Recovering unpaid debts follows a predictable framework regardless of jurisdiction. The specific tools change by country, but the structure remains consistent.
Before initiating recovery, assemble: the original contract or purchase order, all invoices, proof of delivery or service completion, all correspondence (especially any debtor acknowledgment of the debt), and a calculation of interest and costs owed. Courts require documentary evidence. Verbal agreements are nearly impossible to enforce.
A properly formatted demand letter in the debtor's language, sent with proof of receipt, citing the legal consequences of non-payment. In civil law jurisdictions (Germany, France, Spain), the mise en demeure or Mahnung is a formal legal prerequisite to court proceedings.
Check commercial credit reports. Is the debtor solvent? Still operating? Facing other collection actions? Pursuing an insolvent debtor generates legal costs without recovery. Better to know before spending money.
Undisputed claim? Use the local fast-track: Mahnverfahren (Germany), monitorio (Spain), injonction de payer (France), betalningsföreläggande (Sweden). Disputed claim? Full litigation with cost-benefit analysis first. Cross-border? Engage an international collection agency with local expertise.
A judgment without enforcement is an expensive certificate. Bank account seizure, salary garnishment, property attachment, and insolvency proceedings convert judgments into cash. Enforce immediately — debtors who ignore court judgments are unlikely to pay voluntarily.
Our debt recovery agency with over 21 years of experience provides: Business to Business Collections Services, Legal Debt Collections and worldwide Skip Tracing services.
