What exactly is amicable debt collection?

Amicable collection, also known as out-of-court collection, is the phase in which we try to get your debtor to pay without the need for a court judgment. The goal is simple: collect the principal, accrued interest and collection costs through persuasion and clear summonses.

In 2026, the amicable process at Credifin is a high-quality process in which we use multiple channels to reach the debtor. Think of mail, e-mail, SMS and our online portal. We act as the necessary third party that removes the non-committal nature of your own reminders and seamlessly integrates with your debtor management.

The benefits of the amicable process at Credifin

Many business owners hesitate to use a collection agency for fear of high costs or reputational damage. With amicable debt collection, those concerns are unwarranted, especially if you work with a specialized firm that works according to the latest legislation.

  • No Cure No Pay: You don't run any financial risk. If we fail to collect at this stage, you pay no fee. Read more about our model on the No Cure No Pay debt collection page.
  • Speed: Whereas litigation can take months, the majority of amicable cases at Credifin are resolved within 14 to 21 days.
  • Customer retention: Our approach is brisk but always respectful. We collect your money, but make sure you can still do business with your customer tomorrow.
  • Full compensation: We recover collection costs and interest from the debtor. In most cases, you receive the full 100 percent of your invoice amount.

The process: how we collect your claim

Once you submit your file online, our collection process begins. Filling it out takes less than 5 minutes. From that moment on, we take care of the entire amicable process and you can follow everything in the online portal.

  1. Step 1: The direct summons
    Within 24 hours, the debtor will receive the first formal summons. In 2026, we send it not only by mail, but also by e-mail and SMS with a direct payment link. In this way we reduce the threshold for direct payment to a minimum.
  2. Step 2: Telephone follow-up and dialogue
    Does payment remain outstanding? Our specialists contact you by phone. We investigate why the invoice is outstanding and push for immediate payment or a tightly controlled payment arrangement. We record all agreements.
  3. Step 3: Monitoring and increasing pressure
    We keep our finger on the pulse. If a debtor fails to honor an arrangement, we immediately increase the pressure with a final summons and, if necessary, announce the next step in the collection process.

The difference between business and private debt collection

Collecting in 2026 requires precision. As a Wki-approved agency(Justis No. 0023), Credifin makes a strict distinction between business and private files. This is how we avoid legal errors and maximize your results.

Business Collections (B2B)

In the case of claims against companies, we immediately shift into top gear.

  • Immediate impact: No waiting period. Once the due date has passed, we start the process including collection costs and legal commercial interest.
  • Business approach: A brisk, professional approach aimed at prompt payment while maintaining your business relationship.

Consumer debt collection (B2C)

With private individuals, the law protects the debtor. We make sure your file is legally watertight.

The 14-day letter (WIK): It is your legal duty to first send the consumer one free reminder letter yourself. We check this letter strictly at the start. Not yet sent? No worries: we will gladly take over this process from you at a competitive rate.
Broad expertise: In addition to collecting invoices, we also:

  • Rent & Deposit: Reclaiming wrongfully withheld deposit.
  • Down payments: Your money back on undelivered products (cars, furniture) or construction complaints.
  • Undue payment: Recovering money after a wrong transfer(Art. 6:203 BW).
  • Webshop refuses returns: Have you returned a product, but your money remains outstanding

Our Acceptance Policy: What we do and don't do

WILL: Claims with Evidence. We claim only on the basis of proof. Provide an invoice, signed contract or clear email confirmation. Without proof, there is no chance of success.

NOT: No file without a contract. For the highest quality, we do not take the following cases:

  • Child support claims (for this you go to the LBIO).
  • Private loans without a written, signed loan agreement.
  • Verbal agreements without any written substantiation.

In doubt about your file? We are happy to take a look with you for honest and feasible advice.

Why 94% of cases succeed

Our high success rate is no accident. It is the result of more than 20 years of experience and data-driven debt collection. We know when best to call a debtor, which texts in an SMS have the most effect and when the time is right to clearly announce the move to court.

Because of our location on the Zuidas and our official status with the Ministry of Justice and Security, debtors know that we are a serious party and do not give up. In the online portal you can see every step we take, so you can understand exactly why 94 percent of the files are already resolved in this amicable phase.

What if amicable collection fails?

Should the debtor refuse to pay despite all efforts, we will not let you down. After the amicable process, we advise you honestly about the next steps and their feasibility.

  • Judicial proceedings: We can draft a subpoena and take the debtor to court to obtain a judgment.
  • Seizure: A judgment allows a bailiff to seize, for example, income, bank balances or property. This falls under the judicial phase of the collection process through the courts.
  • Bankruptcy filing: In extreme cases, you can use a bankruptcy filing to put maximum pressure on an unwilling debtor.

Because your file is already fully and structured in the amicable phase, we can take these steps quickly and efficiently. You get honest advice, full transparency about the costs and a clear proposal for the best next step.

File your amicable debt collection today

Don't want to waste any more energy on overdue payments? Submit your invoice and we will immediately start the amicable process. You keep control and full insight into the progress, we take care of the follow-up and communication with your customer.

Thus, debt collection becomes a tightly regulated process, rather than a recurring source of frustration. And you take full advantage of our No Cure No Pay collection model within the complete collection process.

The biggest benefits clear at once

Amicable debt collection combines the best of both worlds: maximum pressure on the debtor, without the heaviness and expense of litigation. Your customer gets one last, clear chance to pay, while you yourself no longer spend time on follow-up calls or emails.

  • Peace of mind: You no longer have to chase outstanding invoices yourself.
  • Overview: 24/7 access to all files through the online portal.
  • Faster results: Through a smart mix of channels and clear communication, payments are made more often and sooner.

The tone is not threatening, but serious and consistent. This keeps the relationship with your customer intact as much as possible, while you simply get what you are entitled to: payment of your invoice. Want to know how out-of-court debt collection fits into the complete debt collection process? Then we will be happy to explain it to you step by step.

In the end, it's all about one thing: you get your money, with as little hassle as possible.

Large numbers of requisitions? Let our API do the heavy lifting.

Are you growing fast and is entering files or uploading CSV lists taking more and more time? That can be done smarter. Link your system directly to Credifin and automate your entire collection flow. From invoice submission to real-time status updates: everything happens automatically, without you having to worry about it.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

You can start as soon as the payment date has passed and you have already sent a reminder. Is your customer not responding or not paying? Then it is wise not to wait too long. The sooner we start, the greater the chance that you will get paid quickly.

In out-of-court debt collection, we try to collect the invoice without recourse to the courts. We contact your customer clearly and neatly and try to find a solution, such as immediate payment or a payment plan.
If this does not produce any results, you can then opt for judicial collection. This does involve a judge and further measures may follow.

Yes, that’s not a problem. You can submit multiple invoices at the same time. If you need this more often, we can also create an API link to your accounting or billing system. Invoices are then automatically forwarded and the collection process starts immediately.

Yes, this is often possible. Through the online portal, your client can request a payment plan on their own. We assess whether it is reasonable and feasible. This way, your client will get moving and you will still work towards full payment.

After submitting your invoice, you get access to your online portal. There you can see the status of your case day and night: what steps have been taken, what responses have been received and whether payment has already been made. Everything is clearly arranged.

We work on a no result, no fee basis. That means you pay nothing if no collection is made. If the invoice is paid, the legal collection costs are usually charged to your client. We always discuss any exceptions with you in advance.

We use various means of contact, such as letters, e-mail, text messages and sometimes telephone contact. The tone is always professional and clear, but not unnecessarily strict. We explain what is outstanding, how to pay, and what happens if payment is not made.

Top experience - always the desired result so far!

Turn- en Sportvereniging VIRTO

A very effective collection agency! We worked with Credifin Netherlands on an international B2B debt. They handled everything professionally, kept us informed and successfully collected the full amount from the debtor within a few days. Highly recommended for cross-border business debt collection.

42 Coffee Cups

We are in fashion with our company and want to keep our focus on the core business. That is why it is very nice to have collection agency Credifin as a safety net! They unburden us and thanks to them we almost always receive all payments.

Bibian Hoyng State-of-Brands

Results you can count on

94

Collection success rate.

14days

Average time to first payment.

100

No cure, no pay no fees for no results

20.000

Active customers in our system.