Paying your debt
Payment time
Debts that enter enforcement proceedings must be paid by the date stated on the demand for payment. If the debtor has not paid the debt by the due date of the demand for payment, the enforcement authority will take measures to search for and distrain the debtor’s assets.
For special reasons, the enforcement officer may grant an extension of at the most three months to the payment time on the request of the debtor. If the debt concerns a child maintenance payment, no extension may be granted to the payment time.
Payment schedule
The enforcement officer may, subject to their discretion, set up a payment schedule for the debtor in place of garnishing their pay or business income. The payment schedule is set up for the same amount as the garnishment of wages or business income. Where applicable, the payment schedule is subject to the same rules for granting relief as garnishment.
Tax refunds can be garnished regardless of payment schedules. In addition to preparing a payment schedule, protective distraint may be carried out to assure adherence to the schedule. Distrained assets will only be sold if the debtor fails to repay the debt in the agreed schedule. The distraint will be cancelled and the assets will be returned to the debtor upon repayment of the debt. If the debtor fails to adhere to the payment plan, the plan will lapse and the debtor’s pay or business income will be garnished or the distrained assets will be sold.
Payment agreement
The enforcement officer may also garnish pay or business income according to a written agreement between the creditor and debtor. The agreement can restrict the amount and duration of the garnishment and specify how the debtor’s assets will be allocated to the creditor’s receivables.
Instead of garnishing the debtor’s pay, the enforcement officer may allow the debtor to make the payments under the agreement to the enforcement officer. The agreement will be secured with a protective distraint if necessary.
Look at bank accounts of the National Enforcement Authority of Finland.
Paying your debt through the electronic enforcement service
If your debt is in enforcement, you can also make payments on it through our electronic service.
Paytrail Oyj, the payment service provider for our electronic service, handles the payment transactions. The paid sum is first transferred to Paytrail, which then remits it to National Enforcement Authority Finland. It will take approximately 2–4 business days to process your payment. Please note that Paytrail Oyj will be indicated as the recipient on your bank statement, with Paytrail’s reference as the payment reference. It is not possible to make new payments on your debt with these reference or bank account details in your online bank, so do not copy them.