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Debt Collection Greece:
fast and efficient debt recovery

It’s highly inconvenient if your customer in Greece doesn’t pay an invoice you have sent. Collecting your money yourself is complicated and time-consuming. Fortunately, you can give your claim to Collection Company. We initiate a debt collection procedure in Greece and make sure you get what you’re owed.

With our international debt collection strategy and the assistance of our local specialists, we can collect your money quickly and efficiently, without you having to worry much about it. Submit your claim within minutes and we’ll start working on it today.

Submit your invoice before 4:00 p.m. and we'll start today!

Specialized in debt collection in Greece

As a foreign creditor, you are in a difficult position. If you have a Greek business partner who doesn’t pay their invoices, you suddenly need to figure out how to collect your debt. But where do you find that information? You probably don’t speak Greek, and suddenly you’ll have to deal with different legislation you’re not familiar with. Meanwhile, every day your invoice remains unpaid, the chance increases that there will be nothing left to collect from your debtor.

As a specialist in international debt collection, Collection Company can recover your outstanding debts. We have developed an advanced debt collection strategy, working together with local lawyers, legal experts, and bailiffs. They are well-versed in the legislation regarding debt collection in the respective country and are also aware of local trade traditions. This way, they know exactly what needs to be done to collect your money as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Moreover, as a customer, you have one English-speaking contact. This debt recovery specialist manages the process and maintains contact with the parties in Greece. We take care of coordinating the local specialists, as well as translating and sending documents. This way, you hardly have to spend any time on the collection procedure yourself.

You can track the progress of the debt collection process 24/7 in your own Online Cockpit.

Expert in international debt collection

File your claim now

Has the due date of your invoice expired? Leave your contact details, and one of our international debt collection specialists will get in touch with you to discuss your case.

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    How does debt collection in Greece work?

    The collection process in Greece can be divided into two different phases that are interconnected; the extrajudicial debt collection trajectory and a judicial debt collection procedure.

    Extrajudicial or amicable debt collection is attempting to collect an outstanding bill without going to court. In this phase of the debt collection process, as a debt collection agency, we send payment reminders to your debtor and get in touch with them by e-mail, sms and phone calls. In the vast majority of cases, this is sufficient to get your outstanding invoice paid.

    If an amicable debt collection procedure does not result in the desired payment, we can initiate a legal procedure. We initiate legal action against your debtor and can enforce a judgment from the court.

    Extrajudicial debt collection in Greece

    As a general rule, an extrajudicial debt recovery is a fast way to collect your money with low debt collection costs. In most cases, a letter or a call from a professional debt collection agency is sufficient to make your debtor pay. This eliminates the need to initiate costly legal proceedings.

    During the extrajudicial phase, we send your debtor a written reminder (on our behalf). We do this in the debtor’s language. Additionally, we contact your debtor by phone, email, and text message. This allows us to find out the reason for the non-payment and persuade your debtor to pay. Throughout the process, we gradually increase the pressure. There are a total of 16 points of contact over a period of three weeks.

    Ultimately, we send a final reminder stating clearly that we will take legal action by starting a civil procedure if the payment is not received by the date specified in this final letter. We explain immediately that this will incur high costs for the debtor.

    Judicial debt collection

    If a conflict has arisen with your debtor regarding the services rendered or the invoice, or if we are simply dealing with a persistent defaulter, we can start a legal process in Greece to enforce payment. In Greece, depending on the amount of the claim, there are a number of legal procedures available.

    Small claims

    For small monetary claims there is a special fast-track procedure in Greece. If you have a claim of less than € 5000, it will be processed through this Small Claims Procedure. Just like in other judicial procedures, we start the legal phase by summoning your debtor. During the case the parties can represent themselves so they don’t have to hire a lawyer. They can submit evidence and request a hearing, but this is not mandatory. Ultimately, the judge will make a ruling. There is no possibility of appeal against this judgment.

    Under € 20.000

    Cases involving claims up to €20,000 are handled by the Magistrates’ Court (Ειρηνοδικείο). For this process, we also need to summon your debtor. Subsequently, the case is more extensively dealt with due to the higher stake than in the Small Claims Procedure. Additionally, there is the option to appeal a ruling by the Magistrates’ Court.

    Up to € 250.000

    If you have a claim of more than € 20,000 but less than € 250,000, your case will be handled by the single judge’s chamber of the Court of First Instance. This means that one judge will rule on your case. Due to the greater importance, the case is handled in more detail than at the Magistrates’ Court. For example, there is more opportunity to call witnesses or hear from experts.

    More than € 250.000

    Cases with an interest of more than € 250,000 are handled by the Court of First Instance, but this time by the multi-member chamber. This means that three judges have to rule on the case. The handling of the case is further comparable to that in the single-member chamber.

    European Payment Order

    Since Greece is an EU-member, it is often unnecessary to summon your Greek debtor to the Greek court. There are various European procedures for collecting cross-border claims. For instance, you can request a European Payment Order.

    The European Payment Order is a procedure designed to collect uncontested cross-border claims within the EU. If your debtor is in another EU country and does not respond to your invoices and reminders, we can follow this procedure. We can request the order at the court in your own country by completing a few standard forms. The court will then issue the order. If your debtor does not object to the order, we can request a bailiff to enforce it without involving a Greek judge to seize assets.

    The European Order for Payment is enforceable in all EU countries except Denmark.

    European Small Claims Procedure

    In addition to the European Payment Order, there is another EU procedure for collecting outstanding claims abroad: the European Small Claims Procedure (ESCP). This procedure is intended for all claims under € 5000. Even if your debtor disputes the invoice, you can still use this procedure.

    This procedure can also be initiated at the court in your country. The process is almost entirely digital. All forms and evidence can be submitted online. If the judge deems it necessary to hold a hearing, it will be done via a video call.

    Ultimately, the court in your country will issue a judgment in your case. This judgment is enforceable in all European countries except Denmark.

    Enforcement procedures in Greece

    With an enforceable title, such as a court ruling in Greece, a European Payment Order, or a judgment from the EPGV, we can initiate enforcement of the judgment.

    To do this, we must first have the judgment or payment order officially served by a Greek bailiff to your debtor. Subsequently, your debtor has three days to comply with the court ruling. If three days have passed and your debtor still hasn’t paid, we can have the bailiff seize assets.

    The bailiff (δικαστικός κλητήρας), supervised by the Ministry of Justice in Greece, can seize income, bank accounts, and other assets of your debtor. Physical assets can be publicly auctioned by the bailiff.

    You, as the creditor, will be paid from the proceeds of the seizure. If your debtor’s income is not sufficient to settle the debt in a lump sum, the seizure will remain in place until the claim is satisfied.

    Interim measures in Greece

    When we take legal action against the debtor, it is often advisable to take interim measures. This means that a temporary preservative attachment is placed on your debtor’s belongings, as long as the court case is pending. This way, we prevent your debtor from disposing of assets before the court makes a ruling.

    For an interim attachment, we need to request a court-hearing. This request is handled urgently. After hearing the parties involved, the judge can grant the interim measures, allowing you to put an immediate attachment on certain belongings of your debtor. This attachment remains in place until the court rules. If the court then grants your claim, the attachment becomes executory. This means that you can be paid from the attachment.

    Bankruptcy application in Greece

    It is common for debtors to claim that they have no money to pay an outstanding bill, even if the court has already ruled. When your debtor has few assets, it may seem impossible to collect the debt. However, even in that situation, we still have options to recover your money. For example, we can file for the bankruptcy of your debtor.

    As a creditor, you have the right to initiate insolvency proceedings if your debtor has stopped paying their bills. Most debtors want to avoid bankruptcy at all costs. When a bankruptcy petition is filed, we often see that the defaulter suddenly has money to pay the outstanding bill. If they then pay the unpaid invoice, we can withdraw the bankruptcy application. If your debtor still does not pay, they will go bankrupt.

    In that case, a trustee is appointed to investigate the company’s assets and financial situation and try to pay out as much as possible to all creditors.

    More information?

    Do you have an outstanding claim that your Greek debtor just won't pay. Fill in your details and one of our debt collection specialists will contact you as soon as possible.

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      Legal areas of debt collection in Greece

      At Collection Company, we can assist you with a wide range of claims, from unpaid invoices and overdue salaries to damage claims or rental and purchase conflicts.

      Collection Company provides Greek debt collection services in various legal areas, including:

      1. Construction law
      2. Lease and rental
      3. Sale and purchase
      4. Labor law
      5. Agency agreement
      6. Transport
      7. Damages and unlawful acts

      We work for clients directly, but also collaborate with intermediaries such as lawyers and accountants.

      Other services in Greece

      • Assistance in drafting contracts and terms
      • Credit investigation of customers in Greece
      • Mediation in disputes with trustees, for example, regarding Retention of Title and right of recovery
      • Mediation in reaching settlements and other private arrangements

      Starting a debt collection in Greece

      Fill in the debt collection registration form and we will get started for you right away. Would you like to first consult with an expert in the field of European debt collection? Leave your details or call us at 070 – 762 0330.

      Free advice on debt collection in Greece?

      Submit your personal information and plan your free consult.

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        FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Debt Collection Greece

        Why 40.000 customers tried our services

        Meet our specialized legal team

        Daisy
        Daisy
        Very happy with the help I received. My landlord refused to refund my security deposit for no reason. The collection Company took over all communication, so that I was no longer stressed, and it cost me nothing (no cure no pay). My landlord transferred the money on the last day, so that he did not have to pay any extra collection costs. He didn't take me seriously, they did 🙂 I have been well briefed and informed in advance and in between, and recommend this agency.

        Free legal advice from your personal specialist

        Joost Konings LLM

        International debt collection specialist
        Write email

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