You have an overdue invoice. Silence — the counterparty does not respond, does not pay. What next? Below is a simple 14-day plan you can run yourself — or, if you prefer, let the Recover Debt Online service handle it for you.
The 14-day action plan
Day 1 — quick "ping"
Send a short email/SMS:
"Hi, invoice no. X dated Y shows an outstanding balance of Z PLN. Please confirm the payment date by [date]."
Attach the bank account number and the invoice PDF.
What is the goal here? Rule out simple causes of delay (wrong email, typo in the account number, the counterparty "overlooking" the invoice).
Day 3 — reminder with specifics
Email + SMS. Add information about statutory interest and the 40/70/100 EUR flat-rate recovery fee (B2B), along with a notice that more decisive action will follow if there is no response. You may indicate that if payment is made within 3 days, you will waive the interest and the 40/70/100 EUR flat-rate fee.
Day 7 — formal demand for payment
A PDF headed "Demand for payment" (Wezwanie do zapłaty), with a 3–5 day deadline and clear consequences: interest, the flat-rate fee, and forwarding the debtor's data to BIG (e.g. BIG InfoMonitor). Send by email and by registered post (or to the counterparty's e-delivery mailbox if they have one).
Day 10 — phone call
Ask directly: "How much, and when, can you realistically pay?" Capture the declaration in writing or by email — ideally from someone authorised to represent the counterparty's company.
Day 14 — decision: "pressure or pause"
If it is still silent, you can publish the listing on the debt exchange, which means information about your counterparty's debt will start appearing in internet search results.
After 30 days from the paper demand letter, you can enter the counterparty into BIG. If you do not want to sign your own contract with BIG and pay their subscription, we can make the entry on your behalf.
A note on the statute of limitations: once the debt is time-barred you do not go to court (the debtor will win with a limitation defence), but pre-court actions and the BIG entry remain legal and are often effective. More in our article about a time-barred invoice.
Which path makes sense, and when?
- Small amount / simple mistake → ping + reminder + quick phone call.
- Medium or large amount → demand letter + hard deadline + instalment option.
- Debtor is silent / you meet the conditions → BIG entry.
Important! If the debtor disputes the existence or the amount of the debt (a substantive dispute) — first work to clarify the case and understand the counterparty's position — establish why they will not pay.
A BIG entry on a disputed debt is possible — it just has to include the note that the debtor disputes the debt.
Myths vs. facts
- "Once time-barred, the debt disappears" → Myth. The debt exists (as a natural obligation), but you cannot enforce it through the courts.
- "You cannot remind the debtor once it is time-barred" → Myth. You can, provided it is fair, respects good practice and the principles of social conduct, and does not mislead.
Legal basis and source materials
- Polish Civil Code — Art. 117–125 (limitation periods) and Art. 481 (interest for late payment)
- Polish Act on Counteracting Excessive Delays in Commercial Transactions (the "anti-gridlock" act)
- Polish Act on Provision of Economic Information and Exchange of Economic Data — Art. 15 (BIG: conditions for transferring data on a non-consumer debtor)