Debt Collection in
Germany  

  • Effortlessly start your case within 2 minutes
  • German-speaking debt collection lawyers
  • Assistance in the pre-legal phase with a Mahnschreiben or Mahnverfahren and Klageverfahren in the judicial phase
  • Debt collection in Berlin, Hamburg or Munich? 95% success rate throughout Germany
  • No Cure No Pay Fee debt collection
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Debt Collection Germany
Meet our German
debt collection specialists
Debt collection in Germany

Did you know that debt recovery in Germany has some unique obstacles? One such obstacle is that the German law offers debtors more legal protection than they would get in most other countries. Having a local lawyer who knows all the ins and outs of German debt collection procedures and laws can help you recover the payment you are entitled to. With native German-speaking specialists, our lawyers can solve your debt collection cases in Germany on a No Cure No Pay basis. For complex legal cases, our lawyers can also tell you everything about relevant German debt collection laws and strategies such as the Mahnverfahren or Klageverfahren. With our German Desk by your side, we won’t let your debtor get away with non-payment and solve your debt collection in Germany as swiftly and efficiently as possible. Why wait around? Get started and upload your claim today.

 
Submit your case before 16.00pm and we will act today!
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your claim

Recover your unpaid invoices in Germany in 7 simple steps

  • Step 1: You can easily upload your claim here. All you have to do is enter your details, your debtor’s details and information regarding your unpaid invoice in Germany.
  • Step 2: Your German caseworker will send a Mahnschreiben, the first demand letter. This will be written in German and customised according to your case.
  • Step 3: We start our investigation by checking international credit reports and local databases such as the Bundesrepublik Deutschland Finanzagentur GmbH. This way we can understand why the invoice was not paid. This helps us to define our strategy too.
  • Step 4: Your German caseworker will reach out to you. Whether you prefer a harsh or soft approach, we adjust our strategy accordingly. Moreover, you can track the status of your case 24/7 through our online portal.
  • Step 5: If your German debtor fails to respond to the Mahnschreiben, then we are just about to get started. Our efforts do not just stop there. We will contact your debtor by phone and e-mail. We speak to your debtor, which puts them off their guard and avoids any miscommunication.
  • Step 6: We can also pay your German debtor a visit. With our contacts across Germany and private detectives, we can further investigate your debtor.
  • Step 7: 95% of our cases are solved in the extrajudicial phase without court intervention. With the expertise of our native in-house specialists and the various resources that we have in store for your German debtor, we can collect your claim. If your debtor refuses to pay or disputes the case, we can continue in the legal phase in consultation with you. Before doing so, we extensively discuss your options and possible costs.
 
Submit your case before 16.00pm and we will act today!
Upload
your claim

German-speaking lawyers: Meet our debt collection experts

With our native in-house specialists, we can overcome any language or cultural barriers. Our German specialists contact your debtor in their native language and are familiar with the German business culture. Based on our experience, we’ve seen that this works. Because we adapt our strategy by sending letters drafted in German and customising according to your case, your debtor is more inclined to pay. Your debtor is made aware of all the consequences of non-payment and knows we mean business.

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  • Fast solutions for your cases
  • Real measures to recover your payments
  • The best results for the lowest costs

No Win No Fee Debt collection agency in Germany

With No Win No Fee debt collection, you are in a much stronger position than when hiring a regular debt collection agency in Germany. A regular debt collection agency in Germany cannot do anything you can do yourself. With Bierens, you are charged the costs of a regular debt collection agency in Germany for the quality of a debt collection lawyer.

If legal proceedings are necessary, then we agree on a fixed or hourly fee with you in advance. For a full overview, you can view our fees here.

No win No fee

German debt collection laws

If your debtor refuses to pay in the extrajudicial phase, then we can go to court in consultation with you. We always consider the strategy that will guarantee you the maximum chances of success. For example, if your company is established abroad and you have a German debtor, then our German lawyer will work with you to contact your debtor. At the same time, our German lawyer will work closely with a lawyer from your country to determine the best strategy for your legal proceedings. With different laws, regulations, limitation periods in Germany, our lawyers can help initiate the following procedures:

Debt collection in germany
Enforcement order

The Mahnverfahren

The Mahnverfahren is an accelerated procedure for undisputed claims. It’s known for its speed, simplicity, and low cost. Within a relatively short period of time, you can obtain an enforcement order (Vollstreckungsbescheid), which orders the debtor to pay both your claim and the costs of the proceedings. Your debtor only has a few weeks to lodge an appeal. If that does not happen, then the order for payment becomes legally binding and we continue to enforce the verdict.

The Klageverfahren

For disputed cases, we advise starting with an ordinary civil procedure known as the Klageverfahren. Both parties must substantiate their statement with supporting documents. After one or more court hearings, the court will make a judgment.

Disputed case

Vollstreckbare Ausfertigung: debt collection enforcement in Germany

Once a verdict has been announced against your German debtor, you and your debtor will receive an official document from the court. This document will be labelled with the text Vollstreckbare Ausfertigung, which translates to an enforceable document.

Read more →

Limitation period in Germany

Business claims in Germany are often subjected to a period of 3 years. The limitation period in Germany commences at the end of the year the claim arises, which may differ than the laws posed in your country.

Read more →

International debt collection laws

If you and your debtor are both members of the EU, then our lawyers can also initiate the following international debt collection procedures on your behalf:

European Small Claims procedure→
European Order for Payment procedure →

Why hire Bierens rather than a regular debt collection agency in Germany?

  • German-speaking debt collection lawyers
  • Highest collection rate throughout Germany
  • Extensive measures to recover your German debt extrajudicially and judicially
  • No Win No Fee debt collection
  • Immediate action after uploading your claim

“Did you know that in Germany it is the court who appoints the bailiff? In order to enforce a judgement, an official court order is required.”

Start your debt collection in Germany today

Start your debt collection case in Germany today! While our German Desk get started on your case, you can resume your regular business operations. Upload your case for immediate action or contact our experts today.

 

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  • Fast solutions for your cases
  • Real measures to recover your payments
  • The best results for the lowest costs

Find out how we have helped others with debt collection in Germany

From simple debt collection cases to complex legal matters, from small businesses to multinationals across different industries, our specialists have assisted over 24.000 companies worldwide, including Germany. Find out how our German specialists and lawyers have helped other companies in a similar situation and find the solution for debt collection in Germany.

Frequently asked questions about debt recovery in Germany

What are the costs for a debt collection case in Germany?

We handle all out of court cases on a No Cure No Pay basis, also in Germany. You only pay €185,- for research costs. Our aim is to recover the principal amount including interest and costs from your debtor. If you decide to take legal action against your debtor, then we move to an hourly or fixed fee. We do not have any hidden costs and will first consult you before proceeding with any action.

How will you contact my German debtor?

We will always contact your debtor by sending an initial demand letter and a phone call. Most importantly, our native lawyers contact your debtor in German. This way we overcome any cultural and language barriers.

How long does an average debt collection procedure in Germany take?

This depends on each situation and debtor. We always start in the amicable debt collection phase. This process takes a relatively short time because we provide your debtor with limited time to complete the payment. When starting your case, your caseworker will provide an estimate on the duration of your case. If legal proceedings are necessary, the debt collection process takes longer. The duration depends on the legal proceedings and whether the debtor raises a defence. Compared to other European countries, legal proceedings in Germany can be shorter.

When is a debt collection case taken to court?

Our preference is to collect your claim without court intervention. Therefore, we always start a collection in the amicable phase. If this has no effect, then we proceed with court action. However, we always do so in consultation with you first.

What chances do I have for a successful recovery in Germany?

The chance for a successful recovery depends on the nature of your debt collection case. 95% of the cases that we solve are successfully done so on a No Cure No Pay basis. Our specialists and lawyers always do their utmost to ensure to collect your claim as fast and efficiently as possible. We always make sure to give you honest and practical advice that will deliver you the best results.

What possibilities do I have for debt collection in Germany?

Our debt collection in Germany always starts within the extrajudicial phase. If legal proceedings are necessary, we can proceed with the Mahnverfahren, Klageverfahren or international procedures such as the European Small Claims or European Order for Payment.

Can I apply for a bankruptcy petition in Germany?

With different rules and regulations towards unpaying debtors, different rules also apply for the bankruptcy petition. Often strict regulations hold, and you will need sufficient information to substantiate your claim. For more information, you contact our German Desk.

Can I appoint a German bailiff myself?

German bailiffs are civil servants and not free entrepreneurs. In Germany, bailiffs are affiliated with a particular court and have a fixed district. It is therefore not possible to choose a bailiff or to urge them to act with greater urgency. Normally, four to six months pass before there is any news about the enforcement by a bailiff. Of course, we keep an eye out for your case and try to get in touch with the bailiff regularly. An advantage of this process is that the rate is relatively low.

What is the limitation period in Germany?

In Germany, invoices have a limitation period of 3 years, which applies at the end of the year the claim has arisen. For cases in the transport sector, 1 year is applicable instead. In some countries, limitation periods can be interrupted by sending a demand letter. In Germany however, the limitation period of invoices can only be interrupted with a court verdict.

What is the Mahnverfahren?

The Mahnverfahren is an accelerated procedure commonly used in Germany for undisputed claims. By means of this procedure, an enforceable title can be obtained against the debtor in a relatively short period of time. In Germany, an enforcement order is a precondition for the seizure of assets by a bailiff and the subsequent recovery of the debtor's assets, e.g. through a public sale.

What is the cost for the Mahnverfahren?

The costs of the Mahnverfahren depend on the amount of the claim. Therefore, it is best to contact our specialists to receive an accurate estimation. It is also important to note that the costs for enforcing proceedings or bailiffs may result in additional costs. In all cases, we aim to collect the entire principal amount of interest and costs from your German debtor.

How successful is the Mahnverfahren?

In the Mahnverfahren, the debtor has the opportunity to defend himself in a simple manner. In this way, the debtor can delay the proceedings. Nevertheless, this procedure is preferable to proceedings on the merits (writ of summons), as proceedings on the merits always take longer and involve higher costs. In the vast majority of cases, no defence is put forward. If the debtor does put forward a defence in the Mahnverfahren, we can always continue with proceedings on the merits.