What Is a Mahnbescheid?

The Mahnbescheid is a judicial payment order issued by a German local court (Amtsgericht) without examining the merits of the claim. It is governed by Sections 688-703d of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO). This streamlined procedure allows creditors to obtain an enforceable title (Vollstreckungsbescheid) quickly and at low cost — typically within 2-4 weeks — without needing to file a full lawsuit.

The Mahnverfahren (dunning procedure) is the most-used civil procedure in Germany, with over 4 million applications filed annually. It is particularly effective for undisputed monetary claims such as unpaid invoices, loan repayments, and service fees.

When Can You Use a Mahnbescheid?

The Mahnverfahren is available for claims that are:

  • Monetary only: The claim must be for a specific sum of money in euros (Section 688(1) ZPO). Non-monetary claims (e.g., specific performance) cannot be pursued via Mahnverfahren.
  • Not dependent on a counter-performance: If your claim depends on you first performing some obligation, the Mahnverfahren is not available (Section 688(2) ZPO).
  • Uncontested: You expect the debtor will not dispute the claim. If they file a Widerspruch (objection), the case transfers to ordinary litigation.

Step-by-Step Filing Process

  1. Determine the competent court: The Mahngericht is always the Amtsgericht at the creditor\'s general place of jurisdiction (Section 689(2) ZPO), regardless of where the debtor lives. This centralization is a major convenience.
  2. Complete the application form: Most courts require the official form (Antrag auf Erlass eines Mahnbescheids). You can file online via the elektronisches Mahnverfahren portal (www.online-mahnantrag.de).
  3. Pay the court fee: The fee is 1.0 Gebühr according to No. 1100 KV GKG, calculated on the claim amount. For a claim of EUR 5,000, the fee is approximately EUR 66.
  4. Court issues the Mahnbescheid: The court issues the order ex parte (without hearing the debtor) within 1-3 weeks. The debtor has 14 days to file an objection (Widerspruch).
  5. Apply for Vollstreckungsbescheid: If the debtor does not object, you can apply for an enforceable execution order (Vollstreckungsbescheid) within 6 months. This is the equivalent of a final judgment.

What Happens If the Debtor Objects?

If the debtor files a Widerspruch within the 14-day period, the Mahnverfahren transitions into ordinary litigation (streitiges Verfahren) at the court designated by the claimant (Section 696 ZPO). The claimant must then substantiate their claim with full legal arguments and evidence. Many creditors use the Mahnverfahren as a filtering mechanism — if the debtor objects, they know litigation is necessary; if not, they get a cheap and fast enforceable title.

Costs and Fee Recovery

The court fee and any attorney fees are added to the Mahnbescheid and can be recovered from the debtor. Under the Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz (RVG), attorney fees for the Mahnverfahren are 1.0 Verfahrensgebühr (No. 3305 VV RVG). These costs are included in the Hauptforderung and are enforceable through the Vollstreckungsbescheid.