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Emergency

Fine from abroad: do you have to pay it?

Weeks after your vacation, a fine notice from Italy, France or the Netherlands drops into your mailbox? Some of these demands are enforceable, others are dubious debt-collection letters. What matters is telling the genuine from the fake.

Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:

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Your chances of getting your money back

Fines from EU states can be enforced in Germany from an amount of 70 € (including costs) (EU Framework Decision). Below that, enforcement in Germany is generally not possible, but the demand does not automatically become time-barred abroad.
Beware of private debt-collection firms that collect 'penalties' for foreign parking operators: these are often excessive civil-law demands, not state fines; check carefully who is writing.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Check the sender

    Does the notice come from an authority (enforcement via the Federal Office of Justice) or from a private debt-collection agency? That makes a big difference.

  2. 2

    2. Check the accusation and amount

    Are the location, time, license plate and amount correct? If unclear, you can raise objections.

  3. 3

    3. Take genuine fines seriously

    From 70 € and with official enforcement you should react; ignoring it does not help then.

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    4. Check dubious demands

    For private 'parking tickets' from abroad, check the justification carefully and do not pay hastily.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay a fine from another EU country?

State fines from EU countries are enforceable in Germany from 70 € (including procedural costs). Below that, enforcement here is generally not possible. You should not ignore genuine official notices, but check the sender, amount and accusation.

What about 'parking tickets' from private firms?

Demands from private debt-collection/parking firms for foreign parking operators are not state fines but civil-law demands, often excessive. Check carefully whether there is any contract/claim at all before you pay.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.