Hamburg-Altona District Court

Apply for a payment order

Do you want to enforce outstanding debts quickly and without going to court? Learn how to use the dunning process here.

Use Online-Service

Online dunning application

Detailed description

With the dunning process, you can quickly and easily assert outstanding monetary claims for a fixed amount in euros. This is possible, for example, with unpaid bills or borrowed money. Other claims, such as the delivery of goods or the eviction of an apartment, cannot be enforced this way.



The court does not examine whether you are actually entitled to the claim. Anyone receiving a reminder notice must carefully examine whether the stated amount is actually owed.



If the debtor doesn't respond within the specified deadline, you can take the next step and apply for an enforcement order. Once this order becomes legally binding, you can initiate enforcement proceedings – for example, with the help of a bailiff.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You have your residence or place of business in Hamburg or Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
  • You have a claim for payment of a sum of money from a debtor.
  • The debtor is in default of payment.

Documents required

no

Please note

Respondents can file an objection against a payment order within two weeks.


Respondents may lodge an objection against an enforcement order within two weeks.

Deadlines

no

Procedure

  • You apply for a reminder notice in writing using a form or electronically using the online reminder application.
    • As a law firm or debt collection agency, you must use the online dunning application.
  • The responsible authority issues a reminder notice.
  • You will receive the reminder notice and an invoice for the court costs.
  • You pay the court costs.
    • If you cannot pay the court costs, you may be entitled to legal aid.
    • The court costs were included in the payment order. If your claim is justified, the other party must reimburse you for the court costs incurred.
  • The other party receives the reminder notice. They are requested to pay the debt within a specified period or to object to the reminder notice.
  • If the other party does not respond to the reminder notice, you can apply for an enforcement order after the deadline has expired.
    • If the opposing party files an objection to the enforcement order within the deadline, the legal dispute will be referred to the trial court.
    • Otherwise, the enforcement order becomes final and binding.
  • With the enforcement order you can initiate compulsory enforcement proceedings.

Processing time

It usually takes 6-8 weeks for you to receive the enforcement notice.

Fees

Court fees are incurred for the dunning process. The amount of the court fees depends on the amount of the claim.

Legal remedies

As an applicant, you cannot appeal your own application.

Legal basis

Sections 688 to 703d of the Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/zpo/__688.html

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Hamburg-Altona District Court

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Last updated: 06.02.2026