International Debt Collection in the Netherlands

International debt collection is recovering unpaid invoices from a debtor in another country, or from a Dutch debtor on behalf of a foreign creditor. We handle cross-border collection for companies in and outside the Netherlands, from the first demand letter to attachment and enforcement abroad. The first step is a free introductory meeting in which we assess your claim, the debtor's location and the fastest route.

Clients rate Law & More 9.6 out of 10 on Klantenvertellen, the Dutch review platform (81 reviews, as of October 2026).

What can we help you with?

• sending a formal demand and notice of default to a debtor at home or abroad;
• negotiating a payment arrangement or settlement;
• applying for a European Payment Order;
• starting a European Small Claims Procedure for claims up to 5,000 euros;
• pre-judgment attachment of bank accounts, goods or receivables;
• enforcing a Dutch judgment abroad, or a foreign judgment in the Netherlands;
• lodging your claim in a debtor's bankruptcy.

How does international debt collection start?

It starts with a written demand that gives the debtor a final term to pay and puts it in default. A clear contract, invoices and correspondence are the basis for every later step.

Under Article 6:82 of the Dutch Civil Code, a notice of default (ingebrekestelling) sets a reasonable final term for performance. In many commercial cases, the debtor is already in default when the agreed payment term expires. Without an agreed term, the statutory payment term between businesses is 30 days, under Article 6:119a of the Dutch Civil Code.

Between businesses, you can claim statutory commercial interest from the due date. You can also claim extrajudicial collection costs, with a minimum of 40 euros, unless the contract provides otherwise. For consumers, a stricter route applies: a reminder giving 14 days to pay is required before collection costs are due. Read more in our debt collection guide.

Which court and which law?

Within the EU, Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 (Brussels I bis) determines which court has jurisdiction. The basic rule is the debtor's domicile, but a choice-of-court clause or the place of performance can also give jurisdiction. Which law applies follows from your contract or from the Rome I Regulation. A clear choice of law and forum in your general terms saves time later.

What is a European Payment Order?

A European Payment Order is a written EU procedure for uncontested cross-border money claims, without a hearing. If the debtor does not object within 30 days, the order becomes enforceable in all EU member states except Denmark.

The procedure is governed by Regulation (EC) No 1896/2006. You file a standard form with the competent court; in the Netherlands, that is the District Court of The Hague. The court checks the form, not the merits, and serves the order on the debtor. If the debtor files a statement of opposition, the case continues as ordinary proceedings.

The procedure suits claims the debtor is unlikely to dispute, such as unpaid invoices for delivered goods. For a disputed claim, ordinary proceedings are usually faster in the end.

When can you use the European Small Claims Procedure?

You can use it for cross-border civil and commercial claims of up to 5,000 euros, excluding interest and costs. The procedure is mainly written and does not require a lawyer.

The European Small Claims Procedure follows Regulation (EC) No 861/2007, as amended in 2015. It applies in all EU member states except Denmark. The judgment is enforceable in the other member states without a separate recognition procedure.

Route	Suitable for	Key feature
European Payment Order	uncontested money claims, no limit	debtor has 30 days to object
European Small Claims Procedure	claims up to 5,000 euros	mainly written procedure
Ordinary proceedings	disputed or complex claims	full assessment of the merits

How can you secure and enforce your claim?

You can secure your claim before judgment through a pre-judgment attachment, with leave from the preliminary relief judge. After judgment, a bailiff enforces it in the Netherlands, and within the EU a judgment can generally be enforced without a separate recognition procedure.

In the Netherlands, a conservatory attachment (conservatoir beslag) can be laid on bank accounts, goods, receivables or real estate. Under Article 700 of the Dutch Code of Civil Procedure, you must then start main proceedings within the term set by the judge, at least eight days. Read more in asset freezing and pre-judgment attachment.

For bank accounts in other EU member states, the European Account Preservation Order under Regulation (EU) No 655/2014 can be used. It freezes accounts without warning the debtor first.

Outside the EU, enforcement depends on treaties. Without a treaty, a foreign judgment cannot simply be enforced in the Netherlands; new proceedings are then needed under Article 431 of the Dutch Code of Civil Procedure. See how to enforce a foreign judgment in the Netherlands. You can find the Civil Code provisions on wetten.overheid.nl (in Dutch).

Watch the limitation period

Under Article 3:307 of the Dutch Civil Code, a claim for payment under a contract generally becomes time-barred after five years. A written interruption restarts the period. Foreign law may apply other periods, so check them early.

How does working with Law & More work?

1. Introductory meeting: free of charge. We review the contract, invoices and the debtor's location.
2. Advice and cost estimate: we choose the route, assess the debtor's assets and estimate the costs.
3. Approach and negotiation: we send the demand, negotiate and, where useful, attach assets.
4. Procedure or completion: we start proceedings, obtain a judgment and arrange enforcement, if needed through local counsel abroad.

What does international debt collection cost?

We work on an hourly rate that we agree with you in advance. The rate for a lawyer is 250 to 350 euros excluding VAT, and for a partner 300 to 400 euros excluding VAT.

The introductory meeting is free of charge. A one-off advice meeting without further assistance costs 300 euros including VAT. External costs, such as court fees (griffierecht), bailiff's costs, translations and local counsel abroad, are charged separately. Part of the costs can often be recovered from the debtor. Legal aid exists through the Legal Aid Board (Raad voor Rechtsbijstand), but we do not work on that basis.

Who handles your case?

Your case is handled by one of our lawyers; you will hear who in the introductory meeting. See our team page and our civil law page.

Frequently asked questions

How does international debt collection work against an EU debtor?

You start with a formal demand. If the debtor does not pay, you choose between a European Payment Order, the European Small Claims Procedure for claims up to 5,000 euros, or ordinary proceedings. A judgment from one EU member state can generally be enforced in the others without a separate recognition procedure.

How long does a European Payment Order take?

After filing, the court checks the application and issues the order. The debtor then has 30 days after service to object. If no objection is filed, the order is declared enforceable. Service abroad can add several weeks, so the total time depends on the country.

Can I claim collection costs and interest from a foreign debtor?

Often yes. Between businesses under Dutch law, you can claim statutory commercial interest and extrajudicial collection costs, with a minimum of 40 euros. If another law applies, its rules decide. Clear payment and cost clauses in your general terms make recovery easier.

Can I freeze a debtor's bank account abroad?

Within the EU, yes, through the European Account Preservation Order. It freezes accounts in another member state without notifying the debtor first. You must show that there is a real risk that enforcement will otherwise become impossible or much more difficult.

Can a foreign company collect a debt in the Netherlands?

Yes. A foreign creditor can sue a Dutch debtor before the Dutch courts and attach its assets in the Netherlands. Claims up to 25,000 euros go to the subdistrict court, where a lawyer is not mandatory. Higher claims are heard by the district court, where a lawyer is required.

What if the debtor goes bankrupt?

Then individual collection stops and you lodge your claim with the trustee in bankruptcy. Within the EU, Regulation (EU) 2015/848 governs cross-border insolvency. In practice, unsecured creditors often recover little, which is why early security such as an attachment can matter.

In doubt about your position? Book a free introductory meeting. In that meeting we discuss whether we can help and what it costs. Use our contact form, call +31 40 369 06 80.

Law & More, Marconilaan 13, 5612 HM Eindhoven (+31 40 369 06 80) and visiting location Pietersbergweg 291, 1105 BM Amsterdam (+31 20 369 71 21). Available Monday to Friday 08:00-22:00, Saturday and Sunday 09:00-17:00.

This page provides general information and does not replace advice on your specific situation.