What you need to know about international debt collection laws

Many businesses are unsure what laws apply when chasing unpaid invoices in other countries. This article helps clarify the basics—what applies, where, and why local expertise matters.

No, There Are No Global Collection Laws. Here’s What Actually Applies.

Trying to collect a debt across borders? One of the most common questions we hear is:

“Which laws apply?”

It’s a good question—and the answer surprises many.

The short answer

There’s no such thing as international debt collection law.

Each country sets its own rules for how collections should be handled.

That includes everything from licensing to communication restrictions.

So what international debt collection law applies?

Simple rule: The laws of the debtor’s country.

If your customer is based in Germany, then German rules apply—even if you’re based in Sweden or France.

What those laws usually include

Most national collection laws focus on two main things:

• Protecting the debtor from harassment or unfair practices
• Regulating who is allowed to collect debts (usually through licensing)

Some common legal requirements:

• Agencies need a license to operate
• They can’t call at inappropriate hours
• They must avoid threats or legally groundless claims

What this means for you

If you’re collecting across borders, understanding local law is crucial.

And since most companies can’t stay on top of 40+ jurisdictions, it’s often smarter to work with someone who already does.

Oddcoll works with one trusted collection agency per country—each fully licensed and locally rooted.

Need to collect abroad? Make sure you’re doing it the legal (and effective) way.