Debt Collection in Portugal - Procedures and Methods

If you want to recover debts in Portugal in 2026 and need a specialist in the field, you can get in touch with our Portuguese law firm. We assist throughout the entire procedure and provide information about existing methods for debt collection in Portugal.

Quick facts
Applicable regulations for debt collection	– Portuguese Civil Code, – The European Order for Payment (EOP), – Small Claims Procedure
Types of debts that can be recovered in Portugal	– unpaid invoices, – unpaid loans, – rent debts, – unpaid taxes, – overdrafts, etc.
Estimated duration for the court procedure	3 – 6 months
Amicable debt collection option (YES/NO)	YES
Use of mediation	Our attorneys recommend the use of mediation to avoid lengthy court proceedings.
Appealing period	30 days after notification of the original decision
Injunction proceeding	For debts not exceeding 15,000 euros (no amount limit for commercial transactions between businesses)
Asset seizure	– real estate, – personal property, – wages, – bank deposits, – shares in companies, – business interests
Minimum amount for legal debt collection	None
Legal term for paying invoices	30 days
Statute of limitations for collecting overdue invoices	Generally 20 years, but exceptions might apply
Bankruptcy procedure	Includes the sale of the debtor's assets to repay creditors
Documents necessary for debt collection	– contract or agreement between parties, – unpaid bills or invoices, – any communications between the creditor and debtor, – court orders, etc.
International debt recovery (YES/NO)	YES, our lawyers can provide guidance and negotiate on your behalf.
Legal representation for debt collection	Our law firm offers legal representation, upon request.
When is European Injunction imposed to collect debts in Portugal?	Mostly in cases where debts are consistent.
Minimum amount to make a claim for recovering debts (YES?NO)	NO
Debtors can file an opposition in	15 days. Then, the trial hearing takes place in 30 days.
What is an injunction?	A legal procedure that gives executive force to a debt recovery claim with a value of no more than EUR 15,000 (or of any amount if it arises from a commercial transaction).
Warning letter before commencing judicial procedure	Sent to the debtor
Foreign creditors claiming debt recovery in Portugal	With the help of our Portuguese lawyers who can act and represent such clients with a power of attorney.
Can witnesses be part of a debt recovery process in Portugal?	Yes, in order to increase the possibility of debt collection with relevant evidence
New payment terms	Can be negotiated if the debtor is open to negotiations and wants to pay the debts
Is the Alternative Dispute Resolution conducted in Portugal? (YES/NO)	YES (mediation, arbitration centres and Julgados de Paz)
Is it possible to recover debts on your own in Portugal?	Yes; besides the amicable procedure, creditors can file an injunction (injunção) themselves, without a lawyer
Communication between debtors and creditors	With the help of our attorneys in Portugal who can offer representation and legal advice.
Time frame to recover debts in Portugal	Between 2 and 4 years, depending on the type of claim, debts, severity, etc.
When is the seizure of assets imposed?	A creditor who fears losing the guarantee of the debt can request asset seizure through his/her representative or lawyer.
Are there cases where debt recovery is not possible?	Recovery may be limited if the debtor is declared insolvent; claims must then be lodged in the insolvency proceedings.
Cities where we can help you recover debts in Portugal	– Lisbon, – Porto, – Braga, – Coimbra, – Guimaraes, and more

Who can refer us to our debt collection lawyers in Portugal?

Natural persons and business owners in Portugal who want to recover their money from debtors.

What is the first step in debt collection in Portugal?

Making a claim to recover debts is the first step.

What are the debt recovery methods available in Portugal?

amicable procedure,
litigation procedure.

What types of debts can be recovered in Portugal?

unpaid bills/commercial invoices,
debts of companies to other companies,
lease debts,
supplier payments, etc.

Below is an infographic about debt collection stages in Portugal:

How is debt collection done through the amicable procedure in Portugal?

once we make a claim with the support of our debt collection lawyers, we will start the proceedings to recover the money,
the first step is to send notifications to debtors. These can be demanding letters with information about the unpaid debt,
if debtors respond to our notifications, we can start the negotiation process/terms,
then, parties can agree on new payment terms/plans.

NOTE: In case the amicable procedure is not an option, the case will be solved in the court of law.

How is debt recovery done in the court of law in Portugal?

the enforcement proceedings can start.
evidence on the case is presented in the court,
asset seizures can be imposed to recover debts.

Can foreign business owners collect debts from companies in Portugal?

Yes. The same regulations apply.

NOTE: It is best to collaborate with a debt collection agency in Portugal instead of acting on your own when dealing with unpaid business contracts, etc.

Do you offer assistance for debt collection from clients overseas?

Sure! Our debt collection lawyers will enforce cross-border regulations & mechanisms to recover debts from abroad.

You can also watch a video presentation we have prepared on this subject:

What documents are used in a debt collection case in Portugal?

invoices,
agreements/contracts,
unpaid purchase orders,
correspondence/emails comprising info about the unpaid debts, etc.

What happens if the debtor cannot pay or refuses to do so?

Our debt collection lawyers in Portugal will file a payment request to obtain an enforceable order. Once issued, seizure of assets to recover debts is possible.

What is the role of an enforcement agent in Portugal?

A Portuguese enforcement agent can be appointed in a debt collection case to deal with asset seizure procedures. He or she can also sell assets to recover the debts in question.

What types of assets can be seized?

salaries, pensions,
bank accounts,
movable and immovable property, etc.

What is the timeline to collect debts in Portugal?

Starting from 2 months, depending on a case-by-case basis.

Interested in debt collection in Portugal? You are invited to contact our law firm in Portugal and discover what this procedure entails.