📬 Payment order and enforcement order

Which two weeks you have for objection and appeal, and what happens if you do nothing.

payment order enforcement order objection appeal (Einspruch) service of documents payment order procedure

In brief

A payment order (Mahnbescheid) is a letter from the Amtsgericht (local court), in a yellow envelope. It says: someone claims you owe money. The court does not check the claim.

You have two weeks from service to tell the court whether you object. If you do nothing, the creditor can apply for an enforcement order (Vollstreckungsbescheid). You then have another two weeks to file an appeal (Einspruch).

Only pay if the claim is justified. If in doubt, get advice.

Step by step

Note the date of serviceThe deadline starts with service of the document, not with the date on the letter.
Check the claimAre the amount, creditor, invoice basis and additional costs correct?
File an objection if necessaryUse the enclosed form, in full or in part.
Use adviceDebt or consumer counselling can clarify whether an objection makes sense.

Deadlines

2 weeks

Objection to the payment order, from service.§ 692 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 ZPO

2 weeks (peremptory period)

Appeal (Einspruch) against the enforcement order, from service. It is equivalent to a default judgment (§ 700 Abs. 1 ZPO); the appeal period is a peremptory period (Notfrist).§ 339 Abs. 1 ZPO; § 700 Abs. 1 ZPO

Watch out – common mistakes

Without objection and appeal, the enforcement order becomes an enforceable title; after that, garnishment is possible.
Claims established with final effect and enforceable titles only become time-barred after 30 years (§ 197 Abs. 1 Nr. 3–6 BGB).
In the payment order procedure the court does not check whether the claim is justified.
The appeal period is a peremptory period; a missed deadline can hardly be remedied afterwards.

In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Objection

The payment order contains a request to tell the court, within two weeks of service, whether and to what extent the claim is contested (§ 692 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 ZPO).

Appeal (Einspruch)

Under § 339 Abs. 1 ZPO the appeal period is two weeks, is a peremptory period and starts with service. The enforcement order is equivalent to a default judgment declared provisionally enforceable (§ 700 Abs. 1 ZPO); the same appeal period therefore applies.

Consequences

An enforcement order permits compulsory enforcement. Claims backed by a title become time-barred after 30 years (§ 197 Abs. 1 Nr. 3–6 BGB).

Who is responsible

Amtsgericht / central payment order court (sender of the notice)
Debt or consumer counselling

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Payment order and enforcement order“?

Which two weeks you have for objection and appeal, and what happens if you do nothing.

Which deadlines and figures matter?

2 weeks: Objection to the payment order, from service. (§ 692 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 ZPO)
2 weeks (peremptory period): Appeal (Einspruch) against the enforcement order, from service. It is equivalent to a default judgment (§ 700 Abs. 1 ZPO); the appeal period is a peremptory period (Notfrist). (§ 339 Abs. 1 ZPO; § 700 Abs. 1 ZPO)

What should I do first?

Note the date of service: The deadline starts with service of the document, not with the date on the letter.
Check the claim: Are the amount, creditor, invoice basis and additional costs correct?
File an objection if necessary: Use the enclosed form, in full or in part.

What do I need to watch out for?

Without objection and appeal, the enforcement order becomes an enforceable title; after that, garnishment is possible.
Claims established with final effect and enforceable titles only become time-barred after 30 years (§ 197 Abs. 1 Nr. 3–6 BGB).
In the payment order procedure the court does not check whether the claim is justified.

Evidence

Gesetze im Internet, ZPO § 692, retrieved 20 September 2026
Gesetze im Internet, ZPO § 339, retrieved 20 September 2026
Gesetze im Internet, ZPO § 700, BGB § 197, retrieved 20 September 2026

As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

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