{"id":17626,"date":"2026-01-13T12:51:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T10:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blaj-law.ro\/?p=17626"},"modified":"2026-01-13T12:56:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T10:56:22","slug":"debt-collection-from-romania-what-to-expect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blaj-law.ro\/en\/blog\/debt-collection-from-romania-what-to-expect\/","title":{"rendered":"Debt collection from Romania. What to expect?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unfortunately, there is a well-known practice across Europe whereby individuals who temporarily reside in another country enter into contracts for various services, such as medical services or credit agreements, without any genuine intention to pay. In many cases, these individuals return to their country of residence while leaving their financial obligations unpaid, which creates serious difficulties for creditors trying to recover outstanding amounts.<\/span><\/p>\n

This economic and professional mobility has generated a constant flow of Romanian debtors living and working across different parts of Europe. For international companies, this reality brings specific and increasingly common challenges in terms of <\/span>debt collection from Romania<\/b><\/a>, especially when the debtor\u2019s location or assets are no longer easily traceable, or when cross-border enforcement becomes necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

Non-payment is also frequently encountered between professionals in B2B relationships, where businesses fail to pay for goods delivered or services provided. In many situations, the debtor invokes financial difficulties, which can indeed arise at any time. However, there are also cases in which the debtor relies on an unjustified expectation that an international contractual partner will not take legal action before Romanian courts to recover the debt. This type of conduct may significantly complicate the recovery process and can lead to prolonged delays in obtaining payment, even when the claim is clearly documented.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to <\/span>debt collection Romania<\/b>, creditors generally have two main legal routes available. The first option involves initiating a European procedure that can ultimately be enforced through compulsory execution in Romania. The second option, and often the more effective approach, is to pursue the entire debt recovery process directly under Romanian procedural law, from the initial court stage through to enforcement, depending on the nature of the claim and the specific circumstances of the debtor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pursuing a European procedure and enforcing the claim in Romania<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>European Small Claims Procedure<\/b> and the <\/span>European Order for Payment<\/b> are the main instruments that allow creditors to obtain, within a relatively short timeframe, an enforceable title that is valid across all EU Member States.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, although the decisions and orders issued under these procedures benefit from automatic recognition throughout the European Union, <\/span>the enforcement stage itself is not harmonised at EU level<\/b>. As a result, the actual compulsory enforcement must be carried out exclusively in the Member State where the debtor is domiciled or where the debtor\u2019s assets are located, in accordance with the applicable national law.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the case of debtors established in Romania, enforcement is performed under the Romanian Civil Procedure Code, through a Romanian court enforcement officer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While European procedures have clear advantages, it is nevertheless essential to assess jurisdiction carefully, especially in B2C portfolios. Jurisdiction clauses that designate the courts of the country where the service was contracted may be regarded as unfair, with courts giving priority to the consumer\u2019s domicile, meaning, in many cases, the Romanian courts. In this respect, the following legal sources are relevant:<\/span><\/p>\n