Debt collection in Poland
Poland's Elektroniczne Postępowanie Upominawcze (EPU) is a fully digital payment order system. File online. Court reviews within days. If the debtor does not oppose within two weeks, you hold a Nakaz Zapłaty — an enforceable title, issued without a single hearing. Poland built a fast lane for creditors. We know how to use it.
- Collection Rate: 84%
- Avg Days: 58d
- Legal System: Civil law
- Currency: PLN
- Language: Polish
Poland is Central Europe's largest economy and a major B2B trading partner for firms across Western Europe, Scandinavia, and the UK. The opportunity: a fast, digital enforcement system that processes hundreds of thousands of payment orders annually. The challenge: a legal framework that operates entirely in Polish.
The Legal Framework
Polish debt collection operates under the Kodeks Cywilny and the Kodeks Postępowania Cywilnego (KPC). Statutory interest on commercial transactions runs at the NBP reference rate plus 10 percentage points — significantly above Western European averages.
Art. 505¹-505¹⁴ KPC · NBP rate + 10pp
Elektroniczne Postępowanie Upominawcze — fully digital payment order. 75% reduced fees. Statutory interest at NBP reference rate + 10 percentage points.
The EPU: Poland's Digital Payment Order
The EPU is administered by the e-Court in Lublin, handling claims of any value through a fully electronic platform. Filing fees are reduced by 75%. The debtor has 14 days to file a Sprzeciw (objection). If no objection is filed, the Nakaz Zapłaty becomes final and enforceable.
For foreign creditors, the EPU is transformative. However, the filing must be in Polish, with the debtor's NIP or REGON number. Our Poland desk handles EPU filings daily.
- Digital payment order — Filed online at e-Sąd Lublin. 75% fee reduction. Nakaz Zapłaty without hearing.
- Order for payment — For signed documents, Weksel. Debtor must deposit full claim to object.
- Bailiff enforcement — Privatised, competitive. Bank seizure, wage garnishment, asset auction. 10% fee to debtor.
- Promissory note — Still powerful in Poland. Automatic Postępowanie Nakazowe. Near-automatic enforcement.
Enforcement: The Komornik
The Polish Komornik system was reformed and privatised, creating a competitive enforcement market. Komorniks have broad powers: bank account seizure, wage garnishment, seizure of receivables, and forced sale of assets. The creditor can choose any Komornik in Poland.
The Weksel: Poland's Secret Weapon
The Weksel (promissory note) remains powerful in Polish commercial practice. A Weksel in Blanco, properly issued, entitles the creditor to Postępowanie Nakazowe with the debtor required to deposit the full claim to object. If your contract includes a Weksel, enforcement is almost automatic.
The Komornik's fee — typically 10% of the recovered amount — is charged to the debtor. The creditor's enforcement costs are largely borne by the debtor. They are paying for their own enforcement.
- Zajęcie Rachunku Bankowego — Bank account seizure — immediate freeze.
- Zajęcie Wynagrodzenia — Wage garnishment via employer.
- Licytacja — Forced asset auction conducted by Komornik.
- KRD (Krajowy Rejestr Długów) — National debtor register — destroys credit.
FAQ
What is the EPU and how does it work?
The EPU is a fully digital payment order system administered by the e-Court in Lublin. Filing is online, fees are 75% lower, and orders are issued without a hearing.
What interest rate applies to Polish commercial debts?
The NBP reference rate plus 10 percentage points — significantly above Western European averages.
What is a Weksel and why does it matter?
A Weksel (promissory note) is still actively used in Polish B2B contracts. If you hold one, you can obtain a payment order — the debtor must deposit the full claim amount to object.
How long does Polish debt collection take?
Average 58 days. EPU payment orders can be issued within weeks. Enforcement through the Komornik adds 2-4 weeks.
Can EU judgements be enforced in Poland directly?
Yes. Poland fully implements the EEO, EOP, and ESCP — no exequatur required for uncontested EU claims.