Agente de execução letter explained in English
Enforcement agent. An enforcement agent. Collects debts after a court decision, for example by seizing part of your salary or bank account (penhora).
Letters you may get
- Citação para execução — pay or oppose, usually within 20 days
- Notificação de penhora — part of your salary, pension or bank account is seized
What to do
- Part of your salary and pension is protected from seizure. Ask for advice if too much is taken.
- Contact the enforcement agent and ask for a payment plan — it can stop or reduce the seizure.
- Find the deadline. Look for “prazo”, “até”, “data limite”.
- 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 (“reclamação graciosa”, “audiência prévia”, “defesa”, “oposição”, “impugnação”, “recurso”, “reclamação”). See the template.
Words you may see
- penhora
- Seizure of money or goods to pay a debt — for example part of your salary.
- citação
- Official notice that a court case or enforcement was started against you. Deadlines start from it.
- notificação
- An official letter that tells you about a decision or a step in a process.
Questions
What is the Agente de execução?
Enforcement agent. An enforcement agent. Collects debts after a court decision, for example by seizing part of your salary or bank account (penhora).
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Agente de execução?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “prazo”, “até”, “data limite” — they mark the deadline. In Portugal, a letter sent by registered post is usually treated as received on the third day after it was posted. Check if the deadline is in working days (dias úteis) or in calendar days. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“reclamação graciosa”, “audiência prévia”, “defesa”, “oposição”, “impugnação”, “recurso”, “reclamação”).
Can I read a Agente de execução 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 Portuguese. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Portugal
Finanças / Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT) · Segurança Social · IEFP (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional) · AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) · Câmara Municipal / Junta de Freguesia · Tribunal · ANSR / PSP / GNR · Portagens (Via Verde / Infraestruturas de Portugal)