Litigation & Dispute Resolution · European Union
Recover an Unpaid Debt with a European Payment Order
When a customer or business partner in another EU country simply won’t pay, chasing them through a full court case is slow and expensive. The European Payment Order gives you a faster, cheaper route to an enforceable claim. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who prepares and files EPO claims every day.
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Who this is for
A simplified, paper-based way to collect uncontested cross-border debts
The European Payment Order is a procedure created by EU regulation that lets a creditor pursue an uncontested monetary claim against a debtor in another EU member state without a full court hearing. Instead of litigating, you file a standard application setting out the amount owed, the grounds and supporting evidence; if the court is satisfied, it issues an order that the debtor can either pay or oppose. Because the process is largely written and uses standardised forms available in every official EU language, it is typically faster and cheaper than conventional cross-border litigation. It is best suited to clear, documented debts — unpaid invoices, loans or contractual payments — where the debtor has no genuine dispute. Suppliers selling into other EU markets, freelancers and lenders owed money abroad all turn to the European Payment Order as a pragmatic first step before considering full proceedings.
Why creditors hesitate
Cross-border debt recovery feels like more trouble than the debt is worth.
The Payment Order is designed to change that.
Many valid claims go uncollected simply because the mechanics of suing in another country seem overwhelming.
Full litigation is disproportionate
For a modest unpaid invoice, a complete cross-border court case with hearings, translations and enforcement can cost more than the debt itself — leaving creditors to write off money they are genuinely owed.
Language and form barriers
Applying to a foreign court in another language, using unfamiliar forms and procedures, is intimidating for any business — and a single procedural slip can delay the claim or get it rejected outright.
Opposition and its consequences
If the debtor opposes the order, the claim automatically shifts into ordinary civil proceedings in that country — a fork in the road many creditors are unprepared for and unsure how to navigate.
What you get
A lawyer who pursues your debt through the right procedure
We only match you with dispute lawyers who handle European Payment Order and cross-border debt claims regularly.
Eligibility check
Your lawyer confirms the claim qualifies for the European Payment Order — that it is an uncontested, monetary, cross-border claim — and advises honestly whether it is the right route or whether another procedure suits better.
Application prepared
The standard application form is completed in the appropriate language and language format, with the amount, interest, costs and evidence set out correctly so the court can process it without delay.
Opposition handled
If the debtor opposes the order, your lawyer guides the transfer into ordinary civil proceedings, advises on the realistic cost and prospects, and prepares the case rather than leaving it to stall.
Enforcement follow-through
Once the order becomes enforceable, your lawyer coordinates recognition and enforcement against the debtor’s assets in the relevant country, so the claim turns into actual payment.
Coverage
European Payment Order lawyers across the EU
The European Payment Order applies in cross-border cases between EU member states, with the notable exception of Denmark. The right lawyer is one based where the debtor is located or where you will enforce. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
European Payment Order — common questions
What is a European Payment Order?
It is an EU procedure for recovering an uncontested monetary claim against a debtor in another member state without a full court hearing. You file a standardised application, and if the court is satisfied, it issues an order the debtor can pay or formally oppose.
When can I use a European Payment Order?
It is available for cross-border claims for a specific sum of money that is due and uncontested, in civil and commercial matters. It does not cover certain areas such as family, inheritance, social security or revenue matters, and it does not apply to Denmark.
How is a cross-border case defined?
A case is considered cross-border when at least one party is domiciled or habitually resident in a member state other than the state of the court handling the application. Your lawyer can confirm whether your particular claim meets this test.
What happens if the debtor opposes the order?
If the debtor lodges a statement of opposition within the permitted period, the procedure automatically continues as ordinary civil proceedings in the member state of origin — unless you have indicated that you do not wish this to happen.
Is a European Payment Order faster than normal litigation?
It is generally quicker and cheaper because it is a written procedure using standard forms with no hearing required. However, actual timescales vary by country and depend on whether the debtor opposes the claim.
Do I need a lawyer to file a European Payment Order?
You are not always required to have legal representation to file, but a lawyer who works with these claims regularly can confirm eligibility, complete the forms correctly in the right language, and handle any opposition or enforcement that follows.
Free case review
Stop writing off cross-border debts you are owed
Tell us about your unpaid claim and where the debtor is based, and we’ll connect you with a lawyer who handles European Payment Order claims every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.