Debt from Netherlands - chances of county court judgement in UK?

Buster_Danog

I done something silly and traveled without travel insurance, which means I have been landed with a hospital bill for 900 euros. I received a letter threatening a debt collection agency if I did not settle in full in the next few days.

I have only been able to pay half today, but am concerned about the European small claims court, or the debt being sold to a UK agency if I don't settle in full in the next few weeks, although that is going to be difficult.

Anyway, my question is what are the chances that even if the hospital did use a debt collection agency who brought the case to the European small claims court, that this would turn into a CCJ judement against me in the UK at any point?

I understand that the european court judgement has no jurisdiction unless it is then brought through a county court in the UK. I am concerned that this could happen and that costs would be added if the CCJ judgement in the UK was awarded against me. The outstanding amount is a little under 450 euros.

CKhalvashi

Pay a little every month (I'd use Transferwise/a specialist CC), and there's a lot less chance of any court action happening.

sourcrates

Most creditors threaten court action, can't tell you if they wil pursue this or not, only they know that.

Either do as advised above, or chance your arm.

Do they know your uk address ?

If not they can't do much of anything.

iolanthe07

Didn't you have the European Health Insurance card? This offers reciprocal treatment within the EEA and is free. That should have covered your hospital treatment in the Netherlands.

barbarawright

Yes, and most EU hospitals will fill the form out for you if you don't have a card. They know who it's easier to reclaim money from!

Buster_Danog

No, I didn't have the card, but it would not have mattered as the hospital I ended up in was a private hospital and I was told that without insurance I would be charged. I don't want to mention the hospital or what treatment I had here, but the EHIC would have made no difference.

Yes, I gave them my address, but the only I.D I had with me at the time had an old address on it. I guess nobody seems to know because this isn't a common situation. Having a foreign debt for a few hundred euros, pursued through a county court or handed to a UK debt collection agency probably does not happen often.

I don't know how much exactly would be added to the debt if it went through the county court in the UK. I think the hospital will add 130 euros to the bill if they have to use a debt collection agency in the Netherlands.

National_Debtline

Hi Buster


There would be nothing stopping the hospital from trying to enforce the debt through the UK courts in theory, though in all likelihood the relatively modest size of the debt will persuade them that it is more economical to seek an informal repayment proposal from you. Passing the debt to a UK debt collection agency would not in itself give the debt any greater legal status - it is just considered a more practical approach.


It's hard to say precisely what costs would be added in the event of UK court action, though as a general rule such costs will be proportionate to the size of the debt. As stated above, I think it's unlikely to come to that if you make a proposal to pay this off at an affordable rate.


Dennis
@natdebtline

Buster_Danog

Hi Dennis, just on the first point my concern was firstly that a debt recovery agency in the UK could somehow put the debt onto my credit rating and affect my credit score.

Secondly, would a UK debt collection company likely take a debt of 450 euros through a county court and get a judgement against me in the UK?

As I say I am going to try and pay more off but I can't do this quickly, and I am trying to anticipate the worst just in case.

barbarawright

Is there any reason why you shouldn't pay up for non-emergency treatment?

Buster_Danog

barbarawright wrote: »

Is there any reason why you shouldn't pay up for non-emergency treatment?

Is there any reason why you should type inane messages to a stranger?

First of all it was emergency treatment. Secondly, if you had read what I typed above you would see I paid half, but cannot pay the rest before the time limit they notified me of in the letter.

Thrugelmir

Buster_Danog wrote: »

Secondly, if you had read what I typed above you would see I paid half, but cannot pay the rest before the time limit they notified me of in the letter.

Then make a proposal to settle the balance.