France Debt Collection Guide
Filing fees, claim limits, demand letter requirements, court process, service rules, and enforcement options for collecting money in France. Verify local court rules before filing.
Court
Tribunal judiciaire / Tribunal de proximite / Tribunal de commerce
Filing Fee
Free (no court fees for civil claims) - ~$0 USD
Claim Limit
No fixed cap for injonction de payer; court depends on the debt type and amount
Timeline
3-6 months
Filing Instructions
- 1Prepare a request for an injonction de payer with a schedule of supporting documents
- 2File the request with the competent tribunal by post or at the court counter
- 3If the judge grants the order, have it served on the debtor
- 4The debtor has one month from service to oppose the order
- 5If there is no opposition, request enforcement of the payment order
Required Forms
- - Requete en injonction de payer
- - Bordereau des pieces justificatives
Service Rules
If an order is granted, it must be served on the debtor; the debtor generally has one month to object.
Legal Basis
Code de procedure civile, injonction de payer procedure
Enforcement Options
- - Saisie-attribution (bank account seizure)
- - Saisie sur salaire (wage garnishment)
- - Saisie-vente (seizure and sale of goods)
- - Judicial security or mortgage measures where available
Important Notes
France is better framed around the injonction de payer for documented unpaid debts, not a generic small-claims court. Court jurisdiction depends on the type of debt, and the debtor can oppose the order after service.
Start with a demand letter
Document the claim before escalating to a court or tribunal.
Start Your Case