How much can a debt collector charge a consumer in Estonia?
Less than most debtors think — the statute sets a ceiling. While the contract is in force, a creditor may claim from a consumer up to €5 for a single reminder letter per obligation that has fallen due. After the contract ends, collection costs are capped in total at €30 (claim up to €500), €40 (over €500 and up to €1,000) or €50 (over €1,000). And these are ceilings, not automatic sums: in a dispute, the trader must prove its actual costs in court — and where those are lower, the compensation is lower too.
📋 The rules
- Reminder letter: up to €5
- Claim up to €500: up to €30
- €500–1,000: up to €40
- Over €1,000: up to €50
- The trader must prove its costs
🔓 Exceptions
- Exceptionally, costs above the cap may be claimed, but must be justified and proven
- The cap applies separately per co-debtor and per provider of security
- All out-of-court collection costs count, whatever they are called
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The label does not change the thing: a “procedure fee” is still a collection cost. The statute treats as collection costs all costs of out-of-court collection — register queries, correspondence, the collection agency's fee — even where they are given another name, such as a procedure, damages or reminder fee. So an invoice showing €90 of “procedure costs” beside the debt is not lawful merely because it is called something else. The second thing worth knowing: an entry can be made in the payment default register where payment is more than 45 days overdue, the sum with interest exceeds €30, and the claim has not been disputed. Disputing it is free, and it counts.
📎 Official sources
- Riigi Teataja · Law of Obligations Act § 113² →
- Jurist Aitab · Interest and collection costs →
- Consumer Protection Authority →
❓ Frequently asked
How much can a collector claim?
After the contract ends, up to 30 euros in total on a claim up to 500 euros, up to 40 euros on a claim of 500 to 1,000 euros, and up to 50 euros on a claim above 1,000 euros.
What does a reminder letter cost?
While the contract is in force the creditor may claim up to 5 euros for a single reminder letter per obligation that has fallen due. More letters do not mean more fees.
Can the cap be renamed away?
It cannot. All out-of-court collection costs count, even where they are labelled as procedure, damages or other fees. The name does not change the ceiling.
Must the trader prove its costs?
It must. The cap is a ceiling rather than an automatic sum. In a dispute the trader must prove its actual costs in court, and lower costs mean lower compensation.
When does a debt reach the default register?
When payment is more than 45 days overdue, the sum with interest exceeds 30 euros, and the claim has not been disputed. Disputing the claim is free and prevents the entry.
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