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Paying a fine in installments: applying for payment relief

A fine does not always have to be paid immediately and in full. Anyone in a financial hardship can apply for payment relief, that is, installments or a deferral. That is better than simply not paying the fine.

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Your chances of getting your money back

On application, the authority can grant payment relief, for example installments or deferral, if immediate payment of the fine is not reasonable (§ 18 OWiG).
Anyone who does not pay a legally binding fine and applies for no relief risks enforcement and, in certain cases, coercive detention. A timely application avoids that.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Set out the situation

    Describe your financial situation to the authority comprehensibly.

  2. 2

    2. Apply for relief

    Apply for installments or deferral in writing and on time.

  3. 3

    3. Keep to the installments

    Pay the agreed installments punctually so as not to endanger the arrangement.

  4. 4

    4. Report problems

    With new difficulties, seek the conversation with the authority early.

How to spot the scam

  • The fine is ignored instead of applying for relief.
  • Agreed installments are not kept.
  • A threatening coercive detention is underestimated.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay a fine in installments?

Yes, that is possible. On application the authority can grant payment relief such as installments or a deferral if immediate payment is not reasonable for you (§ 18 OWiG). Set out your financial situation and file the application on time.

What happens if I do not pay at all?

A legally binding fine is enforced. With persistent non-payment, coercive detention threatens in certain cases, which does not, however, extinguish the debt. That is why an application for installments is almost always better than ignoring the fine.

How do I apply for installments?

Informally in writing to the fine office, stating your income and financial circumstances and a proposal for the installment amount. React quickly after receiving the notice, ideally before the due date, so no enforcement measures are initiated.

Take action now

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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.