Debt Collection in Belgium: Pay only upon success

Professional debt collection in Belgium

Is your company struggling to recover unpaid invoices from Belgian customers? Our professional debt collection agency in Belgium is here to help you get your money back quickly and efficiently. Timely recovery of your payments is our priority. If you’re considering hiring experts for debt collection in Brussels or elsewhere in Belgium, here’s how we can support you.

We make it easy to recover your debts from Belgian customers

Oddcoll connects you with trusted, local debt collection agencies in Belgium and worldwide. Our platform simplifies international debt recovery through local expertise and a risk-free pricing model.

How it works:

Upload your unpaid Belgian claim to our platform.
Our Belgian debt collection partner begins the recovery process.
You pay only a 9.5% commission on the amount successfully collected.
No recovery = no fee.

Our trusted Belgian debt collection partner

Debt recovery in Belgium must comply with national laws and regulations. That’s why using a local Belgian debt collection agency is essential to get your debtor to pay.

Our collaboration with numerous Belgian agencies has consistently demonstrated that our partner delivers the best results, achieving one of the highest recovery rates and excellent client satisfaction.

Once you upload your invoice to Oddcoll, all Belgian recovery cases are handled by our local partner, ensuring you work with a leading debt collection agency in Belgium for both consumer and commercial debts.

About our Belgian partner

They are a specialist debt recovery agency in Belgium, handling both consumer and commercial claims across all industries.

Key facts:

Handles around 500 clients and 2,000 cases monthly.
Manages a total case value of €1.5 million.
Maintains a 90% success rate.

The agency is also a proud member of the Belgian Collectors’ Association and adheres to its strict code of conduct.

To qualify as a member, an agency must:

Be a registered company with published annual accounts.
Hold a valid company identification number.
Be listed with the Federal Public Service for Economy as an authorised debt collector.
Have at least 10 years of debt collection experience.

Judicial debt collection in Belgium

Sometimes, amicable recovery isn’t enough. When debtors in Belgium fail to pay despite reminders, legal action may be required. This section explains how judicial debt collection in Belgium operates, including which courts handle such cases, the applicable fees, and the process for issuing payment orders and enforcing them.

Which court handles debt recovery cases in Belgium?

Belgium is divided into judicial areas (divisions and districts), and each court has authority only within its own territory; this is called territorial jurisdiction.

Under Article 624 (I) of the Belgian Judicial Code, the applicant generally brings the case before the court where at least one defendant is registered (woonplaats/domicile). If the debtor is a company, the correct address is that of its registered head office (hoofdzetel/siège).

To file a case, you must register it directly at the court registry or reception office. Filing by email or fax is currently not allowed.

Choosing the correct language for court proceedings

The Act of 15 June 1935 governs the choice of language in Belgian legal proceedings. The language used depends on the region where the court is located, specifically whether it is in the Dutch-speaking region, the French-speaking region, or the German-speaking region.

In addition, Brussels is a bilingual (Dutch/French) region. The following municipalities are included: Auderghem, Anderlecht, Brussels, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Evere, Etterbeek, Ganshoren, Forest, Jette, Koekelberg, Ixelles, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Schaerbeek, Saint-Gilles, Uccle, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Watermael-Boitsfort, and Woluwe-Saint-Lambert.

In some cases, a different language can be used, or a language change can be requested before proceedings begin — but only under specific conditions.

Legal fees for debt collection in Belgian courts

Court fees apply to all judicial debt collection in Belgium.

When filing a case, the claimant must pay a €20 legal budget fund fee, set out in Section 4(2) of the Act of 19 March 2017.
As the case progresses, both parties may also have to pay additional costs such as:
- Travel and administrative fees
- Expert or investigation costs
- Bailiff charges

At the end of the process, the losing party, or if not specified, the claimant, is ordered by the judge to cover the final costs, which vary per case.

When initiating legal action, VP Consulting first assesses each case with a court bailiff. If the debtor appears insolvent, the agency recommends an amicable settlement to avoid unnecessary legal costs.

If legal action proceeds and you win in court, the client’s legal costs may be added to the total debt, depending on the court’s decision and the debtor’s financial situation.

Challenges in Belgian debt recovery

Belgian legislation differentiates between consumer (B2C) and business (B2B) debts:

B2C debts: A mandatory 15-day waiting period applies before starting legal action after a reminder has been sent.
B2B debts: No waiting period is required before taking further steps.

Using an ‘order for payment’ in Belgium

A payment order (procédure sommaire d’injonction de payer) is a simplified legal process for uncontested debt collection in Belgium. It is regulated by Articles 1338–1344 of the Judicial Code and allows creditors to recover small monetary claims efficiently.

Key facts:

Applies only to monetary claims.
Only debts up to €1,860 are eligible.
The procedure is optional.
The judge of peace (juge de paix / rechter voor vrede) can authorise the process if the case falls within their jurisdiction. It may also apply to the commercial or police court.

Before filing the case:

The creditor must send a formal payment request (sommatie de payer / betalingswaarschuwing) to the debtor.
This must be delivered by a bailiff or registered mail with receipt confirmation.
After 15 days, if payment has not been received, the case can be filed in court, accompanied by copies of all relevant documents and details of the claim.

The application must clearly include:

The amount owed and the legal basis of the claim
Any steps taken before filing
Supporting documents proving the debt (no acknowledgment of payment required)

If the debtor disputes the payment order

The debtor can contest a payment order in two ways:

Appeal to a higher court.
File an objection before the same judge who issued the order.

According to Articles 1048 and 1051, the deadline for an objection or appeal is one month from the date of publication. This may be extended if the debtor does not have a registered address (domicilie élu / geselecteerde woonplaats) in Belgium.

Normally, a bailiff must serve the objection, but Article 1343(3) allows the debtor to file it directly at the court registry. The court clerk then forwards the objection to the creditor’s lawyer, and both parties are summoned for a hearing.

Enforcing a court order in Belgium

If the debtor still refuses to comply, the creditor can request enforcement of the court order.

This requires a legally enforceable title (Article 1386 of the Judicial Code).
Enforcement is carried out by a bailiff, who may seize assets if necessary.
Out of respect for the debtor’s private life, enforcement actions cannot take place during restricted hours (Article 1387).

Do you need an expert debt collection agency in Belgium?

If you need a debt collection agency in Brussels or elsewhere in Belgium, Oddcoll connects you with experienced local professionals who can handle both amicable and judicial recovery.

Frequently asked questions about debt collection in Belgium

What are the costs for a debt collection case in Belgium?

We manage all out-of-court collections on a No Cure No Pay basis, including in Belgium. We charge 9.5% commission. Our goal is to recover the full principal amount, along with any applicable interest and costs. Should you choose to pursue legal action, we switch to an hourly or fixed fee arrangement. There are no hidden charges, and we will always consult you before taking any further steps.

What is the standard debt collection process in Belgium for businesses?

In Belgium, debt collection begins with an amicable phase where Oddcoll’s Belgian partner sends a formal notice of default (“mise en demeure”)—a legal requirement before court action. This letter details the debt, attaches unpaid invoices, and gives the debtor 7–15 days to pay. The tone is firm yet professional to maintain business relations. If no payment follows, the agency escalates with a final warning or attorney letter. Most Belgian debts (over 90%) are resolved at this stage thanks to local language communication and tactful follow-up.

Is sending a notice of default mandatory in Belgium?

Yes. Belgian law requires creditors to issue a written notice of default before suing. Oddcoll’s Belgian partner ensures this is done properly, usually via registered mail for proof of delivery. The notice specifies the amount due, due date, and payment deadline. Without this step, legal proceedings cannot begin. This structured approach, handled by Oddcoll’s local expert fluent in the debtor’s language (Dutch, French, or German), demonstrates fairness and significantly increases recovery rates.

How long does debt collection take in Belgium?

Amicable recovery typically takes a few weeks, with many debts resolved within 20 days. If legal action becomes necessary, Belgium offers a fast-track “IOS procedure” for uncontested B2B debts, which can produce an enforceable title within 1–2 months. Contested cases in the Enterprise Court can take several months. Oddcoll’s Belgian partner acts promptly and uses the most efficient route available, ensuring minimal delay while preserving your commercial relationship.

What is the IOS procedure in Belgium?

The IOS (“Invordering van onbetwiste schulden”) is a streamlined process for undisputed business debts. Oddcoll’s Belgian lawyer requests a judicial officer (bailiff) to serve a payment order on the debtor. If the debtor does not contest within 30 days, the order becomes enforceable, allowing immediate asset seizure if necessary. This avoids lengthy court cases and reduces costs. For international creditors, the IOS is a powerful tool that makes Belgian B2B debt recovery both fast and efficient through Oddcoll’s trusted local partner.

Can foreign creditors collect debts in Belgium?

Absolutely. Belgium applies EU regulations that make cross-border collection simple. Oddcoll’s Belgian partner manages everything from sending multilingual reminders to using EU procedures like the European Payment Order or European Small Claims process for debts up to €5,000. Non-EU creditors can also collect debts effectively through the national IOS or court system. Oddcoll ensures full legal compliance and smooth execution regardless of the creditor’s country of origin.

What are the legal costs of suing in Belgium?

Court fees in Belgium are relatively low; around €165–€185 in most cases. Additional costs may include the bailiff’s service and partial legal fee recovery based on a fixed scale. The losing party typically reimburses these costs. Through Oddcoll, you’ll know all expected fees upfront. Since 90–95% of Belgian B2B cases are resolved without court action, most clients recover their money quickly and cost-effectively.

Why use Oddcoll’s local Belgian agency?

Oddcoll collaborates with one elite Belgian collection agency renowned for its high success rate in amicable B2B recovery. Their team speaks the debtor’s local language (Dutch, French, or German) and understands Belgian business etiquette. With a 93–95% success rate in out-of-court collections, this partner ensures fast resolution while maintaining professionalism. Working through Oddcoll gives foreign businesses direct access to Belgium’s best local experts for seamless, compliant, and effective debt recovery.

Debt collection in Belgium

Expert debt collection in Belgium, conducted locally