Vollstreckungsbescheid

Vollstreckungsbescheid is a court order in German civil procedure that enables immediate enforcement of a monetary claim. It serves as an enforceable title (Vollstreckungstitel) allowing a creditor to initiate compulsory collection measures without a separate full court judgment. In practice, it often follows the Mahnverfahren, where a creditor requests a Mahnbescheid from the local court; if the debtor does not object within a short deadline, the court issues the Vollstreckungsbescheid.

A central condition for issuing a Vollstreckungsbescheid is that the creditor holds a valid title to the claim, such as a court judgment, a notarial deed, a legally recognized settlement, or an undisputed payment title produced via the Mahnverfahren. The creditor must serve the Vollstreckungsbescheid on the debtor, who then typically has a two-week period to file a Widerspruch (objection). If no objection is raised, the Vollstreckungsbescheid becomes enforceable, and the creditor may pursue enforcement measures (for example seizure of assets, garnishment of wages, or account attachments) under the rules of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO).

If the debtor files a Widerspruch, the enforceability of the Vollstreckungsbescheid is suspended, and the creditor generally must pursue a regular lawsuit to obtain a final judgment. The proceedings then proceed as standard litigation, and only after a judgment can enforcement continue in the usual manner.

The Vollstreckungsbescheid is a fast-track enforcement instrument for monetary claims and is distinct from, yet closely related to, other title-driven instruments such as judgments, notarial deeds, and settlements. It is commonly used to obtain quick court-backed enforcement while preserving the debtor’s procedural rights in case of objection.