How to Deal With a Debt Collector in Ireland: Your Rights Explained (2025)
Receiving a letter or call from a debt collector is stressful. But it is important to understand that debt collectors in Ireland operate within strict legal limits — and you have significant rights. This guide explains what debt collectors can and cannot do in Ireland, and what steps to take if you are being pursued for a debt.
Who Are Debt Collectors in Ireland?
Debt collectors in Ireland include solicitors acting on behalf of creditors, licensed debt collection agencies, and in-house collection teams. Any firm engaged in debt collection must be authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland if they are operating as a regulated firm, and must comply with the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code.
What Debt Collectors Can Do
- Contact you by letter, email, or phone to request payment
- Send formal demands and letters before action
- Initiate legal proceedings in the appropriate court to obtain judgment
- Once they have a court judgment, apply for enforcement measures including attachment of earnings or instalment orders
What Debt Collectors Cannot Do
Under the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code and general Irish law, debt collectors are prohibited from:
- Contacting you at unreasonable hours
- Using threatening, abusive, or intimidating language or behaviour
- Misrepresenting the nature of the debt or the legal consequences of non-payment
- Claiming to have legal powers or authority they do not have
- Contacting your employer, family members, or neighbours about your debt without your consent (except in very limited circumstances)
- Making false statements about the amount owed
- Pursuing a debt they know to be statute-barred (more than 6 years old for most debts)
The Statute of Limitations on Debt
Under the Statute of Limitations Act 1957, most simple contract debts in Ireland become statute-barred after 6 years from the date the debt became due (or the last payment/acknowledgement of the debt). Once statute-barred, the creditor cannot successfully sue for recovery, though they may still contact you requesting payment. If you are being pursued for an old debt, check whether it is statute-barred before responding.
What to Do If You Are Contacted by a Debt Collector
- Don’t ignore it — ignoring a genuine debt does not make it go away and may result in court proceedings
- Verify the debt — request written confirmation of the debt, who the original creditor is, and the amount claimed
- Check the limitation period — is the debt more than 6 years old?
- Dispute any inaccuracies — if you believe the amount is wrong or the debt is not yours, dispute it in writing immediately
- Get legal advice — if you are facing court proceedings or significant sums, speak to a solicitor before responding
- Consider your options — depending on your circumstances, negotiated settlement, a debt arrangement, or personal insolvency may be worth exploring
What If a Debt Collector Is Harassing You?
If a debt collector is using intimidating, threatening, or harassing tactics, you can:
- Complain to the Central Bank of Ireland if the collector is a regulated entity
- Contact the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)
- Take legal advice about potential remedies including restraining orders
Need legal advice about a debt you are being pursued for? Book a 30-minute consultation with one of our solicitors. If you are owed money and need to recover it, see our Debt Collection Letter service.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
