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Debt Collection Antwerp:
if your Belgian client doesn't pay
Do you have Belgian clients in Antwerp who are not paying their invoices? Or do you have other outstanding claims in this Belgian port city? Collection Company works with the best bailiffs and attorneys in Antwerp. Together with them, we pursue your non-paying client and ensure you get paid as soon as possible.
- Nationwide coverage throughout Belgium
- One dedicated English speaking contact
- Proven track record
- Tailor-made services for each case
- Expert advice and a transparent process
- 24/7 online access
Specialized in Debt Collection in Antwerp
As an international debt collection agency Collection Company offers debt collection services in Antwerp.
Over the years, we have built a wide network of lawyers, attorneys, and bailiffs in the city. Together with them, we execute your debt collections for you. We are well-versed in debt collection procedures in Belgium and the laws and regulations we can use to recover your debt.
We can track down your debtors, send them reminders and take them to the Belgian court if necessary.
The debt collection process is always coordinated by our English-speaking international debt collections specialist who is ready to answer your questions and keep you informed. Through your own Online Cockpit, you have 24/7 access to your file.
Would you like to know more about our collection services in Antwerp? Then request a free and non-binding consultation!
Why Collection Company for debt collection in Antwerp?
- Global coverage
- One dedicated English speaking contact
- Experienced debt collection specialists with knowledge of Belgian legislation
- Broad network with local lawyers and bailiffs
- Seamless connection from extrajudicial to judicial action
- Effective local approach
- 24/7 tracking through your own Online Cockpit
Submit your claim now
Do you have money owed by a delinquent payer in Antwerp? Submit your details and we will contact you shortly to discuss your case.
How does debt collection work in Antwerp?
If your client (or another debtor) does not pay an outstanding invoice, you can engage a debt collection agency according to Belgian law. They can attempt to recover the outstanding debt in various ways.
If it’s not possible to collect your debt through an amicable procedure, we can take the case to the court in Antwerp to recover your money through a judicial process. With a judgment from the court, we can ultimately place a lien on your debtor’s assets.
- Upload your invoice online
- We'll start your case
- We'll start with the debt collection process
- Together we decide the best strategy for collecting your debts
- Monitor the status of your case 24/7
- Any questions? Your personal accountmanager will answer them all!
- Your invoice is payed
Out-of-court debt collection
The extrajudicial debt recovery starts with sending a notice of default to your debtor. Belgian law stipulates that every amicable collection must begin with a reminder. In this notice, your debtor must be given the opportunity to pay the outstanding invoice within 15 days, without any additional costs.
The notice of default must include, among other things, the identity of the creditor, the date the debt was incurred, and a clear description and justification of the amounts claimed.
We will then attempt to contact your debtor using various methods, including phone calls, emails, and WhatsApp. Throughout the process, we gradually increase the pressure. Ultimately, there will be 16 contact attempts with your debtor over a period of 3 weeks.
If your debtor does not respond to our attempts to reach them or simply refuses to pay, we will send a final reminder. In this notice, we inform your debtor that we will take legal action if payment is not received promptly. This can lead to significant costs for your debtor.
Legal procedures
If you are unable to collect your claim during the extrajudicial phase of the collection process, we can take legal measures. The court can order your debtor to pay the outstanding invoice (along with any associated costs).
Which court we need to approach depends on the amount of the claim and whether your debtor is a business.
All claims not exceeding 5,000 euros are handled in Belgium by the Justice of the Peace.
If your debtor is a business and the claim exceeds 5,000 euros, we must submit the case to the Commercial Court. Most other claims are handled by the Court of First Instance.
Starting the legal proceedings begins with engaging a bailiff in Antwerp. The bailiff can then summon your debtor. Through this summons, which the bailiff delivers to your debtor, we officially call your debtor to appear in court.
The judge will examine the case and ultimately make a ruling. If the judge grants your claim, they will order your debtor to pay the outstanding debt.
If your debtor fails to comply and the ruling is final (there are no further appeals), a court bailiff can enforce the judgment through seizure.
Alternatives to a lawsuit
In Belgium (and within the EU), there are also several options to continue the debt collection process after an amicable phase without initiating a traditional court proceedings.
Administrative Procedure
Since 2016, entrepreneurs in Belgium have been able to use an administrative procedure for the collection of undisputed debts (IOS procedure). For this, the claim must be “certain, established, and due” and not contested by the opposing party. Both parties must also be registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises.
During this procedure, a lawyer can instruct a bailiff to serve a warning to the debtor. The debtor then has 30 days to either pay the bill or contest the claim.
If they fail to do so, the bailiff will draft a report of non-contestation. This report is then granted an enforceable title by a magistrate from the Management and Supervisory Committee (BTC).
With this enforceable title, we can have a bailiff seize assets from your debtor.
European Small Claims Procedure
If you live in another EU-country than Belgium or your company is registered there, it concerns a cross-border claim. Within the European Union, there are various procedures established to collect cross-border claims. One of them is the European Small Claims Procedure. This procedure is designed to collect foreign claims of 5,000 euros or less.
To use this procedure, we can submit your claim to a court in your country. The court will then notify your debtor. Your debtor has the opportunity to respond and present their side of the story. The court may request additional information and schedule a hearing via video connection. A ruling will then be made.
That ruling is enforceable in all EU countries except Denmark. The main difference from a regular court procedure is that the process is fully digital and is handled by a judge in your country.
European Payment Order (EPO)
Another European procedure for collecting cross-border claims is to request a European Payment Order or European order for Payment Procedure (EPO). This is only possible if your debtor does not dispute the claim and is located abroad.
Requesting a European Payment Order goes through the court in your country. After filling out a few standard forms, the judge issues the payment order. If your debtor does not object, we can enforce the payment order through a bailiff in Antwerp.
How does the collection process work?
Step 1
- We begin the debt collection procedure by notifying your debtor through a payment reminder. In this, your debtor is given another 15 days to settle the invoice. After that, we will attempt to contact your debtor in various ways (by phone, email, WhatsApp). We do this 16 times over a period of 3 weeks.
Step 2
If your debtor still hasn’t paid, we will send a final reminder. In this, we inform your debtor that we will take legal action if payment is further delayed. We also mention that there will be significant costs associated with the legal process.
Step 3
Ultimately, you as the creditor can decide whether to initiate a legal collection. If this is the case, our attorneys will discuss with you the best method to recover your claim through the courts.
Interim attachment
It is possible in Belgium to have an interim attachment placed through your bailiff. This preservative attachment is intended to secure the assets of your debtor while the case is under judicial review. This way, it prevents your debtor from concealing assets before a ruling is made by the court.
In Belgium a lawyer can initiate an interim third-party attachment without the judge’s permission. The lawyer can do this based on a notarial deed or undisputed invoice.
If the court ruling ultimately goes in your favor, the attachment becomes executory. This means that you, as the creditor, can be paid out from the proceeds of the attachment.
Enforcement procedures in Antwerp
If we have obtained a judgment from the court or a payment order, we can enforce a lien on your debtor if payment is still pending. For this, we need to engage a bailiff .
The authority of bailiffs in Belgium is limited to their district. Therefore, we need to hire a bailiff from the province of Antwerp.
The bailiff can seize assets such as movable property (like household items and vehicles) and immovable property (such as office buildings, factories, and homes).
It is also possible to place a wage garnishment. In this case, a portion of your debtor’s salary is seized. If the monthly salary is insufficient to pay off the debt, the garnishment will continue in the following months until the debt is fully paid.
However, there is a garnishment limit in Belgium. This is the amount that the bailiff must leave untouched so that the debtor has enough money to live on.
File for bankruptcy
Many debtors claim that they cannot pay the outstanding amount. In that case, we can initiate bankruptcy proceedings.
In Belgium only companies can be declared bankrupt, not individuals.
To have a debtor declared bankrupt in Belgium, we must further demonstrate that they have financial problems of a lasting nature. One piece of evidence for this is that banks no longer want to provide loans. This is referred to in Belgium as “credit wobbling.”
The aim of a bankruptcy application is not to force your debtor into bankruptcy, but it serves as a strong pressure tool. When a company goes bankrupt, it essentially ceases to exist. Most entrepreneurs will want to avoid this at all costs. Often, the outstanding debt is paid immediately once a bankruptcy application is filed.
Advice about your case?
Fill in your details, and we will contact you immediately for a free consultation!
Legal fields of debt collection
As an international collection specialist at Collection Company, we handle claims in various legal areas. We can collect unpaid invoices in Antwerp, but we also manage debt collections in areas such as compensation claims or rental and purchase disputes.
We are active in the following legal fields:
- Construction law
- Rental and leasing
- Buying and selling
- Labor law
- Agency agreements
- Transport
- Damages and wrongful acts
Our specialists work directly for clients, but intermediaries such as law firms and accounting offices can also use our services.
Other debt collection services
- Reliable advice on contracts and terms
- Credit information about companies in Antwerp
- Disputes including issues like Retention of Title and right of recourse
- Mediating in reaching private settlements and agreements
Free consultation
You can submit your debt collection cases directly to us via our debt collection registration form. Would you like to consult with a collection specialist first? Leave your details or call us at 070 – 762 0330.
Start collecting your debt
Submit your personal information and plan your free consult.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about debt collection in Antwerp
FAQ: What do we need to collect your money in Antwerp?
We would like to receive as many documents and pieces of evidence related to your debt collection case as possible. These may serve as proof for your claim at a later stage. For example, consider closed agreements, invoices, payment reminders, email correspondence, and bank statements.
Missing any documents? That’s not a problem either. We understand better than anyone that not every file is complete right away. Our debt collections specialist can discuss the case with you and determine what evidence you do have for your claim.
If you have them, we would like to receive the following documents:
- A copy of the agreement
- Email correspondence with a confirmation
- A fax confirmation
- Your summary of what was agreed upon
- Invoices
- Reminders
- A copy of your general terms and conditions
- Possibly proof of delivery
FAQ: Do you need a lawyer for collections in Antwerp?
In Belgium, it is always necessary to hire a lawyer if you want to initiate legal proceedings against your debtor, even for small claims.
Collection Company works with the best debt collection lawyers in Antwerp. Therefore, we can easily initiate legal action against your debtor in Belgium.
FAQ: What is the statute of limitations for claims in Belgium?
In Belgium, there is a statute of limitations, but it only applies if your debtor actively invokes it. For contractual obligations, the statute of limitations is 10 years. For non-contractual obligations (such as damages), the statute of limitations is 5 years. Additionally, for certain specific claims, shorter limitation periods of 1 or 2 years apply. Therefore, it is important to take action quickly if you have a claim against someone. The statute of limitations typically begins to run from the moment the goods are delivered or on the due date of the invoice.
FAQ: What should I do if I haven't received my salary from my employer in Antwerp?
If your employer in Antwerp does not pay your salary, you can file a wage claim. Belgium has a special Labor Court where all labor-related matters, including wage claims, are handled.
FAQ: Why Collection Company for debt collections in Antwerp?
Are you looking for a collection agency in Antwerp? Collection Company specializes in international collections, working with local specialists. This means you have a clear point of contact, and we can engage the right specialist for each issue.
You won’t have to maintain contact with local parties or hire third parties for different stages of the collection process. Unlike most collection agencies, Collection Company can handle your entire collection from A to Z.
Why 40.000 customers tried our services
- The #1 collection company in the Netherlands and abroad
- Regional & local specialists
- Years of experience with international invoices
- Your own personal contact
- Extensive advice on the legal process
- Monitor the status of your case 24/7
Meet our specialized legal team
Joost Konings LLMLaw expert- May Leung LLMLaw expert
- Wesley Boeters LLMInterim lawyer
