If you are owed money in Ireland — unpaid invoices, loans that are never repaid or rent arrears — selling the debt is one of the quickest ways to recover part of your money without spending years chasing it through the courts. In this guide we explain, step by step, how debt sales work in Ireland.
What does selling a debt mean?
Selling a debt means assigning your right to collect it to a third party (the buyer or investor) in exchange for an agreed price, always below the face value of the debt. Under Irish law this is done through an assignment of debt, a well-established mechanism recognised by the courts, provided written notice is given to the debtor.
The original creditor receives immediate payment from the buyer and stops owning the receivable. From that moment, the new owner is the party entitled to collect from the debtor.
Step 1: check that your debt can be sold
- You must be the legitimate owner of the receivable.
- The debt must be due and payable: you cannot sell debts still within their agreed payment terms.
- It must be a provable money debt: invoices, contracts, court judgments or a written acknowledgement of the debt.
Step 2: gather your documentation
The more documentation you have, the more attractive your debt is to buyers: invoices and delivery dockets, signed contracts, letters of demand, emails, and of course a Circuit Court or District Court judgment if you have already been to court. You can read about the money-claim process on the official Courts Service of Ireland website.
Step 3: set a realistic sale price
The price depends on the age of the debt, the debtor's solvency and the paperwork available. As a general rule we recommend a minimum discount of 20% on the face value so the deal is worthwhile for investors. Older or harder-to-collect debts usually need bigger discounts.
Step 4: list your debt where the buyers are
Debtalia is a marketplace that connects sellers with buyers directly — Debtalia does not buy your debt itself. You list your debt or portfolio in minutes, the listing is anonymous, and there is no commission on the sale. Your listing becomes visible to investors, solicitors and funds looking to buy debt every day.
Step 5: negotiate and sign the assignment
When an investor is interested, they contact you directly by email. Once the price is agreed, a deed of assignment is signed and the buyer pays you the agreed amount. The debtor must then be notified in writing that the debt has been assigned, so they know to pay the new creditor.
How long does it take?
Listing is immediate. How quickly you receive offers depends on how attractive your price is and the type of debt: well-documented debts at a fair discount usually generate interest within days or weeks.
Conclusion
Selling a debt is a legal, safe and quick process that gives you immediate liquidity without the cost and uncertainty of litigation. If you are owed money, don't write it off — put it up for sale and let the market work for you.
