How to Recover a Debt in the Czech Republic: Demand Letter, Payment Order, Court

Quick answers

Can I get money back without a written IOU?

Yes. A written IOU is not required: the court also accepts bank transfers, messages and witnesses. The more written traces, the easier it is.

How much does it cost to take a debtor to court in the Czech Republic?

An electronic payment order costs CZK 400 for a debt up to CZK 10,000, CZK 800 up to CZK 20,000 and 4 % of a higher amount. An ordinary claim costs CZK 1,000 up to CZK 20,000 and 5 % above that. A lawyer's fee is agreed separately.

Do I need a debt collection agency?

No. A collection agency can only send reminders. Forced recovery from wages, accounts or property needs a final judgment or payment order and a court bailiff (exekutor).

What you can do now

1. 1

   Gather proof of the debt

   A contract, IOU, invoice, bank transfer, messages in which the debtor admits the debt, witnesses. A written IOU is not required: a loan without one can be proved by the transfer and the messages.

2. 2

   Send a written demand for payment

   State the amount, the reason and a payment deadline, and send it by registered post to the debtor's address at least 7 days before filing. Without this demand the court may refuse to award you your legal costs, even if you win.

3. 3

   Add late-payment interest

   Unless you agreed otherwise, late-payment interest is the Czech National Bank's repo rate plus 8 percentage points a year — the rate valid on the first day of the half-year in which the debtor fell behind.

4. 4

   Apply for a payment order

   The court can issue a payment order without a hearing. It is served on the debtor in person, who then has 15 days to pay or to object (odpor). Without an objection the order has the effect of a final judgment; after an objection the court holds a hearing.

5. 5

   The electronic payment order costs less

   Filed on the official electronic form with a signature, it costs CZK 400 for a debt up to CZK 10,000, CZK 800 up to CZK 20,000 and 4 % of a higher amount. An ordinary claim costs CZK 1,000 up to CZK 20,000 and 5 % above that.

6. 6

   Still not paid? Instruct a bailiff

   With a final judgment or payment order you choose a court bailiff (exekutor), who recovers the debt from the debtor's wages, bank account or property.

Deadlines and money

The limitation period is usually three years from the day the money could first be claimed, and at most ten years from the day it fell due; after that the debtor may refuse to pay. Filing with a court stops the clock. The demand letter must go out at least 7 days before the claim, and the debtor has 15 days to respond to a payment order. Court fees since 1 January 2026: CZK 1,000 up to CZK 20,000 and 5 % above; an electronic payment order from CZK 400. A judgment on up to CZK 10,000 can usually not be appealed. If you win, the court normally orders the debtor to pay your costs, including the statutory part of the lawyer's fee. A payment order cannot be issued if the debtor's address is unknown or the debtor must be served abroad.

Can you handle it yourself, or do you need a lawyer?

A small, undisputed debt can be recovered without a lawyer through the electronic payment order. Get a lawyer if the amount is large, the debtor disputes it, there is no written contract, the debtor has moved abroad or the limitation period is close to running out. Through LawBridge you describe your case once and get a list of verified debt recovery lawyers in Prague; a lawyer's work is always paid, and you agree the fee directly with the lawyer.

Bring the contract or IOU, proof of the payments, your messages with the debtor, a copy of the demand letter with proof of posting and the debtor's last known address.

Where to get help in Prague

• Residence and visas

  The Ministry of the Interior's OAMP office — book an appointment through the Information Portal for Foreigners or on +420 974 801 801.

  Ministerstvo vnitra — Odbor azylové a migrační politiky (OAMP)

• Free advice for foreigners

  The regional integration centre gives free advice in several languages and helps with offices.

  Integrační centrum Praha

• Wages and working conditions

  The regional labour inspectorate takes complaints against employers free of charge.

  Oblastní inspektorát práce pro hlavní město Prahu

• Court

  The district court for civil disputes such as deposits, wages or divorce.

  Obvodní soud podle městské části, kde bydlíte

Documents to Prepare

• •Contract, IOU or invoice
• •Bank statements showing the money sent
• •Messages in which the debtor admits the debt
• •Copy of the written demand and proof of posting
• •The debtor's address and date of birth or company ID number (IČO)

Frequently Asked Questions

Legal background

Recovering money in the Czech Republic is governed by the Czech Civil Code and the Code of Civil Procedure. A claimant gets the costs of the proceedings only after sending the debtor a written demand at least 7 days before filing. The court can issue a payment order without a hearing, and the debtor can object within 15 days. A payment order cannot be issued when the debtor's address is unknown or service must take place abroad. Late-payment interest and court fees are set by law; the fees changed on 1 January 2026.

Verified Sources

• Code of Civil Procedure (Act No. 99/1963 Coll.), Sections 142a, 172–174a, 202 — Zákony pro lidi
• Court Fees Act (Act No. 549/1991 Coll.), tariff items 1 and 2, as in force from 1 January 2026 — Zákony pro lidi
• Government Regulation No. 351/2013 Coll. on late-payment interest — Zákony pro lidi
• Civil Code (Act No. 89/2012 Coll.), Sections 609, 619, 629, 648, 1970 — Zákony pro lidi

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