How to Deal With a Debt Collector in Ireland: Your Rights Explained (2026)
Last updated 9 October 2026. General information only, not legal advice.
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.
Key points
- Harassing someone about a debt, including by phone, is an offence under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
- Regulated lenders and credit firms must follow the Central Bank of Ireland’s Consumer Protection Code; a revised version came into force on 24 March 2026.
- Most simple contract debts have a 6-year limitation period, but you generally have to raise it yourself as a defence, and the debt itself still exists.
- MABS offers free, confidential help with debt on 0818 07 2000.
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 may be unable to obtain a court order if you raise the defence, 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, find 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 MABS for free advice, or report harassment to An Garda Síochána
- Take legal advice about potential remedies including restraining orders
Statute-Barred Debts: What the Time Limit Does and Does Not Mean
The 6-year limit comes from section 11(1)(a) of the Statute of Limitations 1957, which covers actions founded on simple contract. According to Citizens Information, if a creditor does not act within the limitation period, the court may treat the action as statute-barred, but you have to raise this defence yourself and succeed. The debt still exists even if the creditor can no longer force payment through the courts. MABS recommends getting legal advice if you think a debt may be statute-barred. If you have received court papers, see our guide to what to do with a legal letter.
Free Help and Where to Complain
- MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service) gives free, confidential advice on 0818 07 2000.
- Central Bank of Ireland: for financial services complaints, the Central Bank Public Helpline is 1890 777 777 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 18:00, as listed by MABS).
- Gardaí: MABS says harassment, or false claims that a collector can enforce payment or that criminal proceedings have begun, is a matter for legal advice or a Garda report.
If the debt is larger or you are considering a formal arrangement, see our guide to Irish debt options. If you are behind on a mortgage, see mortgage arrears options.
Frequently asked questions
Can a debt collector contact me as often as they like?
No. MABS explains that the Consumer Protection Code requires contact from regulated lenders to be reasonable and not excessive, and that harassment, including by phone, is an offence under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
Do I have to pay a debt that is statute-barred?
The debt still exists, but if the 6-year limitation period has run, the creditor may be unable to obtain a court order if you raise the defence. Do not assume a debt is statute-barred without checking; MABS recommends legal advice if you are unsure.
Does the Consumer Protection Code apply to every debt collector?
It applies to regulated financial service providers. The revised Code came into force on 24 March 2026. If you are unsure whether a firm is regulated, check the Central Bank of Ireland’s register or call its public helpline.
Where can I get free help with debt?
MABS offers free, confidential advice on 0818 07 2000 or at helpline@mabs.ie.
Need legal advice about a debt you are being pursued for? We are not a solicitor’s practice, so find a regulated solicitor through the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory, or join our no-fee solicitor service waiting list. 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.
Need help with this? Work of this kind is carried out by a solicitor regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. We are not a solicitor’s practice and do not provide it — to instruct a solicitor, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.Conveyancing · Talk to a Property Solicitor.
