The Royal Decree-Law 4/2013 modifies Law 3/2004 on measures combating late payment in commercial transactions to adapt Spanish legislation to requirements arising from EU legislation.The Royal Decree-Law 4/2013 of February 22 contains measures to support entrepreneurs, SMEs, and autonomous companies. Some of these measures aim to reduce delinquency in commercial operations when contractual debt payments between companies can affect survival.The Royal Decree-Law 4/2013 modifies the Law 3/2004. However, Spanish Law, with the 2010 Reforms, already complies with the general provisions of the new requirements of the European Union.Modifications of the new LawUnifies a 30-day payment period, failing agreement between the parties; however, the rule remains that there may be no agreement when the payment period exceeds 60 daysGrants a special period, not to exceed 30 days, in cases of procedure of acceptance or verification of products or services, and payment must be made within the 30 days followingThe period starts from the date of actual receipt of the goods or rendering of services. The start date depends on whether the invoice is received electronicallyMaintains the requirement of accumulation of invoices to a 15-day maximum accumulation periodIncorporates a provisionary payment calendar and method of calculating interestsIncreases the type of legal interest of arrears from seven to eight per cent, added to the type of interest that the Central European Bank appliesCompensates the creditor for recovery costs: a creditor will receive a fixed amount of 40 Euros, to be added to the amount for expenses incurred for debt collectionRemoves the 15% limit on this compensationMakes all contracts — including those signed before the effective date of the Royal Decree-Law 4/2013 — remain subject to Law 3/2004For legal assistance regarding business transactions in Spain,