Fill and sign EPO Form A online
Applies for a European order for payment to collect an uncontested debt from someone in another EU country.
EPO Form A at a glance
- Official name
- Application for a European order for payment (Form A)
- Issued by
- European e-Justice Portal
- Country
- European Union
- Category
- Legal and powers of attorney
- Language
- All EU languages
- Who uses it
- Small businesses and freelancers owed money across borders.
- Signature
Check with the recipient
The claimant or their representative signs and dates the last page. Under Article 7(6) of Regulation 1896/2006, an application filed electronically must carry an electronic signature meeting EU rules, and only where the member state accepts electronic filing. On paper, sign by hand.
- Instructions
- Official European e-Justice Portal page
Form A is the application for a European order for payment, a simplified procedure for collecting uncontested cross-border money claims in civil and commercial matters. Small businesses and freelancers owed money by someone in another EU country use it. Open the official form from the European e-Justice Portal in BunnyDoc's free Sign PDF tool straight from this page, type into its fillable fields, add your signature and date, and download it. The PDF is handled in your browser and never leaves your device.
How to fill in and sign EPO Form A
Court and parties (sections 1 and 2)
Name the court and give the details of the claimant, the defendant and any representatives, using the party codes on the form.
Jurisdiction and cross-border nature (sections 3 and 4)
Choose the ground for the court's jurisdiction and show that at least one party lives in a different member state from the court. Claims against consumers go to the court of the consumer's home country.
Bank details (section 5)
Say how you will pay the court fee (5.1) and, optionally, where the defendant should pay (5.2). Check which payment methods the court accepts.
Principal, interest, penalties and costs (sections 6 to 9)
State the amount owed and its basis, the interest, any contractual penalties and the costs you claim.
Evidence and further statements (sections 10 and 11)
Describe the evidence that supports the claim and add any further statements.
Sign and lodge with the court
Sign and date the last page and lodge the form with the competent court on paper, or electronically where that country allows it. Use Appendix 2 to say what should happen if the defendant opposes.
What you need before you start
- The defendant's full name and address.
- The amount owed, due date and interest basis.
- A description of your evidence, such as contracts and invoices.
- The competent court and its accepted payment methods.
How the procedure works
The e-Justice Portal explains that the court should issue the order within 30 days of a correctly completed application. The defendant then has 30 days to oppose it. If they do, you can move the case to ordinary national proceedings or, from 14 July 2017, to the European Small Claims Procedure. If they do not, the order becomes enforceable in other member states.
The procedure does not apply to revenue, customs or administrative matters, among other exclusions in Regulation 1896/2006.
Can I sign Form A electronically?
Article 7(5) and (6) of the Regulation allow the application to be filed on paper or electronically, but only by means the member state accepts and the court can use. An electronic application must carry an electronic signature that meets EU rules. If you post the form, sign it by hand. For background, see what an electronic signature is.
EPO Form A: frequently asked questions
Is there a maximum amount for a European order for payment?
No. The procedure has no upper limit, but it is meant for claims the defendant does not contest.
How long does it take?
The court should issue the order within 30 days of a correct application, and the defendant has 30 days from service to oppose it.
What happens if the defendant opposes?
The case moves to ordinary civil proceedings in that country, or to the European Small Claims Procedure if you choose it, unless you ask for it to end.
Can I sign Form A electronically?
Only for electronic filing where the country accepts it, and then with an electronic signature meeting EU rules. For paper filing, sign by hand.
In which language do I fill it in?
In the language, or one of the languages, accepted by the court. The form is available in all EU languages.
Is BunnyDoc connected to the European e-Justice Portal?
No. BunnyDoc is not affiliated with the European Commission or the e-Justice Portal. We link to the official form and give you a free tool to fill and sign it in your browser.
BunnyDoc is not affiliated with European e-Justice Portal. Check that the recipient accepts electronic signatures.
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