What a case costs
The fees and interest that can be added, and why
Where the costs come from
When an invoice is not paid on time, Danish law allows the creditor to add certain fees and interest. Those amounts are set by legislation, not by us, and there is a ceiling on each of them.
This page explains what can legitimately appear on a letter from Capison. If you have been charged something that is not on this list, ask us about it.
The statutory maximums
These are the current maximum amounts under the Danish Interest Act. A case will not always carry all of them.
| Charge | Maximum |
|---|---|
| Reminder feeUp to three reminders, each at least 10 days apart. | DKK 100 per reminder |
| Collection feeCharged once, when the case is passed to a collection agency or a lawyer. | DKK 100 |
| Compensation feeBusiness debtors only. It can never be charged to a private individual. | DKK 310 |
| Default interestRuns from the due date until the debt is paid. | See below |
| Court costsOnly if the case goes to court, and only once it does. | Set by the court |
Default interest
Default interest is the official reference rate plus a statutory supplement, calculated on the unpaid amount from the due date until it is paid. The reference rate is reset twice a year, so the exact percentage depends on when the debt fell due. Ask us and we will show you the calculation on your case.
If you are a private individual
Consumers have protections a business debtor does not, and they apply automatically.
- The DKK 310 compensation fee cannot be charged to you at all.
- An agreement to pay by instalments cannot carry fees beyond what the law allows.
- Terms agreed in advance that put you in a worse position than the law does are not binding on you.
- If you are unsure whether a charge is lawful, ask. Free public debt counselling is available in Denmark and can check it for you.
Keeping the cost down
The costs on a case are largely a function of how long it runs. Acting early is the only reliable way to keep them small.
- Pay or make contact before the deadline on the letter. Fees escalate in steps, not continuously.
- If you cannot pay in full, ask for an instalment plan rather than letting the case age.
- If you dispute the claim, say so early. A dispute raised at the start costs far less than one raised after a court filing.
- Keep us informed if your situation changes. Cases only get expensive when they go quiet.
This page is general information about Danish rules, not legal advice on your specific case, and the statutory amounts change from time to time. The letter you received is what governs your case. If the two ever disagree, ask us and we will explain the difference.