What is a Vollstreckungsbescheid?
Court enforcement order.
A default judgment allowing immediate enforcement — act within 14 days or the bailiff arrives.
Definition
A Vollstreckungsbescheid is a court enforcement order issued by the Amtsgericht when a creditor's Mahnbescheid went unobjected. Under § 700 ZPO, it has the same legal effect as a judgment: the creditor can immediately instruct a Gerichtsvollzieher (bailiff) to collect the debt by seizing assets, garnishing wages, or levying bank accounts. You still have 14 days from delivery to file an Einspruch — but enforcement may begin before your challenge is resolved.
Who sends it
The Amtsgericht acting as Vollstreckungsgericht. The creditor is also named. Delivery is by Postzustellungsurkunde. The document carries a "Vollstreckungsbescheid" heading and states the exact amount including court costs and interest.
What it’s asking for
Immediate payment of the total amount, or an Einspruch within 14 days of delivery. Filing an Einspruch does not automatically suspend enforcement.
Your deadline
Typical next steps
- Act immediately — enforcement can begin the same day a bailiff receives the order.
- If you have not yet paid or filed a Widerspruch, file an Einspruch against the Vollstreckungsbescheid now.
- Simultaneously apply to the court for Aussetzung der Vollstreckung (suspension of enforcement) to stop the bailiff while your Einspruch is processed.
- If the debt is legitimate, pay the stated total immediately to avoid additional enforcement costs.
- Consult a Rechtsanwalt if the amount is significant — enforcement costs escalate quickly.
Stated consequences under German law
The Gerichtsvollzieher can seize movable assets from your home, garnish wages (Lohnpfändung) through your employer, or levy your bank accounts (Kontopfändung). Wage and bank garnishment can continue for years. The order also appears in credit registers, affecting your ability to open accounts or sign rental contracts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still challenge a Vollstreckungsbescheid?
Yes — within 14 days of delivery via Einspruch (§ 700 abs. 1 ZPO). This reopens the underlying dispute and requires the creditor to prove the claim in court. However, enforcement is not automatically suspended — you must separately request Aussetzung der Vollstreckung.
What is a Kontopfändung?
A Kontopfändung is a bank account levy ordered by the court. The bank must freeze funds up to the owed amount. Ask your bank to convert your account to a Pfändungsschutzkonto (P-Konto) immediately — it protects a basic monthly amount from seizure.
What is Lohnpfändung?
Lohnpfändung is wage garnishment — the court orders your employer to withhold a portion of your salary and pay it directly to the creditor. German law protects a monthly Pfändungsfreigrenze (exemption threshold) that varies by family situation; amounts above the threshold can be seized.
I missed the 14-day window. Is there anything I can do?
You can apply for Wiedereinsetzung in den vorigen Stand (reinstatement) if you can show you missed the deadline through no fault of your own. This requires a written application within two weeks of learning about the missed deadline. Consult a lawyer immediately.
How does Aplet help with a Vollstreckungsbescheid?
Aplet identifies this as the most urgent letter type in the German legal system, extracts the stated amount, the delivery date, and the 14-day Einspruch window, and explains the enforcement mechanism clearly. It flags that enforcement can start immediately and that you should seek legal advice the same day.
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Get yours explained in 60 seconds
Aplet reads German Amtsdeutsch — the dense, formal bureaucratic register — and returns a plain-English summary with the sender, meaning, required action, deadline, and consequences of inaction.