Vollrang

Vollrang is a German-language term used in finance and law to denote top-priority status in the hierarchy of creditor claims. The word combines voll (full) and Rang (rank), and the related adjective vollrangig describes claims or instruments that have this high-priority status. In insolvency or liquidation proceedings, vollrangige Forderungen typically have priority over other, lower-ranked claims when the debtor’s assets are distributed. The exact scope and ranking of vollrang claims vary by jurisdiction and by the type of proceeding.

In practice, the concept is used to distinguish certain senior or secured claims from subordinated or unsecured ones. Jurisdictional differences affect which claims are treated as vollrang and how the payment order is applied. The term is common in discussions of insolvency practice in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and it also appears in corporate finance literature when describing the relative rights of different creditor classes.

The notion of vollrang contrasts with nachrangige Forderungen, which are subordinated and thus paid after vollrang claims in the distribution of assets. While often associated with legal and financial contexts, the exact meaning and implications of vollrang depend on the applicable laws, contractual terms, and the specific instruments involved.