The European Payment Order (EPO) is a standardised EU procedure that lets you enforce an uncontested commercial debt across all member states using a single form, without hiring a lawyer, for a court fee that typically costs less than €100. If the debtor doesn't respond within 30 days, you have an enforceable order recognised from Lisbon to Tallinn. Fewer than 15% of eligible creditors use it.
You have a client in another EU country who owes you money. You've been told that cross-border litigation is expensive and slow. For uncontested debts — the ones where the debtor isn't disputing the amount, just not paying — there's a procedure specifically designed for your situation. It's been available since 2008 and it's underused to the point of absurdity. Here's how it works, what it costs, and why more companies should be using it.
What is the European Payment Order?
The European Payment Order (Regulation 1896/2006) is a simplified court procedure for cross-border monetary claims within the EU. It was created specifically to make it easy and cheap for companies to collect debts across EU borders without full litigation.
The procedure works like this: you fill in a standard form (Form A), submit it to the court in the debtor's member state (or your own, depending on the jurisdiction clause in your contract), the court issues the order, and the debtor has 30 days to pay or contest. If they don't contest, the order becomes enforceable across all EU member states — automatically, without a separate recognition proceeding.
How do I file a European Payment Order?
- Complete Form A. This is a standardised form available in all EU languages. It requires: your details, the debtor's details, the amount claimed (including interest), the basis of the claim (contract, invoice), and the evidence you're relying on. You don't need to attach evidence at this stage — just describe it.
- Submit to the correct court. Generally, the court in the debtor's member state has jurisdiction. If your contract has a jurisdiction clause, that clause may override. The form can be submitted electronically in many member states.
- Court issues the EPO. The court reviews the form (not the evidence) and issues the payment order, usually within 30 days. There is no hearing. The court fee varies by member state but is typically €35-€100 for claims under €100,000.
- Debtor receives the order. They have 30 days to either pay or file a statement of opposition. If they oppose, the case transfers to ordinary civil proceedings in the relevant court.
- If no opposition: enforcement. The EPO becomes enforceable across all EU member states. You can use it to seize bank accounts, attach assets, or instruct bailiffs — in any EU country where the debtor has assets.
How much does the European Payment Order cost?
Court fees vary by member state. In Germany: approximately €36 for a €10,000 claim, €78 for €50,000. In France: generally no court fee for the initial application. In Spain: approximately €100-€300 depending on the amount. No lawyer is legally required, though professional guidance significantly increases the likelihood that the form is completed correctly and accepted on first submission.
Compare this to full cross-border litigation: lawyer retainers of €3,000-€10,000, court costs, translation fees, enforcement proceedings — easily €15,000+ for a single case. The EPO was designed to eliminate this cost for straightforward, uncontested debts.
What if the debtor contests the European Payment Order?
If the debtor files a statement of opposition within 30 days, the case transfers to ordinary civil proceedings. This is where it becomes a conventional lawsuit — with lawyers, evidence hearings, and full costs.
However, contesting an EPO requires the debtor to actively engage with the court system. Many debtors who ignore emails won't ignore a court order, and those who do contest often do so to negotiate — not to litigate to the end. The filing of an EPO frequently triggers a settlement conversation that was impossible to start through informal channels.
Does the European Payment Order work for large debts?
There is no maximum claim amount. The EPO has been used for claims ranging from €5,000 to several million euros. The procedure is the same regardless of amount — the simplicity is the point.
For very large or complex claims where the debtor is likely to contest, the EPO serves a different purpose: it forces the debtor to engage formally. Even if they contest and the case transfers to ordinary proceedings, you've established your claim, documented the debtor's position, and compressed the timeline compared to starting with litigation from scratch.
If you have an uncontested commercial debt from an EU client, this procedure exists specifically for you. It costs less than a business lunch and works in under 60 days. The reason you haven't used it is probably that nobody told you about it.
Contact us for a free review. We'll assess whether the EPO is the right route for your case.