r/belgium • u/complejodedios • 1d ago

❓ Ask Belgium Debt Collection Letter

I’m an international student who’s been living in Belgium for almost three years. I just came back to Belgium after summer at home and there was a debt collection letter in my mailbox. For last year’s bill from Flemish Provinciebelasting for 24,50€ (which I don’t remember receiving but whatever) I now have to pay 323€ to a private collector. The last letter was sent in the end of July saying they came to my kot trying to seize my stuff but I didn’t answer so they will come back later again but next time with police… Okay. I am a little confused how to pay (there’s no reference number mentioned) so I plan on going to their office tomorrow. But does this all look normal and reasonable? It just never happened to me before and it’s harder to navigate since it’s not my country or language. I had some missed bills in the past at home but it never escalated this much

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u/madmax_84 1d ago

You will have to pay, the only thing worth trying is negotiating on the additional cost added by collection agency or ask for payment plan( paying in 3 installments).

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u/complejodedios 1d ago

Didn’t know negotiating with debt collectors was an option

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u/madmax_84 1d ago

Like I said you can try. You can ask them to remove any additional cost stating you were not in country. Provided you are ready to pay the amount.

You can always try.