Litigation & Dispute Resolution · European Union
Enforce a Foreign Judgment Across European Borders
Winning a case abroad is only half the battle — if the losing party or their assets sit in another country, the judgment must be recognised there before it can be enforced. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who handles the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments under EU rules and national law.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
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Who this is for
A judgment from one country does not automatically bite in another
A court judgment only produces legal effect in the country that issued it. To collect on a debt, seize an asset, or compel a party located elsewhere in Europe to comply, the judgment generally has to be formally recognised in the country where enforcement is sought. Within the EU, a framework of regulations allows many civil and commercial judgments to circulate more easily between member states, but the rules still differ depending on the type of judgment, the countries involved, and how the original case was conducted. Outside that framework, recognition may depend on bilateral treaties or purely national rules, which can be far more demanding. Businesses recovering cross-border debts, former spouses enforcing maintenance orders, and anyone holding a judgment against a party who has moved or holds assets abroad all face the same practical question: how to turn a foreign decision into something a local court will actually enforce.
Why enforcement stalls
Recognition is rarely automatic.
The process, the deadlines and the grounds for refusal all vary.
A valid judgment can still be blocked on procedural grounds if the right steps are not taken in the right country.
Grounds for refusal
Recognition can be refused where the original proceedings breached a party’s right to be heard, where the judgment conflicts with an earlier decision, or where it offends the enforcing country’s public policy — each ground applied differently from one jurisdiction to the next.
Finding the right procedure
Some judgments are recognised through a simplified EU procedure, while others require a full national exequatur-style application, and the correct route depends on the countries, the subject matter and the age of the case — getting it wrong wastes months.
Locating assets to enforce against
Recognition is worthless if you cannot identify what to enforce against. Tracing a debtor’s bank accounts, property or business interests across borders, then securing them before they move, is a separate and often decisive challenge.
What you get
A lawyer who turns your foreign judgment into local enforcement
We only match you with dispute lawyers who regularly handle cross-border recognition and enforcement in your target country.
Route assessment
Your lawyer identifies whether your judgment falls under an EU regulation, a bilateral treaty or national rules, and maps the exact recognition route available — before any application is filed.
Recognition application
Get the correct application or declaration prepared and lodged with the right local court, with supporting translations, certified copies and evidence of service handled to the enforcing country’s standard.
Grounds for refusal checked
Your lawyer reviews the original proceedings for procedural defects the other side could raise, and advises you honestly on the realistic chances of recognition before you commit to the process.
Enforcement & asset tracing
Once recognised, your lawyer coordinates the actual enforcement — locating assets, freezing accounts and registering the judgment where needed so the decision finally produces a result.
Coverage
Recognition lawyers across Europe
Recognition depends on the enforcing country’s courts and procedures, so the right lawyer is one based where enforcement will actually happen. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Recognition of foreign judgments — common questions
What does recognition of a foreign judgment actually mean?
Recognition is the formal step by which a court in one country accepts that a judgment issued in another country has legal effect there. It is usually a prerequisite to enforcement, such as seizing assets or compelling payment, and the procedure varies depending on the countries and the type of judgment involved.
Are EU judgments automatically recognised in other EU countries?
Within the EU, many civil and commercial judgments benefit from simplified recognition under EU regulations, often without a separate declaration procedure. However, the rules depend on the regulation that applies, the type of claim and the countries involved, and grounds for refusal can still be raised.
Can a foreign judgment be refused recognition?
Yes. Typical grounds include a serious breach of the right to be heard, conflict with an earlier judgment, or incompatibility with the enforcing country’s public policy. The specific grounds and how they are applied differ from one jurisdiction to another.
What about judgments from outside the EU?
Judgments from non-EU countries generally fall outside the EU’s simplified regime. Recognition then depends on bilateral treaties or the enforcing country’s national rules, which are often more restrictive and require a full court application.
Do I need a lawyer in the country where I want to enforce?
Almost always, yes. Recognition and enforcement take place in the enforcing country’s courts, using its procedures and language. A local lawyer who works with those courts regularly is best placed to prepare and lodge the application correctly.
How long does recognition and enforcement take?
Timescales vary considerably by country, the route available and whether the other party contests the application. Uncontested EU procedures are typically faster, while contested national applications can take considerably longer — your lawyer can give a realistic estimate for your specific case.
Free case review
Turn your foreign judgment into real enforcement
Tell us where your judgment was issued and where you need it enforced, and we’ll connect you with a lawyer who handles recognition in that country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.