Guide
Payment reminders: payment terms, interest and collection costs
Payment terms, statutory interest and the rules for reminders to businesses and consumers.
General information. This guide contains general information and is not tax or legal advice. Your situation may differ. If in doubt, consult the Dutch Tax Administration, the Chamber of Commerce (KVK) or an adviser.
The payment term
According to Ondernemersplein, the maximum payment term for businesses is 60 days, with exceptions. A longer term is only allowed if it causes no disadvantage to the buyer or seller. If nothing was agreed, the term is 30 days. Large companies must pay small and medium-sized businesses within 30 days.
For consumers there is no statutory term: you agree on a reasonable term in your contract or general terms. Put the due date clearly on the invoice. Our due date tool helps you calculate it quickly.
Statutory interest
If a customer pays late, you may charge interest for the period after the due date. For business customers the statutory commercial interest applies, for consumers the statutory interest. You must let the customer know you will charge interest, for example on the invoice or in the reminder.
The percentages can change. That is why we do not quote percentages here: you can find the current rates on the Dutch government page on the level of statutory interest.
Reminding business customers
With businesses you are not obliged to send a reminder first. You can follow the collection procedure in your general terms. Collection costs are limited by law. In practice a reminder is usually still the friendliest first step.
Reminding consumers
With a consumer you must first send a free reminder, without charging for the reminder. You may only charge collection costs after you have called on the consumer to pay within fourteen days, with the term starting on the day after the demand (article 6:96, paragraph 6 of the Dutch Civil Code).
That demand, often called the fourteen-day letter, must be clear about the consequences of not paying. A term that is too short or an unclear letter can mean you cannot charge the collection costs. If you involve a collection agency or bailiff, check the current rules.
The tone of your reminder
Start friendly and factual: mention the invoice number, the amount and the due date, and make paying easy. A second reminder may be firmer. In the final message, state clearly what your next step is and by when the customer can pay. Stay businesslike and respectful; many customers simply forgot to pay.
How FactuurPro helps
In FactuurPro you set when and in what tone you send reminders. Reminders stop automatically once an invoice is paid. If a customer pays part of an invoice, you record the partial payment and see what is still outstanding. Customers can view their invoices in the customer portal.