How to Enter Debt Restructuring (WSNP) in the Netherlands

The short answer

The path to debt restructuring in the Netherlands always goes through municipal debt assistance services. They must first try to make an amicable arrangement with your creditors together with you. Only if this fails within a reasonable timeframe can they submit a request to the court on your behalf for admission to the WSNP (Wet schuldsanering natuurlijke personen). The judge then assesses whether you meet all conditions for debt restructuring under Dutch law. Upon approval, you get three years to pay off as much as possible, after which your remaining debt is written off.

What does Dutch law say?

The Dutch Natural Persons Debt Restructuring Act (Wet schuldsanering natuurlijke personen - WSNP) regulates how you can be admitted to debt restructuring. The law sets clear conditions: you must have a problematic debt situation, there must be no prospect of improvement, and an amicable settlement must have failed or be hopeless. Only the municipality can submit a request, not you directly. The judge strictly tests whether all conditions are met before admission is granted.

What should you watch out for?

Bear in mind that debt restructuring in the Netherlands is not a quick fix - the entire process can take years. You must be willing to cooperate fully and declare all income honestly. During the restructuring period, you have little financial freedom and are under strict supervision of an administrator (bewindvoerder). It's also important to know that not all debts are written off in the WSNP.

Example from practice

Marie has €45,000 in debts due to illness and unemployment. She contacts her municipality's debt assistance services. The advisor tries for six months to reach an amicable settlement with her creditors, but they refuse to cooperate with a payment plan. Therefore, the municipality submits a WSNP request to the court. After three months, Marie is admitted to debt restructuring. For three years, she pays €150 monthly through the administrator, after which her remaining debt of €39,600 is written off.

What can you do?

Start as soon as possible with these concrete steps to get help with your debts.