📨 Do I have to pay debt-collection fees?

With conditions

Quick answer

Only a justified claim — and only reasonable costs. If you haven't paid a due invoice and are in default (usually after a reminder or 30 days from the invoice with notice), the creditor may engage a debt-collection agency. Then you must pay the main claim, default interest and reasonable collection costs. The collection costs are statutorily capped (based on lawyers'/fee law, RDGEG) and must be clearly itemised. If the claim is unjustified, time-barred or excessive, you needn't pay it — then object in writing and demand proof.

📋 The rules

Duty to pay only for a justified claim and default
You owe the main claim, default interest and reasonable collection costs
Collection costs are statutorily capped and must be itemised
Unjustified/time-barred/excessive claims you needn't pay
Claims usually lapse after 3 years (at year's end)

🔓 Exceptions

First reminder costs are reimbursable only to a limited extent (no fantasy prices)
A court order for payment must be taken seriously — mind the objection deadline (2 weeks)
With identity theft/subscription traps: dispute the claim and secure evidence/report it

⚠️ Penalties & fines

If you don't pay a justified claim despite default, the costs rise (interest, collection, possibly court), and a SCHUFA entry can loom. If you don't respond to a court order for payment in time, an enforcement order follows — then garnishment is possible. For unjustified claims: don't ignore them, but object in time and in writing and demand proof.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-06-20

❓ Frequently asked

Do I always have to pay collection costs?

Only for a justified claim and if you're in default. Then you owe the main claim, default interest and reasonable, statutorily capped collection costs. Unjustified or excessive claims you needn't pay.

How high may collection fees be?

They're statutorily limited and based on fee/lawyer law (RDGEG). The costs must be clearly itemised. Flat 'fantasy prices' or double fees you needn't accept — demand an itemisation.

What do I do about an unjustified claim?

Don't ignore it; object in time and in writing and demand proof of the claim. Secure evidence. With a subscription trap or identity misuse, dispute the claim and report it if needed.

What happens with a court order for payment?

A court order for payment is serious: you have two weeks to object. If you don't, an enforcement order follows and garnishment is possible. So be sure to respond in time.

When do claims lapse?

Usually after three years, counted from the end of the year in which the claim arose. You needn't pay a time-barred claim — you can raise the limitation defence. But a court order for payment can suspend the limitation.

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