How to choose a debt collection agency in Amsterdam
Start by working out which kind of help the debt actually needs. An incassobureau handles out-of-court collection: sending formal notices and negotiating payment, but it cannot seize assets or garnish wages on its own authority.
Several listings in this directory are gerechtsdeurwaarders (court bailiffs) rather than plain collection agencies. If a case has already gone to court, or is likely to, that distinction determines who can actually enforce a judgment through wage garnishment (loonbeslag) or asset seizure - worth reading more on in our guide to debt collection agencies for Amsterdam businesses.
Before signing up, ask any agency how it calculates collection costs and whether it follows the statutory scale set out in the Besluit vergoeding voor buitengerechtelijke incassokosten, and how it handles debtor data under the AVG (Dutch GDPR). A business chasing debts tied to a contract may also need a notary to certify the underlying documents, which our guide to Amsterdam notaries covers.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between an incassobureau and a gerechtsdeurwaarder?
An incassobureau pursues payment out of court, through notices and negotiation. A gerechtsdeurwaarder is a court bailiff empowered to enforce a judgment once a court has ruled, including garnishing wages, seizing goods, or freezing bank accounts.
Can a debt collector add extra costs on top of what I owe?
Yes, but only within limits. Collection costs (incassokosten) are capped by the statutory scale in the Besluit vergoeding voor buitengerechtelijke incassokosten, and statutory interest (wettelijke rente) can also be added on unpaid amounts; ask any agency you are dealing with to show how a specific figure was calculated.
What should a first collection letter contain?
Dutch law requires a formal written notice, the aanmaning or sommatie, before collection costs are added to a claim. It must state the amount owed, the basis of the claim, and give at least 14 days to pay or respond.
Can I dispute a debt a collection agency is chasing me for?
Yes. A debtor can dispute a claim in writing (betwisten), and the creditor must then provide proof of the debt before continuing collection.
What if I cannot pay the full amount at once?
A debtor can propose a repayment plan (betalingsregeling) based on actual income and expenses, backed by documents such as salary slips or bank statements. If the proposal is rejected, municipal debt counselling (gemeentelijke schuldhulpverlening) is available as a next step.
Are debt collectors allowed to contact me at any time or tell others about my debt?
No. The Nederlandse Vereniging van gecertificeerde Incasso-ondernemingen (NVI) code of conduct bars threats, intimidation, and contact at unreasonable hours, and collectors must comply with the AVG, which prevents disclosing a debt to third parties without consent.