Calculate collection costs
Instantly calculate how much collection costs you may legally charge on an unpaid invoice. Our calculator is based on the BIK scale (Decree on Compensation for Extrajudicial Collection Costs) and takes into account the minimum of € 40,00 and the maximum of € 6.775,00. Before you may charge collection costs, you must first send a WIK letter (14-day demand letter).
Calculate your collection costs
The statutory BIK scale
The amount of collection costs you may claim is established by law in the Decree on Compensation for Extrajudicial Collection Costs. The scale works cumulatively: for higher amounts, you pay the applicable percentage for each tier.
Please note: the minimum amount of collection costs is € 40,00 and the maximum is € 6.775,00. The scale works cumulatively — for a claim of, for example, € 4.000,00, you pay 15% on the first € 2.500,00 and 10% on the remaining € 1.500,00. In addition to collection costs, you can also claim statutory interest. Read about the difference between a reminder and a WIK letter.
Frequently asked questions about collection costs
When are you allowed to charge collection costs?
You may charge collection costs after you have sent the debtor a so-called 14-day demand letter (WIK letter). In this letter, you give the debtor a final period of at least 14 days to pay the outstanding invoice. Only after this period has expired without payment may you charge the statutory collection costs. Please note: the 14-day period only starts running on the day after receipt of the letter.
Read more about when you may charge collection costs →Do you need to charge VAT on collection costs?
That depends on your situation. If you are VAT registered and the debtor cannot offset the VAT (for example, a consumer), you may charge 21% VAT on the collection costs. Between business parties who are both VAT registered, it is customary not to charge VAT on collection costs, as the debtor can offset it anyway. Our calculator offers an option to include VAT in the calculation.
Read more about collection costs and VAT →Does the BIK scale also apply to business clients?
The statutory BIK scale is mandatory for claims against consumers (B2C). For business debtors (B2B), the scale is not compulsory, but it does serve as a reasonable benchmark. In practice, the same scale is often applied to business claims, unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed in the general terms and conditions or the contract. In the event of a dispute, a court will use the BIK scale as a standard to assess whether the claimed collection costs are reasonable.
What if the debtor has made a partial payment?
If the debtor has made a partial payment, you calculate the collection costs on the remaining outstanding amount. For example, if a debtor has already paid € 1,000 of a € 3,000 invoice, you calculate the collection costs on the remaining € 2,000. In that case, enter the outstanding amount in our calculator to determine the correct figure.