Skip to content
Emergency

How high may reminder fees be?

A small outstanding bill suddenly turns into much higher amounts through 'reminder fees'? Reminder costs may only compensate the actual damage. You do not have to accept excessive flat rates.

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

Dispute the reminder fees →

Your chances of getting your money back

Only the specific damage caused by default is reimbursable (for example, postage, materials), in practice usually a few euros per reminder. Flat 'processing' or 'reminder fees' of 5, 10 or more euros are often excessive.
The first reminder is usually not reimbursable: with a fixed payment date, you are often already in default without a reminder; otherwise the (first) reminder is what puts you in default, and you do not have to bear its costs.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Check the reminder costs

    How high are the reminder fees charged, and how often? You can question excessive flat rates.

  2. 2

    2. Clarify the main claim

    Is the actual claim justified? If not, object to the entire claim.

  3. 3

    3. Reject the excess

    Declare that you will pay only the justified main claim (plus the actual, small damage from default), not excessive reminder flat rates.

  4. 4

    4. Do not acknowledge anything

    Do not agree to installments on excessive amounts and do not sign any acknowledgment of debt.

Frequently asked questions

How much reminder fee is allowed?

Only the actual damage from default, that is, for example postage and material costs, which are usually only a few euros per reminder. Flat reminder or processing fees of several euros are as a rule excessive and not owed in full.

Do I have to pay the costs of the first reminder?

Often not. If the reminder is what triggers the default, you cannot owe its costs. Only if you were already in default beforehand (for example, because of a calendar-fixed payment date) do default costs come into consideration at all.

Take action now

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

Dispute the reminder feesCheck a suspicious message
More help: Emergency by phone · Act together · Right to a lawyer · All guides

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.