Has the moving company broken your sofa, lost boxes, or failed to deliver what was promised in the quote? You are not alone, and many affected individuals are unaware that there is a free, fast, and binding way to obtain compensation: the Transport Arbitration Boards.
In this guide, we explain how to file a claim for moving damages step by step, which legal deadlines you cannot miss (there is a critical 7-day one that many people miss), how much you can claim, what documentation you need, and the entire legal framework updated for 2026, including Law 15/2009, which specifically regulates moving contracts.
What is the Transport Arbitration Board?
The Transport Arbitration Board (JAT) is a public body that replaces courts and tribunals for claims related to land transport contracts. In other words, instead of filing a lawsuit (with a lawyer, solicitor, and legal costs), you can resolve the dispute through the JAT in a free, fast, and binding manner.
There is an Arbitration Board in every Autonomous Community, as well as in Ceuta and Melilla. Their decision (arbitral award) carries the same weight as a final court judgment: it is res judicata.
Does it cover moving services?
Yes. Moving companies are legally classified as land transport of goods, and the moving contract is specifically regulated by articles 70 to 76 of Law 15/2009, of November 11, on land transport of goods (LCTTM).
The JAT can resolve, among others, disputes regarding:
- Damage to furniture, appliances, or personal items during the move.
- Total or partial loss of packages or boxes.
- Unjustified delays in delivery.
- Non-compliance with the agreed quote (additional charges not agreed upon).
- Poor assembly or disassembly of furniture when included in the contract.
How much can I claim? (Updated amount)
Following the amendment introduced by Law 9/2013, the amounts are as follows:
- Up to €15,000: the JAT has automatic jurisdiction, unless this option was expressly excluded in the contract before the service began.
- More than €15,000: the JAT can only intervene if both parties agree to submit to their arbitration (express agreement).
Important: if the signed contract/quote contains a clause excluding the JAT, this option will not be available. Always check the fine print before hiring a moving service.
Deadlines for claiming moving damages (don't lose sight of them)
This is the part that causes most claims to fail: filing the claim past the deadline. Take note:
- Apparent damages (dented furniture, broken boxes that are visible): you must record the reservation on the delivery note or receipt at the very moment you receive them. If you sign the delivery note as "in good condition" without notes, you lose a significant amount of evidentiary weight.
- Non-apparent damages (discovered upon unpacking): a period of 7 calendar days from delivery to notify the moving company in writing (art. 60 LCTTM, applicable to moving via art. 71).
- Limitation period of the action: 1 year from delivery to file the claim before the JAT (art. 79 LCTTM). After that year, you can no longer claim.
How to file your claim for moving damages step by step
1. Document the damages as soon as possible
Take photos and videos with a visible date of each piece of damage. Keep the original packaging if the damage was discovered while unpacking. Note the exact date you discovered the problem.
2. Gather the documentation
You will need:
- Signed quote and/or moving contract.
- Service invoice.
- Delivery note or receipt (with your reservations if you made any).
- Photos and videos of the damage.
- Inventory of damaged items with their estimated replacement value.
3. Claim to the company in writing first
Before going to the JAT, send a formal claim to the moving company (by burofax or email with proof of receipt). Detail the damages, attach evidence, and request specific compensation. Give them a reasonable timeframe (15 days) to respond.
4. File the claim with the Arbitration Board
If the company does not respond or rejects your claim, file the document with the JAT. You can choose the JAT in the place of origin, place of destination, or place where the contract was signed.
You do not need a lawyer or a solicitor. A simple document explaining the facts, evidence, and the amount claimed is sufficient.
5. Hearing and award
The JAT will convene a single hearing (quick and informal). After the hearing, it will issue an arbitral award within approximately 6 months. That award has executive force: if the company does not pay voluntarily, you can request its enforcement in court.
Advantages of the Arbitration Board over going to court
- It is free: zero cost for fees or a solicitor.
- You do not need a lawyer. Any user can file the claim directly.
- It is fast: 3 to 6 months versus 1-3 years for a civil trial.
- It is binding: the award has the same effects as a final judgment.
- You can choose the location: origin, destination, or place where the contract was signed.
- Representation is permitted if you cannot attend in person.
Updated legal framework 2026
These are the regulations governing moving claims in Spain, updated as of the date of this article:
- Law 16/1987, of July 30, on the Organization of Land Transport (LOTT), articles 37 and 38, in its current wording following Law 9/2013, of July 4 (which raised the amount from €6,000 to €15,000).
- LOTT Regulation (ROTT), approved by Royal Decree 1211/1990, of September 28, articles 6 to 12, amended among others by Royal Decree 70/2019, of February 15.
- Law 15/2009, of November 11, on the land transport of goods contract (LCTTM), articles 70 to 76 (specific regime for moving contracts) and articles 60, 73, and 79 (deadlines for claims and prescription).
- Order FOM/3386/2010 and development regulations of the Autonomous Communities that have established their respective Arbitration Boards.
- Law 60/2003, of December 23, on Arbitration, as the supplementary regime for the procedure.
Official information and directory of Arbitration Boards by province: portal of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (MITMS).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to claim against a moving company?
No. If you use the Transport Arbitration Board route, you do not need a lawyer or a solicitor. There are no fees either. Only if you decide to go directly to an ordinary civil trial will you need legal representation.
How much time do I have to claim for damages discovered while unpacking?
7 calendar days from delivery to communicate them in writing to the moving company (non-apparent damages). If the damages were visible at the time of delivery, you must make a reservation on the delivery note when signing.
What if more than 7 days have passed?
You lose the legal presumption in your favor, but you can still claim within the general limitation period (1 year from delivery), although the company may argue that the damage occurred afterward, and the burden of proof becomes more complicated.
What if I signed the delivery note as "in good condition" and then found damage?
Signing as "in good condition" does not prevent you from claiming non-apparent damages (those not visible at delivery). However, it does make it difficult to claim damages that were visible. That is why it is always better to check before signing and, if in doubt, note "pending review" or detail the reservations.
Can I claim moral damages or only the material cost?
In the JAT, you primarily claim the replacement or repair value of the damaged goods. Compensation is also legally limited: Law 15/2009 establishes limits of liability (except in cases of fraud or gross negligence by the carrier). For moral damages, you usually have to go through the judicial system.
What do I do if the moving company does not accept the award?
The arbitral award has executive force. If the company does not pay voluntarily, you can request its compulsory enforcement before the court of first instance in the place where the award was issued. It is a much simpler procedure than an ordinary trial.
Can I file a claim if the move was international?
For international moves with origin or destination in Spain, the CMR Convention (Geneva Convention of 1956) usually applies. Deadlines and amounts are different. The JAT can intervene if agreed upon by the parties or if the dispute falls within its jurisdiction.
How to avoid having to file a claim: prevention before the move
The best claim is the one you do not have to file. Before hiring a mover:
- Request a detailed written quote with broken-down concepts (transport, packaging, assembly, insurance).
- Confirm that the company has a transport authorization (look it up in the MITMS registry by their Tax ID).
- Ask about their insurance coverage and if they have liability insurance specifically for moving.
- Pack fragile items yourself using sturdy cardboard boxes and bubble wrap: if they break something, you will have more arguments to claim.
- Create a photographic inventory of valuables before the move.
- Read the delivery note before signing and note any visible reservations.
Quick summary
- If your move has caused damages, you can file a claim for free with the Transport Arbitration Board of your Autonomous Community.
- Automatic amount: up to €15,000 (more with express agreement).
- Key deadlines: at the moment for apparent damage, 7 days for non-apparent, 1 year limitation period.
- No lawyer, no solicitor, no fees. Award in 3-6 months with the force of a judgment.
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Information updated as of April 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalized legal advice. For complex cases or large amounts, consult a lawyer specializing in transport law.
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