Eintreiben

Eintreiben is a German verb that means to demand and collect money owed, i.e., to enforce payment of a debt. It is used in everyday language and in legal or business contexts to describe the process of obtaining what is legally due from a debtor. The term can refer to private individuals, companies, banks, and other creditors seeking repayment.

In common usage, Eintreiben begins with informal steps such as reminders or calls, followed by more formal actions if payment remains outstanding. In a legal context, a creditor may initiate a court process to obtain a binding title to enforce the claim. This can involve a court order (Mahnbescheid) and, if necessary, the formal enforcement of the claim (Vollstreckung) through instruments such as wage garnishment or seizure of assets (Pfändung), typically carried out by a court bailiff (Gerichtsvollzieher). Alternative channels include private debt-collection agencies (Inkasso) that attempt to recover funds under applicable laws and regulations.

The legal framework surrounding Eintreiben in Germany is mainly governed by civil procedure and civil law. The Code of Civil Procedure (Zivilprozessordnung, ZPO) and the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) set rules for pursuing claims, while consumer protection and competition law influence how collection activities may be conducted to prevent abusive practices. The process aims to balance the creditor’s right to recover owed money with the debtor’s rights and remedies.

Eintreiben thus describes both informal, voluntary payment requests and formal, legally sanctioned collection actions designed to secure payment of debts.