Empresa de cobranças / Recuperação de crédito letter explained in English

Debt collector. A company that collects debts for banks, phone companies or shops. Check that the debt is yours and the amount is right.

Letters you may get

• Carta de cobrança — they ask you to pay a debt
• Proposta de acordo — they offer a payment plan or a discount
• Aviso de ação judicial — they plan to go to court

What to do

• Ask for proof (contract and invoices) if you don’t recognise the debt.
• Many consumer debts expire after a few years (prescrição). Get advice before you pay an old debt.
• 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

prescrição

When a debt or fine is too old to be collected.

Questions

What is the Empresa de cobranças / Recuperação de crédito?

Debt collector. A company that collects debts for banks, phone companies or shops. Check that the debt is yours and the amount is right.

How long do I have to answer a letter from the Empresa de cobranças / Recuperação de crédito?

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 Empresa de cobranças / Recuperação de crédito 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 · Agente de execução · ANSR / PSP / GNR