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 Iceland 

Iceland is divided into 72 municipalities with Reykjavík the largest by population as well as the capital city. Our local office is in Reykjavík so we are centrally located to recover debts throughout all of Iceland. 

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 this case Icelandic is spoken by 93% of the population. 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 Iceland 

4 years but there are 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: 

Iceland 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 best methods of initiating debt recovery letters and processes 
The languages 
The laws 
Are in the same time zones 
 
Herewith details of our debt collection service Iceland: 

Location of debt recovery office in Iceland? 

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

Number of debt collection staff? 

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

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

We have been operating a European debt collection service on a no win no fee basis in Iceland since 1957. Iceland 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 Iceland? 

The general rule is 4 years (commercial invoices etc.), however debt originating from a bank loan is 10 years and judgments 10 years, damages 8 years. 
 
Iceland 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 Iceland is 4 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: 
 
Iceland Open Account Years – 4 years 
Iceland Promissory Notes – 10 years 
Iceland Written Contracts – 4 years 
Iceland Oral Agreements – 4 years 

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

As members of the EEA we have to apply to most of it, we have implemented all the GDPR rules, but we do not have the European Payment order etc. but we are of course a part of the Lugano Convention from 2007 regarding the enforcement of judgment as between Iceland, Switzerland and Norway and all pre-2004 EU states plus Poland. 2007 Lugano Convention was ratified in February 2011 in Iceland and implements regulation EU 44/2001. The condition stipulated in reg. 44/2000 must be fulfilled. The EU judgment must be enforceable in the country of origin. An original of the judgment or a certified copy, with the Lugano certificate; an inscription from the relevant court in the country of origin/the relevant domestic Court where certified that the judgment is enforceable in the country of origin. 
 
A notification to pay a debt that and a notification of serving must be served to debtor according to same formalities that apply to serving a subpoena. Then it is possible to apply to the District Court for a confirmation that the judgment can be executed in Iceland. The District Court needs a certified copy of the judgment, with the inscription that it is enforceable in the home state, together with a proof that a notification to pay the debt has been served to debtor accordingly. 
 
Iceland signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) in 1992 and this has been enforced since 1994. Iceland is also part of The European Economic Area (EEA) which is an international agreement which enables the extension of the EU’s single market to the 3 member states of - Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

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

1 Official business registry ,"Fyrirtækjaskrá ríkisskattstjóra” 
 
There is 1 company registry in Iceland which is called Directorate of Internal Revenue – Company Directory located at Laugavegur 166, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland. 
 
We have access to Iceland Company Registry searches to find out who further background information on all Iceland companies. 
 
General comments regarding process in Iceland for debt collection and how differs from UK / other countries in Europe: 
 
Perhaps not the process but the mentality. As it is considered costly to initiate legal proceedings here in Iceland, many are reluctant due to the cost risk. Debtors in Iceland are often very well informed and aware of that fact. As many creditors do not take the risk to initiate legal proceedings, debtors often simply “wait and see” if they can get away with it, but on the other hand pay immediately after a summon has been served (at their doorstep) when they can see that the creditor will not give up. An important factor (to our benefit) is that in the recent years credit score became of value here in Iceland for individuals. As a result debtors that have,, something to loose” pay when they have the threat of being registered on the official default registry. We have the permission to have debts/claims listed there as we are a law firm. 

What is the debt collection process in Iceland? 

We are flexible with our service and we can bring tailored approach to each of our clients and partners to offer them exactly the service they need and require. When we register a creditor in our system for the first time, we also define in the beginning the workflow procedure at the same time for that creditor or we set up various collection schemes depending on the nature of the claim. As a result, we can tailor make the workflow for each of our clients and/or each of their claim types. Then it is defined in the system – what should be done each day – in each claim towards a debtor with the creditor in question – and it automatically sets the task that should be carried out each day. As a result: your client can simply decide for himself what work flow he prefers as a general rule in his files (how many letters are sent out – the days between (except for the days between the first and second one that is prescribed by law) when phone call attempts are made and his wishes for the monitoring procedure (the time frames that is). 
Amicable debt collection process - an example of the debt collection workflow in B2C pre legal phase: 
 
Day 0 File received from client via e-mail/platform 
Day 1-2 Dunning letter sent to debtor: First debt collection warning letter send to debtor 
(“Innheimtuviðvörun). Payment term 10 days 
Steps taken before being able to send the first letter – but within 48 hours of receiving a file: 
 
• Debtor´s validation: Validation of the Icelandic social security number for debtor that is essential to be able to register claims. The name of debtor and most of the time DOB is essential to be able to find the correct one. 
 
• The claim/file is registered to our system and we confirm the receipt of the file to the customer with our ref. number. Informing client if further information or documents is required (but we try to send the first letter with what we have in order to start as soon as possible). 
 
• The address search is automated within the system once registered. For e-mails there is no information provider in Iceland – it is not information that is open to the public (or anybody if not provided in the phone listing). For phone numbers we look in the public phone listing. 
 
Day 11-14 Second letter send to debtor – a reminder - ,"Áminning” with the warning that no payment could lead to further cost. (followed up by a phone call attempt when phone number is listed plus the letter is sent in an e-mail when provided). (no payment plan only full payment). If we are contacted by debtor that offers – asks for installment plan we write down the possible terms to be accepted or get the creditors acceptance or counteroffer. 
 
Day 12/15 Phone call attempt and e-mail reminder to follow up second collection letter 
 
Day 24 Third debt collection warning letter sent to debtor – (optional) could also be the "final warning”: Warning that no reaction could lead to the file being transferred to legal department and that debtor can expect to be listed in the default claim registry 
that effects his credit score. (I am aware that your client never will go legal though but this text usually is what is needed to urge the debtor to take action here in Iceland). 
 
Day 24/25: Phone call attempt and e-mail reminder 
The number of the reminders can vary upon the client´s/creditor´s wishes. Normally we send the mandatory debt collection warning, 1-2 reminders and then the final warning (Plus notifications via e-mail/overview and payment instructions plus phone call attempts). 
 
Day 35 (optional): Instructions are sent to Lánstraust – Creditinfo Iceland to register the debt and debtor in the default register list. Debtor receives a written notification from Creditinfo thereof. 
 
Day 40-45 Status report is sent to creditor (if not sent at earlier stages) 
Creditor then asks us to close the file or transfer it to surveillance (debtor monitoring) 
Debt monitoring/surveillance: The workflow – the days and schedule is most of the time tailor made for each client. As an example: 
 
• We register the debtor for the surveillance - that is automated in our debt collection computer system. We receive update in an e-mail if something changes with debtor´s financial status (credit score/bankruptcy proceedings etc). Also, the client can choose how long time passes until we check on debtor from the monitoring starts (start sending a reminder/calling him etc.) Normally clients ask us to put files in monitoring for 6 months to start with: In 6 months we thus: Check on debtor´s financial status, get his credit report and do another asset search/location, plus address search to see if there have been any changes. Also, we make another phone call. 
 
• In 90 to 120 days (upon the clients wish): We report to creditor and next step is decided (to start collection procedure again – settlement agreement if we are contacted by debtor) – monitor debtor for 90 more days, etc. 
 
• First debt collection warning letter sent to the debtor 
According to the Icelandic Act on Debt Collection (Innheimtulög), the first collection warning letter must include a minimum 10-day payment deadline which begins to count from the date of the letter. 
 
• The second collection warning letter (third and fourth depending on the plan) 
The second collection warning letter includes 10-day payment deadline for the debtor, but the collection cost is higher rather than in the first collection warning letter. 
 
The final debt collection warning letter is normally the last letter which is sent to the debtor before the legal actions begin. This letter includes 10-day payment deadline for the debtor and a special announcement to the debtor that he will be registered on the default register which can have a negative effect on his credit rating. 
 
• The importance of the Defaulting Debtors Database register (DDD) 
The DDD register contains information on defaults on individuals and collection actions. For debtor being on the defaulting register affects his credit rating. Both banks and other financial institutes plus possible business providers often assess new applicants/clients by investigating if the person is on listed in the default register. Thus, it is of great value to avoid that listing and receiving a notification of a possible listing makes debtors usually contact us after receiving one. 
 
• Debt collection phone calls 
Our staff has special training to make a debt collection phone calls as we all know personal contact is very important to make the debtor start to pay his debt. Most of our debt collection phone calls are executed in the first week after the debtor has got his salary paid and the last week in every month just right before the debtor gets his salary paid at the beginning of the upcoming month. Executing these phone calls at this certain period has shown us that results in debtor being more likely and willing to pay the debt or make a payment plan. 

Average length of time to collect a debt? 

The procedure can be tailor made depending on the need of the client. Normally my clients have a 20 – 40 days scheme. Please find attached an example of a collection schedule. 
 
The average time taken to recover a Iceland B2B debt collection case varies from case to case. 

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

Yes, the limitation period for penalty interests is 4 years, the percentage is governed by the Central Bank of Iceland and varies. The statutory rate on claims in Iceland is irrespective of European Base Rate. Currently 12,25%. The Central Bank of Iceland determines its own interest rates and interventions in foreign exchange, and money markets. The statutory rate is governed by the Icelandic Interest Act (Lög um vexti og verðtryggingu No. 138/2001) and it depends on the nature of the claim. The rate is depandant on the decisions of the Central Bank of Iceland. 
 
For undisputed claims it can take only a few months to obtain an enforceable judgment. The time frame if a claim is disputed can substantially vary, depending on many factors; the nature of the matter, the reaction of debtor, the workload on the relevant District Court etc. 
 
An appeal must be lodged within two months from the day the judgment was rendered by the District Court. As from 1st of January 2018 we now have three stages here in Iceland, District Courts (8), Landsrettur and then Hæstiréttur (the Supreme Court). 
 
The court system in Iceland is in many ways like the system in the other Scandinavian countries, but there are nevertheless distinctive features. 

Details on legal service / process in Iceland? 

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. 

Iceland Business Credit Reports 

Creditreform provides over 88 million international business credit reports throughout Europe and 200 million international business credit reports worldwide. There are around 35,000 companies registered in Iceland. We provide freshly investigated Iceland credit reports which 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. 

Iceland Skip Tracing Agents 

Creditreform’s debt collection company service also uses expert local Iceland skip 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 Iceland debt collection services which differ from the UK debt collection agency  services and therefore it is very important that cases are handled directly by our expert international debt collection agencies and not from debt collectors 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. 

Iceland Debt Collection Partners in the following Iceland Cities 

What is the legal system in Iceland? 

The Iceland legal system is based on North Germanic law. Germanic traditional laws and influenced by Medieval Norwegian and Danish laws. 

What is the name of the Government Gazette in Iceland? 

The Gazettes in Iceland are called 
Lögbirtingablað - Iceland Official Journal (Executive and Judicial) 
Stjórnartíðindi - Iceland Law Gazette (Legislative and Executive) 

Which countries border Iceland? 

Iceland is an island nation with no neighour countries but the closes countries are Greenland, Norway and United Kingdom

Who are the main trading partners for Iceland? 

The main trade partners for Iceland are European Union (55%), USA (8%), United Kingdom (7.3%), Norway (6.9%), and China (5.9%). 

What is the Supreme Court in Iceland? 

The Supreme Court for Iceland is called 
Supreme Court of Iceland - Hæstiréttur Íslands, lit. Highest Court of Iceland which was established on 18th August 1919. 

Iceland Debt Collection Agency FAQs 

1. How does a Debt collection agency in Iceland 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 Iceland 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 Iceland 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 Iceland? 

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 Iceland 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 Iceland? 

The reasons for using a local Iceland debt collection agency than processing from a different country is the debt collector in Iceland 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 Iceland debt collection? 

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

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

Instructing the debt collectors Iceland 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 Iceland debt collector? 

When instructing the debt collector in Iceland 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 Iceland 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 Iceland? 

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 Iceland 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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