Recovering outstanding amounts from commercial partners in European Union member states may seem complicated, costly, and time-consuming. Fortunately, there is an efficient legal method created specifically for such situations: the European Payment Order.
This mechanism simplifies cross-border debt recovery and offers creditors a clear, fast, and predictable procedure.
What is the European Payment Order?
The European Payment Order is a procedure regulated at the European Union level, designed for the recovery of certain and due debts in civil and commercial matters, when the creditor and debtor are located in different member states.
Its purpose is to enable the obtaining of an enforceable title valid in EU member states, without the need to go through a lengthy traditional court process.
Main Advantages
- Fast procedure – the Court can issue the Order within a relatively short timeframe if the documentation is complete.
- Reduced costs – compared to traditional international litigation, the procedure involves significantly lower costs.
- Easy enforcement in the EU – the Order becomes enforceable and can be executed in other member states.
- Real legal pressure on the debtor – receiving an official European legal document frequently leads to voluntary payment or the opening of negotiations.
How does the procedure work?
- Preparation of the application and supporting documentation.
- Filing the case with the competent Court.
- Review of the request and issuance of the European Payment Order, in the absence of justified opposition (objection) from the debtor.
- Recovery of the debt through enforcement procedures against the debtor in the state where they have accounts/assets (in case they do not pay voluntarily after being notified of the commencement of enforcement proceedings).
For the success of the procedure, it is important to have:
- confirmed contracts or orders
- issued invoices
- proof of delivery/performance
- relevant commercial correspondence
It should be noted that prompt intervention significantly increases the chances of full recovery of the amounts owed. In this regard, we can assist you in recovering international debts through efficient legal strategies and procedures tailored to each case.
Please contact us for a preliminary assessment of your case and identification of the most efficient recovery solution.
