Customers don’t need to pay Klarna? Court ruling waives debt collection fees – complete guide

It sounds almost too good to be true: customers don't need to pay Klarna. Yet that's exactly what a recent court ruling means in practice for thousands of Dutch consumers who once faced debt collection fees from the Swedish payment service. The Central Netherlands District Court ruled that Klarna wasn't transparent about its business model, and in effect was providing consumer credit without complying with legal requirements.

Why the court says customers don't have to pay Klarna

The heart of the case lies in how Klarna makes money from buy now, pay later. As long as a payment service stays free, there's no problem. But once fees are charged – such as debt collection costs – European courts treat that as paid credit. And then strict rules apply: a mandatory creditworthiness check, clear information about costs, and the warning that 'borrowing money costs money'.

Klarna didn't meet these requirements. The court found that the company couldn't prove its debt collection fees were only cost‑covering and not part of its profit model. Because consumer protection laws apply to a consumer credit agreement, the judge ruled that the customer did not have to pay the claimed interest and debt collection fees.

Which costs you can claim back (and which you can't)

Let's be clear: you still have to pay the original purchase amount. That's not in question. But all those extra fees Klarna charged because you were late? In many cases, you can ignore them or claim them back. Here's what you need to know:

• Debt collection fees – Klarna can no longer charge these as long as it doesn't comply with credit rules. Already paid them? You can ask for a refund.
• Interest – Interest on overdue payments falls under the same ruling. Don't pay it.
• Reminder fees – The first reminder is free, but Klarna often adds fees after that. Those are now legally shaky too.
• The original amount – This is still owed. The ruling only covers penalties and extra charges.

An important note: the ruling officially applies only to the Central Netherlands region. Other courts may decide differently. However, this ruling carries weight, and it's expected that other judges will take it into account.

How to use this ruling in your situation

Left a Klarna review about excessive fees? Or are you facing a payment overdue yourself? This is your customers don't need to pay Klarna guide for real life:

Step 1 is to check whether your situation falls under the ruling. It applies to cases where Klarna charged debt collection fees or interest on buy now, pay later transactions. Step 2: refuse to pay these extra fees. You can tell Klarna you're referring to the Central Netherlands District Court ruling. Step 3: already paid? Then file a formal complaint with Klarna to get your money back. Debt counsellors advise weighing up each case – for high fees or a 100% arrangement, it's quickly worth the effort.

Meanwhile, Klarna is trying to defend itself. The company says it doesn't make money from debt collection fees – in fact, it claims those fees cost it money. The numbers are telling: Klarna says that for every €100 in late‑payment fees, it spends about €126 on collections and credit losses. But the court wasn't convinced, and the financial complaints body also found that Klarna seriously breached the rules.

What does this mean for new purchases with Klarna?

Klarna has now obtained a licence for debt collection activities in the Netherlands. That sounds like the company is finally playing by the rules. Yet the story isn't over. The core question – whether 'buy now, pay later' should be treated as credit – remains unresolved.

From November 2026, stricter European rules will apply to Buy Now, Pay Later services. Credit checks and age verification will become mandatory. Until then, we're in a grey area. One consumer watchdog has warned, for example, about the new Klarna payment card, which lets you pay later even in physical shops. They think this is undesirable because it lowers the barrier to debt even further.

One thing is clear: the days when Klarna could freely charge high debt collection fees are over. This ruling gives consumers a powerful tool. And want to know how to use customers don't need to pay Klarna in practice? The answer is simple: refuse the extra charges, refer to the ruling, and pay only what you owe for the purchase itself.

Keep in mind that Klarna can report payment defaults to credit bureaus. That won't affect your credit file for now, but it's something to watch. My advice: pay on time if you can, but don't be intimidated by unfair fees.