Debt Collection in Austria
Our focus is on professional debt collection in Austria. We support companies, law firms, and high-net-worth individuals in enforcing outstanding claims of €250,000 / $250,000 or more – lawfully and effectively.
With in-depth knowledge of Austrian civil procedure law and a trusted network of local partners, we develop tailored strategies aligned with the specific legal requirements and economic conditions in Austria.
Strong Network of Local Partners
Through partnerships with licensed debt collection agencies, specialized attorneys, and investigative services based directly in Austria, we ensure that your claims are enforced efficiently and professionally.
Local Expertise Meets International Reach
We are thoroughly familiar with Austria’s legal, economic, and cultural landscape – and we use this knowledge strategically to recover your claims discreetly and successfully.
Exceptionally High Success Rate
Our approach goes far beyond standardized dunning procedures: we combine proven methods of Austrian receivables management with customized strategies for each individual case.
Your Debt Collection Agency in Austria
With over 20 years of experience in international receivables management and a strong track record of successfully resolved cases, we are a reliable partner for debt collection in Austria. Our experts coordinate all actions locally and personally guide you through every step of the process – from initial assessment to successful enforcement.
Our clients include both international companies and high-net-worth individuals who value our high success rate, clear communication, and legally sound approach.
Every debt collection case begins with a thorough assessment of your claim.
To do so, we require relevant documentation – such as contracts, acknowledgements of debt, or existing court rulings. Based on this, we develop a tailored strategy aligned with the legal requirements of the Austrian Enforcement Code (Exekutionsordnung – EO) and the specifics of your case.
Our first step is direct contact with the debtor, aiming for an out-of-court settlement. If this approach proves unsuccessful, we guide you through the judicial dunning process and, if necessary, file for enforcement with the competent district court.
Thanks to our regional partner network and international resources, we are able to track down assets in a targeted manner – even in complex or cross-border cases that may initially appear unrecoverable.
Our Tailored Service for Austria
Successful debt collection in Austria requires more than standardized procedures. The judicial dunning process, the formal requirements of the Austrian Enforcement Code (Exekutionsordnung), and the necessary cooperation with a licensed collection agency in Austria demand an individual approach. That’s why we offer you:
- Non-binding case assessment: We review your claim free of charge and evaluate its chances of success, taking into account limitation periods, available documentation, and enforceability under Austrian law.
- Transparent compensation: Our services are primarily success-based. An agreed security retainer is either refunded or offset against the commission in case of successful recovery.
- Legal support: For the judicial enforcement of your claim, we cooperate with experienced attorneys in Austria. They assist with the dunning procedure, enforcement application, and, if needed, asset disclosure.
- Discretion and professionalism: We protect your reputation as a creditor while managing the entire collection process – with structure, integrity, and efficiency.
Especially in complex cases or when dealing with unwilling debtors, we develop customized strategies that take both the legal framework and economic context into account. This enables us to achieve results where others have already given up.
How Our Debt Collection Process Works
Before DEASA accepts a case, we need to see what the claim is about, how much is owed, who the debtor is, and what documentation is available. This initial review helps us determine whether the case meets our requirements and can be handled by our network.
1. Get in Touch
Send us the basic details of the claim, including the amount, debtor, reason for the debt, and any relevant documents.
2. Case Review
We examine the information provided and assess the claim, the available evidence, and the circumstances surrounding the non-payment.
3. Individual Offer
If the case is suitable for DEASA, we prepare a proposal for the assignment. The terms depend on the claim and the work expected to be involved.
4. Security Deposit and Mandate
A security deposit is required before the mandate is accepted. Once the agreed terms are in place and the deposit has been paid, DEASA can formally take on the assignment. The deposit may be refunded after successful completion or offset against the success fee, according to the agreed terms.
Important Case Requirements
- Minimum claim amount: DEASA reviews claims starting at EUR/USD 250,000.
- Claim documentation: The claim must be sufficiently substantiated. A court judgment or other enforceable title is preferable where available.
- Security deposit: A deposit is required before the mandate is accepted and is separate from the agreed success fee.
What You Need to Know About Debt Collection in Austria
We work with a trusted network of debt collection specialists and lawyers in nearly all European countries, for example, in cross-border claims between Germany and Austria. This enables us to efficiently overcome legal, cultural, and language barriers and enforce your claims internationally when you appoint us as your debt collection agency in Austria.
An enforcement title is a court decision or legally equivalent instrument that entitles the creditor to initiate enforcement proceedings (in Austria: “Exekution”). Typical enforcement titles include:
- Final and binding judgments and court orders from Austrian courts
- Payment orders in judicial dunning proceedings (§ 244 et seq. Austrian Enforcement Code – EO)
- Enforceable notarial acts (§ 3 no. 5 EO)
- Court settlements
- Foreign titles recognized under EU law or bilateral agreements
To obtain an enforcement title, a lawsuit or judicial dunning procedure usually needs to be initiated. If the payment order is not contested, a legally enforceable payment decree is issued. This is provided with a clause of enforceability (e.g. “enforceable”) and can then be used to initiate enforcement.
To assess and enforce your claim, we require the following documents (if available):
- Invoices and delivery notes
- Contracts or order confirmations
- Acknowledgements of debt
- Reminder letters or payment requests
- Relevant email correspondence or call notes
- Existing court decisions or judgments
- Debtor information (name, address, VAT ID, etc.)
- Extract from the commercial register (for legal entities)
The more complete and substantiated the documents, the higher the chances of success – both out of court and in legal proceedings.
Limitation periods in Austria depend on the type of claim:
- General limitation period: 3 years (e.g. for service fees, purchase price claims)
- Extended period: 30 years for enforceable claims (e.g. court judgments)
- Special periods:
- 5 years for rent claims (e.g. overdue rent)
- 1 year for certain tort claims (e.g. specific damages)
In general, the limitation period begins on the due date of the claim. It can be interrupted or suspended by legal action or acknowledgment by the debtor.
Yes. In Austria, creditors are entitled to claim default interest and reimbursement of necessary collection costs in accordance with §§ 1333 and 1335 of the Austrian Civil Code (ABGB) and § 458 of the Austrian Commercial Code (UGB, for business-to-business claims).