Court order-for-payment procedure (Mahnverfahren)

In practice

The court order-for-payment procedure is the right route when the debtor simply does not pay but does not dispute the claim either. The application is prepared online, and the court checks only the formal requirements. The court fee is half a standard fee based on the amount in dispute, with a minimum of EUR 38. If there is no objection, the creditor must apply for the enforcement order within six months of service of the court order for payment. Otherwise the court order for payment ceases to have effect. If the debtor disputes the claim, however, the detour only costs time. Bringing a claim is then the better route.