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💡 MCHM Lawyers - Lawyers - Contracts 📎 Floor clause: the Supreme Court strengthens consumer protection in its latest 2025 case law 🏠 https://www.mchmabogados.es/idiomas/en/ 🔗 https://www.mchmabogados.es/abogados-derecho-contratos-almeria ⚖️ lawyers in almeria 📞 950 106 453 / 674 21 65 59 📧 info@mchmabogados.es 👉 The floor clause: a controversial issue that continues to generate case law ✨ 💬The floor clause has undoubtedly been one of the most controversial elements of the Spanish mortgage system in recent decades. Although its use dates back to the 1990s, it was not until the 2008 financial crisis and the subsequent fall of the Euribor that thousands of consumers began to notice its effects: mortgage payments that did not decrease despite falling interest rates. Since then, the legal battle has been constant, and case law has evolved significantly, especially in favor of consumers. ✍️ What is the floor clause? The floor clause is a condition included in many variable-rate mortgage contracts that sets a minimum interest rate to be paid, regardless of the evolution of the reference index (normally the Euribor). This means that even if the Euribor falls, the interest applied will never be lower than the agreed floor, preventing the borrower from benefiting from market reductions. Key case law up to 2025 1. Supreme Court Ruling (May 9, 2013) This was the first major legal milestone. The Supreme Court declared void any floor clauses that had not been clearly and transparently explained, although it limited the reimbursement of amounts to those paid after that date. This limitation was heavily criticized. 2. CJEU Ruling (December 21, 2016) The Court of Justice of the European Union overruled the Supreme Court, establishing that consumers are entitled to a full refund of overpaid amounts from the start of the contract, if the clause was abusive. 3. Supreme Court Ruling (February 24, 2017) The Supreme Court aligned its doctrine with that of the CJEU, recognizing full retroactivity in the reimbursement of amounts. 4. Supreme Court Ruling (September 10, 2019) It was recognized that floor clauses could also be challenged in novated contracts, as long as proper information was not provided during the novation. New case law in 2025 5. Supreme Court Ruling (June 15, 2025) In a recent decision, the Supreme Court once again addressed the floor clause, this time in the context of contractual modification agreements. It upheld the validity of a novation that eliminated the floor and set a temporary fixed rate, but nullified a general waiver clause for judicial claims. The court found that the waiver was neither negotiated nor explained with the required clarity, thus breaching the transparency principle. 6. Duty to inform in subrogations Another important ruling this year establishes that in the event of a debtor subrogation, the financial institution is obliged to inform the new holder of the existence of a floor clause in the original contract. Failure to do so may result in the nullity of the clause. Until when can claims be made? As long as the mortgage contract is in force and the clause continues to have economic effects, there is no time limit to file a claim. This means that consumers can still initiate legal proceedings to recover overpaid amounts, provided they have not signed valid waiver or settlement agreements. Conclusion The floor clause remains a live issue in Spanish courts. Case law has clearly evolved toward consumer protection, requiring financial institutions to meet a high standard of transparency. The latest rulings reinforce this trend, nullifying generic waiver clauses and expanding the duty to inform in subrogation cases. For those affected, it remains essential to review their contracts and, in case of doubt, seek advice from a professional specialized in banking law. ✨ ⚖️ Welcome to the Online Civil Procedure offered by MCHM Lawyers. Through our online platform, we offer you the convenience of completing the entire procedure from the comfort of your home, without needing to visit our office or the courts (except for mandatory proceedings). Below, we will guide you through each step of the process: Access to Your Personal Account: Once you visit our website https://www.mchmabogados.es/idiomas/en/inicio-sesion-mchmabogados-almeria [Civil], you can create a personal account or log in if you already have one. From your personal account, you will have access to all the necessary tools to complete the Civil procedure. Document Upload: From your personal account, you can upload all the necessary documents to initiate the Civil procedure. This includes text files, images, and any other relevant documents related to your case. Receiving Notifications and Requirements: Once you have uploaded your documents, you will receive notifications and requirements through your personal account on our online platform. These notifications will include information about the status of your case, any required actions on your part, and important communications related to your Civil procedure. Case Tracking: From your personal account, you can track the progress of your case in real time. This includes information about hearings, court rulings, and any other relevant updates. Communication with Your Lawyer: Through our online platform, you will be able to communicate directly with your assigned lawyer. You can make inquiries, ask questions, and receive personalized legal advice at any time during the process. Receiving the Judgment: Once the process is complete, you will receive the final judgment through your personal account on our online platform. This judgment will include any decision made by the court regarding your Civil case. In summary, our Online Civil Procedure offers you the convenience and flexibility to complete the entire procedure from the comfort of your home, without the need to visit our office or the courts (except for mandatory proceedings). With access to your personal account on our online platform, you can upload documents, receive notifications, communicate with your lawyer, and track the progress of your case in real time. At MCHM Lawyers, we are committed to providing you with the best possible service throughout the entire Civil procedure. ✨ 📖 lawyers in almeria 📍 For more information, do not hesitate to contact MCHM Lawyers. ✍️ ⚓️ floor clause, variable mortgage, minimum rate, lack of transparency, full retroactivity, nullity, general waiver, CJEU, Supreme Court, interest reimbursement, banking abuse, mortgage subrogation, legal claim, consumer protection, mortgage contract, Euribor, novation, banking law, recent case law, contractual transparency

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