Skip to main content
European Commission logo
enen

Cross-border monetary claims

Step by step guide to European payment order (EPO)

  • the claimant submits his/her application using a standard form
  • the court will examine the application and should issue the EPO within 30 days
  • the EPO will be served on the defendant by the court. He/she has 30 days to lodge a statement of opposition to the EPO. If this happens, the case can be transferred to a normal civil procedure under national law
  • if the defendant does not oppose, the EPO will become automatically enforceable
  • if the order became enforceable but the defendant did not pay, the applicant can turn to the enforcement authorities of the EU country where the claim should be enforced (where the defendant or his/her assets are)