Debt recovery in the Netherlands usually starts out of court and only escalates if the debtor stays silent or disputes the claim.
Amicable phase and statutory costs
A formal demand is sent first. Dutch law sets statutory extrajudicial collection costs (incassokosten) on a sliding scale, which the creditor can add to an undisputed consumer or business debt once the right notice is given.
Court and default judgment
If that fails, proceedings begin with a writ of summons (dagvaarding). Where the debtor does not appear, the court often grants a default judgment. Urgent cases can use summary proceedings (kort geding).
Enforcement by the bailiff
A judgment is enforced by a court bailiff (gerechtsdeurwaarder), who can attach bank accounts, wages and goods (beslag).
Cross-border recovery
For undisputed cross-border claims, the European Payment Order is available, and a judgment from another EU state is enforced in the Netherlands directly under Brussels Ia, without a separate recognition step.
For foreign creditors
A verified Dutch colleague can run the demand, obtain judgment, and instruct a deurwaarder — or enforce your existing EU judgment locally.
Cost rules and procedure change — confirm with admitted Dutch counsel.