1. Costs - No Win No Fee! 

Having long standing relationships with all our overseas partners we have agreements to provide these services on a NO WIN NO FEE basis charging the agreed commission rate against monies recovered only. 

2. Coverage in Belgium 

Belgium is divided into three regions; Flemish (Flanders), Walloon (Wallonia) and the capital Brussels. Our local office is in Antwerp where we can recover debts throughout the entire country. 

3. Local Experience 

Unlike many of our competitors all cases are handled by the local office or partner. The reasons for this are they speak the debtors' language, in the case of Belgium it has 3 official languages; Dutch, French and German. We understand the local cultures and know all the legal processes. These are reasons why Creditreform are the ideal people to help you in collecting debts from overseas. 

4. Statute of Limitation in Belgium 

10 years but there are many special exemptions so whatever the age please contact us and we will advise if we can assist with your claim 
Search a country below for debt collection: 

How to Instruct Us 

We simply require the following details: 
Full name & address of the debtor 
All available contact details of the debtor i.e. contact name(s) / Tel / Mobile / Email(s) 
Amount owed (Invoice(s) or Statement will help) 
PLEASE CALL US ON +44 121 442 5330 FOR FURTHER DETAILS 
Or ask us to call you – just leave us your details: 

Case Study - EUR 3,000 recovered from Belgium Debtor 

Initiation of Case 
 
A leading USA IT group located in New Jersey specialising in memory and storage solutions has outsourced it’s European overdue accounts to Creditreform as we have an extremely strong presence here with expert offices and partners across Europe. 
 
A typical case was for a debt of EUR 3,000 against a Belgium client in Brussels who refused to settle their account with the client. 
 
Debt Collection Processes 
 
Once instructed our expert debt collector sent an initial collection letter to the debtor the same day stating the amount owed and a deadline to pay. Upon receipt of this letter the debtor paid immediately the same day. 
 
Summary 
 
Naturally the client is more than happy with our services and treats us as part of their accounts receivable team for all their overdue accounts throughout Europe. 

Belgium Debt Collection – No Win No Fee 

Creditreform operates a global specialist International debt collections service. We have local offices and fully approved expert international debt collection agency partners in every country worldwide. All our International debt collection agency partners and offices operate on a No Win No Fee basis charging an agreed commission against monies recovered only. 
 
Main reasons why a local country debt recovery agency is so important rather than trying to recover from a debt collection agency UK are as follows: 
 
The local International Debt collection Partners know: 
 
The local cultures 
The languages 
The laws 
Are in the same time zones 
 
Herewith details of our debt collection service Belgium: 

Location of debt recovery office in Belgium? 

Antwerp. All debt collection letters are sent by the local head office. 

Number of debt collection staff? 

5. Each staff member is allocated a client and all their debt collection letters are personalised in order to effect the best response from debtors. 

How long have you been operating a debt recovery service in Belgium? 

We have been operating a European debt collection service on a no win no fee basis in Belgium since 1988. Belgium is included on our debt collection agency list

What type of debt collection services do you provide? Do you do commercial debt recovery (B2B) and consumer debt recovery (B2C)? 

We handle both Business to Business debt recovery cases and Business to Consumer debt collections cases. There is different content for business to business debt collection letter templates and business to consumer debt collection letters templates

Statue of Limitation in Belgium? 

The Statute of Limitation in Belgium is 10 years. 
 
Belgium civil litigation statute of limitations is a law that time limits a plaintiff’s right to bring a claim against a defendant. The statute of limitations in Belgium is 6 years. However, if an action has been taken within this time then the statute of limitations time will be extended to account for this. Once the specified time period elapses then no action can be taken through the legal processes unless the plaintiff is able to prove exceptional circumstances. Other Statute of Limitations include: 
 
Belgium Open Account Years – 10 years 
Belgium Promissory Notes – 10 years 
Belgium Written Contracts – Varies by Industry 
Belgium Oral Agreements – 10 years 

How EU (European Union) laws effect debt collection in Belgium? 

Although there are many European legislations, we can work with our national laws. 
 
Belgium has been a European Union (EU) member country since 1958, Euro area member since 1999 and Schengen area member since 1995. 

How many companies registries in Belgium for businesses (i.e. UK has just 1 central registry)? 

There is 1 company registry in Belgium which is called Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE). 
 
We have access to Belgium Company Registry searches to find out who further background information on all Belgium companies. 

What is the debt collection process in Belgium? 

We first send a debt recovery letter/mail. In B2C we send also a registered letter. After 10 days we send a second debt collection letter, a warning that the file will be transferred to the lawyer. Then we try a phone conversation. Our in-house lawyer send a last debt recovery letter, again after 10 days. We try to settle/close in 1 month. 

Average length of time to collect a debt? 

The average time taken to recover a Belgium B2B debt collection case varies from case to case but typically 1 month in Belgium. 

Can late payment fees / interest to be added to claims? 

We can add interests, a penalty clause and a file cost (maximum 40€). 

Details on legal service / process in Belgium? 

Our lawyers work under the same conditions. The costs for the bailiff have to be paid in advance. They are added to the claim and have to be settled by the debtor. 
 
We have an own software-system that allows us to cover big quantities of files. They are processed the same day. Our clients receive also a login so they can check the status of their files whenever they want. They are always updated on the same day. 

Belgium Business Credit Reports 

Creditreform provides over 88 million international business credit reports throughout Europe and 200 million international business credit reports worldwide. Total businesses registered (number) in Belgium is reported to be in excess of 1.75 million. Through our online databases you can download Belgium Company Searches instantly. This can be done prior to trading to make sure the company you will be dealing with can meet the commitment or once the debt becomes overdue to ensure the debtor can meet the amount owed. 

Belgium Skip Tracing Agents 

Creditreform’s debt collection company service also uses expert local Belgium tracing agent services to locate any absconded debtor. This debtor tracing service is provided on a No Find No Fee basis only charging for a successful trace. 

Specialist Debt Recovery Experts 

There are many unique requirements to recovering international debts in all countries including Belgium debt collection services which differ from the UK and therefore it is very important that cases are handled directly by our expert international debt collection agencies and not from debt collections UK. This method of international debt collection sets Creditreform aside from the competition who in many cases try and recover debts from a UK debt collector only. Using the local offices and partners enables us to achieve a far greater success rate and our No Win No Fee service together with competitive commission rates against monies recovered only ensures you get the best service. 

European Payment Order in Belgium 

Belgium has a summary order for payment procedure (procédure sommaire d’injonction de payer/summiere rechtspleging om betaling te bevelen). This nprocedure is used for small claims in specific cases. It is explained in Sections 1338 to 1344 of the Judicial Code (Code judiciaire/Gerechtelijk Wetboek). 
 
There is an upper limit and article 1338 of the Judicial Code states that only claims for the payment of a liquidated debt of no more than €1 860 are eligible. 
The debtor can contest the claim and the time limit to do this is one month from the date on which the judgment is served (see Articles 1048 and 1051 of the Judicial Code). 
 
This time limit is extended if one of the parties does not have their address or residence or an address for service (domicile élu/gekozen woonplaats) in Belgium. 

What language should the application be made in Belgium? 

The language is determined by where the court is located. Pursuant to Section 42 of the Act, there are three main languages used in Belgium being French, German and Dutch. 

What Courts are used in Belgium? 

There are three main courts: 
 
1. Supreme court 
Court of Cassation (Cour de cassation/Hof van Cassatie): this is the supreme court – the ‘court of courts’ – which sits in Brussels. 
 
2. Court of assizes 
There is a court of assizes (cour d’assises/hof van assisen) for each of the 10 provinces and for the Brussels administrative district. It is not a permanent court but is convened whenever accused persons are sent before it. 
 
3. Appeal courts 
Court of appeal (cour d’appel/hof van beroep). 
 
There are five courts of appeal in Belgium: 
Brussels (for the judicial districts of Walloon Brabant, Leuven and Brussels), 
Liège (for the judicial districts of Liège, Eupen, Namur and Luxembourg), 
Mons (for the judicial district of Hainaut), 
Ghent (for the judicial districts of West Flanders and East Flanders), 
Antwerp (for the judicial districts of Antwerp and Limburg). 

Mediation (Alternative Dispute Resolution - ADR) in Belgium 

As claims and disputes brought to the courts are ever increasing, there are longer waiting periods to reach a resolution. Also legal costs have increased and can become disproportionate to the value of the claim. 
 
Mediation services in Belgium are controlled by The Federal Mediation Commission. Although it does not conduct any mediation itself, the Federal Commission regulates the profession and keeps an updated list of accredited mediators. The Commission secretariat provides information in French and Dutch language 
 
Although the Federal Mediation Commission has regulated mediator training it is provided by the private sector. 
 
Mediation is NOT free and the fees are agreed between the mediator and parties involved. 
 
According to European Directive 2008/52/EC, it is possible to request that a written agreement resulting from mediation be enforced. The Member States indicate which courts or other authorities are competent to receive such requests. Belgium has not yet provided this information. 
 
However, in conformity with Articles 1733 and 1736 of the Judicial Code, it is possible to have the mediation agreement approved by a judge, which makes such an agreement authentic and enforceable. In terms of form, the agreement then becomes a judgement. 

Can Statutory Interest Rate be added in Belgium? 

Statutory interest in civil cases (between individuals or between an individual and a trader) is calculated by adding 2 % to the 12- month EURIBOR rate (Euro Interbank Offered Rate). 
 
Commercial transactions (i.e. transactions between traders and/or undertakings) are governed by the Law of 2 August 2002 on combating late payments in commercial transactions (Wet van 2/08/2002 betreffende de bestrijding van de betalingsachterstand bij handelstransacties). That interest rate is applied unless the parties to the transaction have agreed otherwise (contractual interest). 
 
The six-monthly adjustment of the interest rate for commercial transactions is announced in the Belgian Official Gazette (Belgisch staatsblad - Moniteur belge) 

Belgium Debt Collection Partners in the following Belgian Cities: 

Which countries border Belgium? 

Belgium is bordered by Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, and France to the south. 

Who are the main trading partners for Belgium? 

The main export and import markets for Belgium are Germany, France, Netherlands and UK

What is the legal system in Belgium? 

The Belgium legal system is based on The Napoleonic Code is still in use, although it is heavily modified (especially concerning family law). 

What is the name of the Government Gazette in Belgium? 

The Gazette in Belgium is called the Belgisch Staatsblad / Moniteur belge / Belgisches Staatsblatt / Belgian Official Journal. 

What is the Supreme Court in Belgium? 

The Supreme Court in Belgium is called the Constitutional Court, Court of Cassation, 

Belgium Debt Collection Agency FAQs 

1. How does a Debt collection agency in Belgium recover overdue debts? 

The debt collection process is initiated by an introductory letter to your debtor stating the amount owed to you and informing them of our involvement. Letters are then followed up with emails and telephone calls. From our experience the most effective part of this process will be the outsourcing to a third party debt collection agency in Belgium as the debtor now has to resolve the debt and can no longer hide or provide lame excuses. 

2. How long does the debt recovery agency in Belgium take to process a case? 

The debt collection case will be processed immediately up receipt and a letter sent normally by email and post. You will receive an automated confirmation by return. 

3. What is the success rate for debt collection agencies in Belgium? 

The success rate of the debt recovery case depends on a number of factors including the solvency of the debtor and whether the case has a legitimate dispute. Our aim is to recover every debt that is recoverable. 

4. Does the debt recovery agency in Belgium operate a No Win No Fee debt collection? 

We take on all debt collection cases on No Win No Fee basis only charging the agreed commission against monies recovered. 

5. Why use a local debt recovery agency in Belgium? 

The reasons for using a local Belgium debt collection agency than processing from a different country is the debt collector in Belgium speaks the local language, knows the local laws and operates in the same time zones. 

6. Are there any debts too old or too small for Belgium debt collection? 

We will assess all debt cases, irrelevant of age and size and then advise the best processes to recover these through the Belgium debt collector. 

7. How do I instruct the debt collectors in Belgium? 

Instructing the debt collectors Belgium is a simple process. You just email details of the debt, debtor and amount to be recovered and the case can be initiated. 

8. What evidence do I need to provide when instructing the Belgium debt collector? 

When instructing the debt collector in Belgium just provide copies of invoices/statements, debtor contact details and any relevant information you may have to assist with the recovery process. 

9. Who does the debtor pay? 

In general the debt collector in Belgium will request payments to be sent directly to the client but if not possible for any reasons will take payment directly. If payment is taken then cleared funds will be processed and sent to client straight away. 

10. Can I instruct multiple cases? 

You can send unlimited debt case instructions. Our systems will automate volume cases to meet your requirements. 

11. Can you trace debtors in Belgium? 

Through our network of skip tracing agents we have an extremely high success rate of locating your absconded debtor. 

12. How long does the debt collection process take? 

On average the debt collections process takes 90 days to resolve an amicable debt recovery case. There are a number of factors that can delay this process but we will keep you informed every step of the way. 

13. What are my options if debt collection in Belgium is not successful? 

If the debt recovery service is not successful we will advise you of your options including legal actions. Please note no legal actions or other processes will be taken without prior instruction from you. 
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