Germany offers creditors one of Europe's most efficient collection systems, anchored by the Mahnverfahren and backed by powerful enforcement tools.
Germany's electronic payment order procedure. Filed online at the central Mahngericht. Cost: EUR 36 for a EUR 10,000 claim. Timeline: 4 weeks for uncontested claims. If the debtor doesn't object within 14 days, the court issues a Vollstreckungsbescheid (enforcement order) — equivalent to a court judgment.
German collection agencies (Inkassobüros) are regulated under the Rechtsdienstleistungsgesetz. They must be registered and may charge statutory collection costs (Inkassokosten) in addition to the debt amount and interest.
Kontopfändung (bank account seizure), Lohnpfändung (salary garnishment), Sachpfändung (asset seizure) through the Gerichtsvollzieher (court bailiff). Germany's P-Konto system protects basic personal banking but does not apply to corporate accounts.
Base rate + 9 percentage points for B2B claims (BGB § 288). Currently among the highest statutory interest rates in Europe.
3 years from the end of the year in which the claim arose (§ 195 BGB). This makes early action essential.
Our debt recovery agency with over 21 years of experience provides: Business to Business Collections Services, Legal Debt Collections and worldwide Skip Tracing services.
