Find the best debt collection agency in Frankfurt
Submit your claim to Frankfurt now and you'll receive 3 free quotes from debt collection agencies.
.svg)
Getting started is as easy as 1,2,3...
.svg)
Our local partners
Explore debt collection experts in Frankfurt for any budget
How to collect an unpaid invoice from a debtor in Frankfurt?
If you are seeking help reclaiming a debt in Frankfurt, Germany, read on. This guide has all of the information you require. If you'd like to be connected with a debt collection agency or lawyer in the area, complete our questionnaire and receive 3 free offers in 2 days.
Overview of the debt collection process in Frankfurt
In Frankfurt, the debt collection process follows multiple steps. Prior to commencing a case, we evaluate the situation in-depth, assessing the claim amount, type of debtor and related factors to personalize our debt collection services according to your requirements. This method of individualized strategy helps us achieve the most efficient recovery rates.
The image below explains our standard framework for collecting debt in Frankfurt:
Step 1: Find a local collection agency or attorney
You can use Debitura to post your case, and you will get 3 bids from Frankfurt-based debt collection companies who are prepared to help.
Step 2: Pre-legal collections
We will initiate contact with the debtor to try to resolve the debt peacefully, using emails, messages, letters and other possible forms of communication in Frankfurt. If the debtor agrees to pay, then our recovery charges are only payable once we get the money back to you. If not, then you're not charged a cent.
Step 3: Evaluation:
If you have not been given remuneration from your creditor despite taking preliminary legal action, it is time to investigate the further strategies. We will analyze the magnitude of your claim, the likelihood of payment, and the jurisdictional rules in Frankfurt in order to direct you in selecting the most judicious choice to make next. Three common possibilities exist in Germany:
Step A: Surveillance:
If the amount you are owed is less than 5000$, it is usually not worthwhile to pursue further court proceedings. Therefore, we advise debt monitoring, where we continue to contact the debtor to attempt to reach an agreeable resolution. This is essentially an ongoing phase before officially initiating a lawsuit. We will alert you immediately if any circumstances have shifted requiring a different course of action.
Step B: Legal collections:
If the claim being pursued is relatively large, it might be worth engaging in a legal process after the pre-legal stage has been completed. Generally, this kind of legal proceeding is more applicable when the claim is above five thousand dollars. Depending on the debtor's financial status and other factors, this amount might be higher or lower. Moreover, the process for legal collections can differ depending on the details of the individual case and whether the debtor has made a formal dispute or merely disregarded the pre-legal measures.
For lower value claims, the legal procedure employed is usually simpler. On average, legal collection proceedings take one to one and a half years to complete and may require a fee to cover any associated legals costs. There is a wide variation when it comes to finding the right debt collection lawyer in Frankfurt so it is best to get quotes from multiple sources in order to find the most suitable service provider.
Step C: Debt enforcement:
If you have either the debtor's acknowledgement of your claim or you possess a court order, you are able to employ the services of a bailiff court to carry out your demand. This completes in an interval of 12 to 18 months on average in the Frankfurt area. It should be noted that you must pay a pre-defined tax to the courts and pay the fee of your debt collection lawyer. The costs are reliant on the amount of your claim, if you require an appropriate quotation, simply attach your claim to Debitura.
Pre-legal debt collection in Frankfurt
Pre-legal debt collection is the initial step taken to recover an unpaid debt, before getting the courts involved. This step is also known as amicable collection, and is recommended as a first approach if the debtor does not contest the debt. Pre-legal collection has a number of advantages, such as positively preserving the relationship with the debtor, being faster than legal collections, and being a low-risk procedure, usually with a success fee if the debt is recovered.
When a debt remains unpaid, companies can either conduct the collection process internally or enlist the help of a third-party. We call this first-party or third-party debt collection respectively. Dealing with unpaid debts in-house can be tackled through negotiations, letters and phone calls. Alternatively, third-party debt collection can be outsourced to a specialized agency that has experience in the matter. Normally, third-party debt collection offers better results as it is able to effectively utilize all available resources and proven techniques.
Using all available communication channels, such as email, text, and phone, to reach the debtor
Where possible, create a payment plan or settlement that is agreeable for both parties
Encouraging the debtor to stay in contact with the collection agency to keep them actively engaged in the process
You can charge interest and add late payment fees depending on the age and size of the claim, so that you can receive the owed amount as quickly as possible.
At Debitura we have optimized our procedure so that it is compliant with the relevant laws and regulations.
We also make sure that these interest rates won’t lead to legal issues and remain fair in order to ensure the collection process goes smoothly.
Through our expertise, we are able to maximize the return on your unpaid invoices, no matter their size or age, while respecting the legal regulaions and keeping our fees compliant with the relevant laws.
Legal debt collection in Frankfurt
The process involves working with an attorney, submitting your claim to court, and pursuing legal means to collect the debt - all of which requires patience and effort. This doesn't mean you should ignore the debt; instead, it may be wise to switch to legal collection once it becomes clear the debt will not be resolved amicably. If any of the communication sent by lawyers engage with the debtor, they are more likely to take payment seriously, and you will have to pay legal fees. However, the good news is that you can sometimes reclaim some of these costs from the debtor. Legal debt collection MAY be the right choice when the debtor is disputing the claim and it is too large for amicable proceedings. If you decide to pursue legal proceedings, make sure to consult an attorney who specializes in debt collection and get the best, most cost-competitive service.
Debitura makes it easy to get help with legal debt collection. We provide 3 free quotes from local debt collection attorneys in Frankfurt, letting you easily compare the cost and terms involved. This way, you can choose the best option for your needs without the hassle of searching for an attorney yourself. With Debitura, you can quickly get the legal help you need.
When it comes to legal debt collection, a local partner initially contacts the debtor with an aim to negotiate a payment plan. If unsuccessful, legal steps are taken, which vary in nature and duration depending on the claim size and are always subject to the civil Law in Germany. These actions may entail litigation, debt enforcement, mediation or bankruptcy proceedings and can take up to 12-18 months to complete.
Cost of debt collection in Frankfurt
Average success fee for pre-legal debt collection in Frankfurt
In Frankfurt, it is common that when engaging in pre-legal debt collection, the cost that the debt collector will be due to the client is determined by the size of the claim and debt collection phase. When the debt is recovered successfully, a success fee is paid to the collector. This fee is also based on the size of the claim acted upon. Typically, the success fee for amicable collection ranges from a certain percentage of the total value of the claim.
Hourly rate for legal-debt collection services in Frankfurt
When one needs to pursue a legal debt collection in Frankfurt, they will have to a consider two possible fees. The first involves court costs, which vary according to the size of the claim. The second payment will be associated with attorney fees, which are based on the hourly rate, and the amount of hours needed to resolve the case. Generally, the more complex the claim is, the more it will cost in terms of hours. The below table displays the average cost for legal counsel per hour in Frankfurt.
Frankfurt city risk profile
We have evaluated Frankfurt's critical financial data and extrapolated a risk assessment. You can use this analysis to evaluate your payment terms and manage your risk when trading with customers in Frankfurt.
Our analysis concludes that the risk of doing business in Frankfurt is low.
Based on this low score, You can feel reasonably confident that you will be able to get paid when trading with customers in Frankfurt. Nonetheless, we always recommend doing a specific credit analysis on an individual customer basis before offering any credit.
The low risk score is based on the following factors:
.png)
.png)
.png)
Economic risk in Frankfurt
Germany has an economic risk score of 1 out of 6, which is low. With a Gross Domestic Product of 4223.12 billion USD (2021) and a GDP growth rate of 2.89%, it is ranked 5th out of 183 countries for size and 131st for growth. The GDP per capita (U.S. dollars) is 50801.79 and it has a high purchasing power parity, ranking 19th out of 183 countries. The inflation rate in 2021 was 3.1%, also low. These findings indicate that Germany is a relatively safe and prosperous country.
Business risk in Frankfurt
Frankfurt is an attractive destination for business and investment due to its low business environment risk. According to analysis, this risk is scored at 1 out of 6, making Frankfurt one of the lowest risk cities in Europe. Property rights are strong at 79, with the business freedom index being 82, indicating a relatively simple process to launch and run companies in the city. Furthermore, Frankfurt’s market openness, ruled of law and regulatory efficiency contribute to an overall economic freedom index of 73. With such indices, businesses are encouraged to take advantage of Frankfurt’s low business risk environment.
Political risk in Frankfurt
Frankfurt, known as the hub of the European economy, has recently been declared of the least politically risky cities in Europe. With a score of 1/6, the city has benefitted from a high rule of law index and control of corruption, as well as an average political stability index. Additionally, the shadow economy (comprising crime, corruption and tax evasion) makes up 7.7% of Frankfurt's GDP only. This, altogether makes the city an attractive and profitable destination for foreign investments and business ventures. Overall, individuals and businesses are safe to enter the city and operate with confidence.
Commercial risk in Frankfurt
Frankfurt, Germany's largest financial center, boasts an impressive commercial risk score of 3/4. This score, which puts Germany in a medium risk bracket according to our model, is right in line with Europe's average. Germany's foreign exchange reserves run high with a total of 295.74 bn USD. It also has an impressive trade balance of 5.53% of the GDP with its exports of goods and services growing 9.93% annually and representing 47.46% of its GDP. Imports into the city account for 41.93% of the GDP. These positive features make for a favorable commercial risk score for Frankfurt, enhancing the city's economic strength.
Financial risk in Frankfurt
Frankfurt, one of Germany's largest cities, has a low financial risk. According to our analysis, the overall risk score is 1/4. The city's banking system is efficient and stable, indicated by the 8 rating on a scale from 0 (low) to 8 (high) for the credit information sharing index. Its legal rights for creditors and borrows are 6 out of 12, a score that is considered weak. Despite this, Frankfurt is still considered low risk overall and can be a good place to navigate the financial space with caution. Furthermore, with the high accessibility and quality of credit information available, one can easily understand their counterpart's credit risk to make informed decisions.
Looking for more detailed information? Then have a look at our country guide.
Read full country guide.png)
.svg)