Using bailiff for non-payment: steps, costs and powers

Many business owners think that if they have a stubborn defaulter, they should go directly to a bailiff's office. Although a bailiff has legal powers that a collection agency does not, there is a catch: a bailiff almost never works on a No Cure No Pay basis. Once a bailiff performs an official act, you receive the invoice regardless of whether your client pays.

The Credifin Method

We act as your legal director. We always start with an intensive amicable process. Our experience shows that this enables us to collect more than 90% of the claims without the need for a judge. In this way, an outstanding invoice does not remain unnecessarily unsettled. Does it still not work? Then we call in our permanent partner bailiffs. You keep one point of contact, while we tightly manage the bailiff on the basis of the file already built up.

Want to know what to look for when choosing an agency? Then check out our checklist for a reliable collection agency.

A bailiff is more than a collection specialist; he is a public official appointed by the Crown. This gives the bailiff a unique status in the Netherlands. Whereas we as a collection agency work with persuasion, psychology and strict deadlines, the bailiff works with the power of the law.

The unique powers of a bailiff:

Only a judicial officer may perform so-called "official acts. These are acts that require legal status, such as:

• Issuing a subpoena: The official summons to appear in court.
• Serving a judgment: The official delivery of the court's judgment to the debtor.
• Foreclosure: Consider wage garnishment, bank garnishment or attachment of movable property (such as a car) and immovable property (a pledge).
• Evictions: The actual clearing of a home or commercial property.

Many of these actions are recorded in an official bailiff's writ. This states exactly what the bailiff has come to do and under what title he is acting.

In 2026, speed is crucial. A debtor who doesn't pay you probably won't pay others either. First come, first served. We maintain a tight process:

1. The Amicable Phase (No Cure No Pay)
We send summonses, call your customer and put pressure via e-mail and SMS. This is risk-free for you. Does the customer not pay? Then this process will cost you nothing. Do you want to send a letter yourself first? Then use our explanation on how to send a strong reminder.

2. The Judicial Procedure
If the customer refuses to pay but has funds, we advise you to go to court. We prepare the summons and have it served by our partner bailiff. You will receive an advance notice of all important costs, such as court fees and bailiff fees.

3. Execution of the judgment
Once we have a judgment from the court (an "enforceable title"), the bailiff can really get to work. This is the moment when we can seize the debtor's bank account or income. At this stage, we also refer to this as the foreclosure process.

The costs for a bailiff are laid down by law in the Bailiffs' Fees Decree ( Btag). These rates are uniform; therefore, every bailiff's office in the Netherlands uses the same basic rates for official acts.

Note: We always try to recover these costs in full from your debtor. However, you often have to advance these costs. Below are the indicative rates for 2026 (excluding 21% VAT):

Would you like to know which rates apply to your case and what portion you can recover from your client? We will gladly calculate it clearly with you.

The choice between a bailiff and a collection agency depends on the stage of your claim.

• Choose a debt collection agency (Credifin) for a fast, customer-friendly and cost-effective solution in the preliminary process. We work on No Cure No Pay and try to maintain the relationship with your customer.
• Opt for the use of a bailiff (through Credifin) if the customer willfully refuses to pay, if there is a legal dispute or if an immediate attachment is needed to prevent misappropriation of funds.

Our strength: We combine the best of both worlds. You get the flexibility of a modern collection agency and the legal power of a bailiff under one roof.

With more than 20 years of experience, we at Credifin know that going to court is a big step. That's why we make every effort to resolve your claim amicably first. Is that not successful? Then we are your guide through the legal maze.

Why this works for you:

• You remain in control: We never initiate proceedings or bailiff action without your express agreement. You decide every step and every euro.
• No surprises: We explain everything in understandable language. No complicated legal jargon, but a clear plan of action.
• Cost-conscious: We make the costs fully transparent in advance. This prevents bailiff costs from becoming higher than the claim itself.
• Preserving the relationship: Even in court proceedings, we work respectfully. We combine a businesslike, compelling approach with an eye for the human side.

Want to know what the best next step is in your situation? Our specialists are happy to think along with you. We look at your file and give you honest advice on the chances of success.