Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Europe
Recover the Money You Are Owed — Quickly and Lawfully
Unpaid invoices and overdue debts tie up your cash flow, absorb your time and, left unchecked, can threaten your business. We match you, free of charge, with a debt recovery lawyer in the relevant country who can pursue what you are owed efficiently and lawfully.
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- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
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Who this is for
Unpaid invoices are one of the most common — and most damaging — problems a business faces
Debt recovery is the process of pursuing money that is owed to you and has not been paid — unpaid invoices, overdue loans, unpaid rent, or amounts due under a contract or judgment. For a business, late and non-payment is more than an irritation: it ties up cash flow, absorbs management time and, if ignored, can threaten the survival of the company itself. The law on recovering debts — the pre-action steps, the formal demand, interest, costs and the court or enforcement procedure — varies from one European country to the next, and getting the sequence right matters. Acting too slowly, or in the wrong way, can make a recoverable debt harder to collect. We match you, free of charge, with a debt recovery lawyer in the relevant country who can pursue what you are owed efficiently and lawfully.
Why debts go unpaid
Debts rarely become unrecoverable overnight.
They rot while the creditor waits for promises that never come.
Every week a debt is left unchallenged makes it harder to collect — and the wrong first step can weaken your position.
Promises that never become payment
Debtors who always have a reason, a delay or a new excuse. Each promise of ‘next week’ costs you another week of cash flow, and without firm, formal action the cycle simply continues until the debt is forgotten or written off.
Disputed invoices used as a stalling tactic
A sudden, vague dispute raised only after a demand for payment can be a deliberate delay. Separating genuine disputes from stalling, and responding with the correct legal steps, is essential to keep the debt recoverable.
A debtor who has disappeared or cannot pay
When a debtor ignores letters, moves premises or simply has no assets, recovery becomes a question of strategy — whether and how to enforce, and whether pursuing the debt is economically worthwhile at all.
What you get
A debt recovery lawyer who actually works your case
We only match you with lawyers who handle debt recovery regularly in the relevant country.
Formal demand that gets results
A correctly drafted letter before action, setting out the debt, interest and the legal consequences of non-payment, is often enough on its own to prompt payment. Your lawyer issues demands that debtors take seriously.
Interest and costs recovered
Where the contract or the law allows, your lawyer pursues not only the principal debt but also statutory interest and the costs of recovery, so you are not left out of pocket for chasing your own money.
The right enforcement route chosen
If the debtor still does not pay, your lawyer advises on the best enforcement option available in that country — whether a court judgment, a payment order or another procedure — and executes it for you.
Realistic advice on whether to pursue
Sometimes a debtor has no recoverable assets and further costs would be wasted. Your lawyer gives you an honest assessment of the prospects and the economics before you spend money on a debt that cannot be collected.
Coverage
Debt recovery lawyers across Europe
Debt recovery procedures, interest rules and enforcement tools are set nationally, so the right lawyer practises in the debtor’s country. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Debt recovery — common questions
What is debt recovery?
The process of pursuing money owed to you — unpaid invoices, loans, rent or amounts due under a contract — through formal demand and, where necessary, legal and enforcement action. The aim is to recover the debt as efficiently and lawfully as possible.
What should I do when an invoice goes unpaid?
Act promptly. Send a clear, formal reminder setting out the amount, the due date and the consequences of non-payment, and keep records of every step. The longer a debt is left, the harder it often becomes to collect, so early legal advice is valuable.
Can I charge interest on a late payment?
Often yes. Many European countries provide for statutory interest on late commercial payments, and your contract may specify a rate. A lawyer can confirm what applies to your debt and ensure it is included in any demand.
Do I have to go to court to recover a debt?
Not always. A well-drafted formal demand frequently secures payment without court action. Where it does not, many countries offer streamlined procedures for undisputed debts, with full court proceedings reserved for contested cases.
What if the debtor disputes the debt?
A genuine dispute changes the picture and may need to be resolved before or alongside recovery. Your lawyer will assess whether the dispute is substantive or a stalling tactic and advise on the most effective way forward.
How long does debt recovery take?
It varies widely. Undisputed debts can sometimes be recovered within weeks through a strong demand or a fast-track procedure, while contested claims take longer. The debtor’s solvency and willingness to engage are the key factors.
Free case review
Stop chasing — start recovering what you are owed
Tell us who owes you, how much and since when, and we’ll match you, free of charge, with a debt recovery lawyer in the relevant country who can pursue it for you.