- Price
- €17.95incl. VAT, 2 pages included
- Delivery time
- Next business dayusually, after handover to the post
- Proof
- Recipient's signature+ tracking and proof of posting
- Handed to the post
- Upload by 15:00on a working day, posted the same day
- Counts as
- Domestic registered mailprinted and posted in Netherlands
Does the 14-day letter have to go by registered mail?
No. The law does not require a registered letter. An ordinary letter or an email is allowed. But you must be able to prove the consumer received it.
Courts check this. In 2024 the Rotterdam district court refused collection costs because it was not established that the consumer had received the reminder; sending it to the right address was not enough. A registered letter with a signature gives you that proof, and the date of receipt.
How does the period run?
| Step | When |
|---|---|
| 14-day letter | After the invoice due date |
| 14-day payment period | Starts the day after the letter is received |
| Charging collection costs | Only if there is no payment after those 14 days |
| Maximum costs | 15% of the first 2,500 euros, at least 40 euros |
With registered mail you see the date of receipt, and so the day the 14 days start.
How to send the letter
- Fill in the sampleWith invoice, amount, deadline and the costs of late payment.
- Save it as a PDFWith the consumer's address in the window.
- Upload the PDFBy 15:00 on a working day it goes to PostNL the same day.
- Keep the proofTracking number and proof PDF with the recipient's signature.
Sample letter
In Dutch, the language your customer reads.
Onderwerp: aanmaning factuur [nummer]
Geachte [naam],
Op [datum] stuurden wij u factuur [nummer] van [bedrag]. Die is nog niet betaald.
Wij vragen u het bedrag binnen veertien dagen na de dag van ontvangst van deze brief te betalen op [rekeningnummer], onder vermelding van [kenmerk].
Betaalt u niet binnen deze termijn, dan brengen wij [bedrag] aan incassokosten in rekening.
Met vriendelijke groet,
[naam bedrijf]
What to watch
- State the exact amount of collection costs that follows if the consumer does not pay.
- The 14-day letter applies to consumers only. For a business customer, a reminder with proof of receipt works as a notice of default.
- If the consumer does not collect the letter, keep the PostNL record. Send the same text by email too.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 14-day letter mandatory?
Yes, before you charge a consumer collection costs (article 6:96 (6) Dutch Civil Code).
Does the 14-day letter have to be registered?
No. But you must prove the consumer received it. Registered mail gives that proof with a signature.
When does the 14-day period start?
On the day after the letter is received.
What if I cannot prove receipt?
A court can refuse the collection costs, as the Rotterdam district court did in 2024.
Does the 14-day letter apply to businesses?
No. The law only requires it for consumers.