Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Europe
Recover an Overseas Debt Without Getting Lost in Foreign Courts
A customer abroad who has stopped paying, a distributor holding back sums, a partner across a border who will not respond — cross-border debts add language, jurisdiction and enforcement to an already difficult problem. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer experienced in international debt recovery who can pursue the debt in the debtor’s own country.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
A debt across a border is a different animal from a domestic one
International debt recovery is the pursuit of money owed by a debtor in another country — a customer who has not paid an export invoice, a foreign distributor holding back sums, or a business partner abroad who has stopped responding. Cross-border debts add layers of complexity: different legal systems, languages and court procedures, questions over which country’s law applies and where proceedings should be brought, and the challenge of enforcing a judgment once you have obtained it. Within the EU and EEA, helpful instruments exist to simplify cross-border claims and the recognition of judgments, but the rules still vary and deadlines still matter. Getting the first steps right is often decisive. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer experienced in cross-border debt recovery who can pursue the debt in the debtor’s own country.
Why cross-border debts stall
International debts rarely fail on the merits.
They fail on jurisdiction, choice of law and enforcement.
Choosing the wrong forum, or missing a deadline in a foreign procedure, can quietly sink an otherwise winnable claim.
Which law even applies?
A contract with a foreign customer raises immediate questions of jurisdiction and applicable law. Choosing the wrong forum, or missing a choice-of-law clause, can mean your claim is heard somewhere unexpected — or thrown out on a technicality.
A debtor hiding behind the border
Debtors who assume a foreign creditor will not pursue them across a border often simply stop responding, confident that the distance, language and cost will deter you. That confidence is frequently misplaced — but only if you act correctly.
Enforcing in a foreign court
Winning a judgment in your own country is only the first step; enforcing it against a debtor abroad requires recognition in their jurisdiction, which has its own rules, forms and time limits that vary from country to country.
What you get
A cross-border debt recovery lawyer who actually works your case
We only match you with lawyers who handle cross-border debt recovery regularly, practising in the debtor’s jurisdiction.
Jurisdiction and law determined first
Your lawyer identifies where the claim should be brought and which law governs it, using the contract, the parties’ location and the relevant EU or national rules — so the case is started in the right place from day one.
Local recovery in the debtor’s country
Rather than struggling in a foreign language and legal system yourself, you are matched with a lawyer who practises in the debtor’s jurisdiction and knows its courts, procedures and enforcement tools.
EU instruments used to your advantage
Where the debtor is in the EU or EEA, your lawyer can use the simplified procedures available for cross-border claims and the recognition of judgments, which can make recovery significantly faster and cheaper.
Enforcement planned from the outset
Your lawyer considers how any judgment will actually be enforced in the debtor’s country before you commit to litigation, so you are not left with a paper victory and no practical way to collect.
Coverage
International debt recovery across Europe
Cross-border recovery depends on where the debtor is based and where their assets sit, so the right lawyer practises in that jurisdiction. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
International debt recovery — common questions
What is international debt recovery?
The pursuit of money owed by a debtor located in a different country from the creditor. It involves questions of which country’s law applies, where proceedings should be brought, and how any judgment is then enforced across the border.
Which country’s law applies to my cross-border debt?
It depends on the contract, where the parties are based and whether a choice of law was agreed. Within the EU, common rules help determine the answer, but the specifics of your case need to be assessed by a lawyer familiar with cross-border claims.
Do I need a lawyer in the debtor’s country?
Usually yes. While some EU procedures allow you to pursue a cross-border claim with less involvement from a local lawyer, enforcement and contested matters generally require someone who practises in the debtor’s jurisdiction and knows its courts.
Can I use the EU’s simplified procedures for cross-border claims?
In many cases, yes. The EU provides instruments such as the European Payment Order and the European Small Claims Procedure, which can make pursuing certain cross-border debts faster and cheaper. Your lawyer can confirm whether your claim qualifies.
How do I enforce a foreign judgment?
Within the EU, judgments from one member state are generally recognised and enforceable in another under common rules, though the procedure varies. Outside the EU, recognition depends on treaties or local law and can be more complex.
Is international debt recovery worth the cost?
It depends on the amount owed, the debtor’s solvency and the countries involved. Small debts are sometimes not economical to pursue. Your lawyer can give an honest assessment of the likely cost and prospects before you commit.
Free case review
Bring a cross-border debt back home
Tell us where the debtor is based and what is owed, and we’ll match you, free of charge, with a lawyer experienced in recovering cross-border debts in that country.