Albanian Businesses and Debt Collection in the Czech Republic

How to Recover Unpaid Invoices

|Attorney|Czech Bar Association Reg. No. 14692

Published:3/17/2026

Albanian companies doing business in the Czech Republic must recognise that the Czech legal system operates under civil law principles. When a Czech customer fails to pay an invoice, the path to recovery is not simply initiating court proceedings. Czech law requires a specific, mandatory preliminary step that many foreign companies overlook entirely.

Key takeaways

Mandatory pre-action requirement: You must send a formal legal notice 7 days before suing. Without it, you lose the right to have the debtor pay your legal fees.

3-year deadline: Commercial debts generally expire 3 years from the due date. Act fast.

Costs: Court fees are 4% (Electronic Payment Order) or 5% (Standard). These are recoverable from the debtor if you win.

Translations: Budget for certified translations of contracts and delivery notes.

Enforcement: Success depends on the debtor having assets. Pre-check their solvency.

ARROWS law firm

245 007 740 consultation@arws.cz

Conclusion

Collecting debts in the Czech Republic is a structured, formal process. While the legal environment is robust and creditors' rights are protected, success depends on strict adherence to procedural rules—especially the pre-action notice.

ARROWS Law Firm specialises in debt collection for foreign businesses. We navigate the Czech Code of Civil Procedure, manage translations, and handle enforcement so you can focus on your business.

If you are facing non-payment from a Czech partner, contact us at consultation@arws.cz for a preliminary assessment of your claim, costs, and chances of recovery.

FAQ – Frequently asked legal questions

1. How long does it take?

An Electronic Payment Order can be issued in weeks. If unopposed, you have an enforceable title in approx. 2 months. Full litigation takes 6–18 months.

2. Can I get my legal fees back?

Yes, if you win and sent the pre-action letter properly. The court orders the debtor to reimburse costs based on statutory tariffs.

3. Is my claim expired?

If the invoice due date was more than 3 years ago, it is likely time-barred unless the debtor acknowledged it in writing. Contact us immediately to check.

4. What if the debtor has no money?

If the debtor is in insolvency or has multiple existing executions, recovery is unlikely. We recommend a solvency check before filing suit to avoid throwing good money after bad.

ARROWS law firm

245 007 740 consultation@arws.cz

About the author

Mgr. Vojtěch Sucharda

Associate, partner

LinkedIn|Czech Bar Association Reg. No. 14692

Managing Partner ARROWS International | Head of Legal Practice Group ETL Global

sucharda@arws.cz 245 007 740

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Disclaimer:

The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only and serves as a basic guide to the issue as of 2026. Although we strive for maximum accuracy, laws and their interpretation evolve over time. We are ARROWS Law Firm, a member of the Czech Bar Association (our supervisory authority), and for the maximum security of our clients, we are insured for professional liability with a limit of CZK 400,000,000. To verify the current wording of the regulations and their application to your specific situation, it is necessary to contact ARROWS Law Firm directly (consultation@arws.cz). We are not liable for any damages arising from the independent use of the information in this article without prior individual legal consultation.