Incassobureau letter explained in English
Debt collection agency. A company that collects unpaid bills for someone else. It can’t seize anything itself — only a bailiff can, usually after a court decision.
Letters you may get
- Sommatie or aanmaning — a demand to pay a debt plus costs
- Veertiendagenbrief — your last chance to pay within 14 days without collection costs
- Betalingsregeling — an offer to pay in parts
What to do
- Collection costs are capped by law. Before they may charge them, you must get a letter that gives you 14 days to pay.
- Don’t recognise the debt? Ask for proof in writing before you pay.
- Find the deadline. Look for “termijn”, “uiterlijk”, “binnen”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“bezwaar”, “beroep”, “verzet”). See the template.
Words you may see
- aanmaning
- Formal payment demand. You paid late, and costs are often added.
- betalingsregeling
- Payment plan. You pay a debt in monthly parts.
Questions
What is the Incassobureau?
Debt collection agency. A company that collects unpaid bills for someone else. It can’t seize anything itself — only a bailiff can, usually after a court decision.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Incassobureau?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “termijn”, “uiterlijk”, “binnen” — they mark the deadline. In the Netherlands, the time to object usually starts the day after the date on the letter (dagtekening), not the day it arrives. So count from the date on the letter. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“bezwaar”, “beroep”, “verzet”).
Can I read a Incassobureau letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in Dutch. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in the Netherlands
Belastingdienst · Dienst Toeslagen (Belastingdienst/Toeslagen) · CJIB (Centraal Justitieel Incassobureau) · Gemeente · Waterschap / hoogheemraadschap · UWV · IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) · SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank)