bank accounts can be seized.
Данък върху недвижимите имоти и такса за битови отпадъци (ТБО) — местни данъци и такси
The yearly property tax and waste fee a Bulgarian municipality charges every owner, living there or abroad. Pay the year by 30 April with 5% off, or in halves by 30 June and 31 October; unpaid tax carries interest.
Електронен фиш за нарушение по чл. 179, ал. 3 ЗДвП — компенсаторна такса (винетна такса)
An electronic ticket for driving on Bulgaria's toll roads without a valid e-vignette. Pay the compensation fee within 14 days of receiving it and nobody is fined; after that the driver's fine of 300 leva (€153.39) is owed.
Електронен фиш за налагане на глоба (чл. 189 ЗДвП) — фиш, наказателно постановление
An electronic ticket (електронен фиш) from Bulgaria's speed and red-light cameras, sent to the car's owner. You have 14 days from receiving it to pay with 30% off or to name the driver, and 14 days to appeal to the court.
Nekustamā īpašuma nodokļa maksāšanas paziņojums (NĪN)
The yearly notice of Latvia's real estate tax (NĪN), sent by the municipality to every owner — abroad too — by 15 February. It is paid in four quarterly parts from 31 March; late tax adds 0.05% a day and unpaid tax stops a sale.
Lēmums par administratīvā soda piemērošanu — pārkāpums fiksēts ar tehniskajiem līdzekļiem, neapturot transportlīdzekli (fotoradars)
A fine from Latvia's speed cameras, sent to the car's registered holder — since December 2025 often as an automated decision. You have one month from notification to contest it; there is no early-payment discount for a camera fine.
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