Debt Collection in Italy - Legal Procedures

If you want to collect debts in Italy in 2026 and need the services of an expert, you can benefit from our online services and work directly with our law firm. We assist in making a claim, and we also represent our customers at the relevant authorities. Please explore this article for information on this topic and then get in touch with our Italian lawyers.

Quick Facts
In which cases is debt collection in Italy required?	When creditors want to recover their money from various clients/collaborators/companies etc.
Legislation	Civil Procedure Code in Italy, Article 480
When do debt collection proceedings start?	When financial obligations are not undertaken.
Phases of the debt collection process in Italy	Extrajudicial and judicial phases
Can debt collection be made through amicable procedure? (YES/NO)	YES
Is the amicable procedure successful in Italy?	Yes, because, in most cases, debt collection is made without involving a court of law in Italy.
Settlement	Made through an amicable procedure when parties involved agree on new payment terms.
What happens in case of liquidation or bankruptcy?	Debt collection is made through the court of law where new conditions of payment are established.
How is the debtor announced by the creditor?	Through debt collection lawyers who send a notice in this sense
Time frame to pay the debts after notification	10 days
What happens if the debtor does not respond to the notice received?	Our debt collection attorneys in Italy can present the respective case to the court of law for specific proceedings.
Court decision in debt collection cases	A decree is issued. The debtor must make a payment in no more than 40 days from service of the respective decree (or file an opposition within the same term).
What is an enforceable decree or executive formula?	An injunction decree declared enforceable by the court; since 28 February 2023 (Cartabia reform) the ‘formula esecutiva’ is no longer affixed – a certified copy of the title is sufficient
Working with our Italian debt collection lawyers	We have experience in debt collection cases and represent creditors through the entire process until the money is received.
The Italian payment order	The Italian law provides for specific cases in which a payment order may be issued by court.
Italian payment order use	Documented proof of the exact due amount have to be provided for the enforcement of the order.
Payment order opposition	The defendant may choose to pay or to appeal the order.
The European order for payment	Can be enforced under European Commission regulations.
European order applicability	The procedure is applied uniformly within EU member states.
European order use in Italy	An European order for payment is optional and can be additional to the national payment order.
Assistance for European payment orders	Yes, upon request.
Italian courts that can issue an European order for payment	The Magistrate’s courts, the ordinary civil court or the court of appeal.
Payment claims that can be made under an European order	Disputes concerning movable property, interest for late payment, claims for rent, claims related to contracts, etc.
Estimated amicable debt collection duration	Usually a few months, especially when a scheduled payment plan is implemented.
Estimated court debt collection duration	Can be several months to a year
Taking over an already commenced debt collection process	Possible, subject to prior evaluation from our team.
When to contact us for debt collection	As soon as the payment is past due or when encountering issues in a self-started amicable payment negotiation phase.
Our team	We work with experienced lawyers who specialize not only in debt collection in Italy but also Contract Law and cross-country collection.
Other services in Italy	Our law firm offers a full range of services from corporate and commercial to Family Law.

Who can reach out to us in debt collection cases in Italy?

Natural persons and company owners in Italy who want representation in debt recovery cases.

What are the key methods to collect debts in Italy?

mediation or out-of-court method,
in the court of law, known as judicial method,
enforcement methods involving asset seizure.

What is the first step in a debt collection case in Italy?

Making a claim.

Here is an infographic with details about debt recovery in Italy:

What types of debts can be collected in Italy?

Unpaid invoices,
Company debts,
Supplier payments,
Correspondence,
Delivery notes,
Rental debts, etc.

How is debt recovery done through the amicable procedure in Italy?

the process starts with a claim that can be made by our debt collection lawyers in Italy,
we will send notification letters claiming the debt to be paid,
the negotiation process may start if debtors respond to our notifications,
if new payment terms are agreed by the parties involved, the recovery process may be concluded.

NOTE: If the amicable procedure fails, the case is brought to the court of law.

How is debt collection done in the court of law in Italy?

this is known as the judicial phase or fast-track payment order,
an injunctive payment order is recommended by our Italian lawyers,
invoices and other evidence are needed for the case,
the court analyzes the case and can issue a payment order in about 30-60 days,
no hearing is required.

You may watch the following video about this topic:

How is debt recovery made through asset seizure in Italy?

This is the enforcement phase through which, if there is no payment made within 40-50 days, assets can be seized through a judicial bailiff.

IMPORTANT: The cases involving the court of law can be overseen by our Italian lawyers.

What types of assets can be seized?

Bank accounts,
Real estate properties,
Third-party receivables,
Various movable properties, etc.

Can foreign company owners collect debts in Italy?

Yes.

Can I be assisted in debt collection cases involving customers overseas?

Yes. We have debt recovery attorneys with experience in cross-border debt collection cases.

NOTE: We recommend the European Order for Payment in monetary claims involving cross-border commercial and civil matters.

Can natural persons act on their own when collecting debts in Italy?

It is recommended to solicit legal services in Italy instead of acting on their own because the case might get difficult.
The debtor may oppose the creditor’s injunction (“opposizione a decreto ingiuntivo”) which complicates the case if legal support is not requested.

Are you ready to make a claim and recover debts in Italy in 2026? We suggest you contact our law firm in Italy and benefit from the legal services we offer.

We can also help you if you want to open a company in another country, such as Luxembourg, through our local partners.