Better collection of fines thanks to automation

Bad collection of fines imposed by courts is a long-standing concern. To solve this, the government is currently implementing a 40-point plan.

Half of the points have already been achieved, the other half are being prepared. IT remains the biggest bottleneck. So the government is hard at work on a computer system that will automate collection.

Investing in computer systems

As of 2014, judges had imposed fines amounting to a total of EUR 256 million. Until now, only EUR 98 million has been paid. This amount can still increase because some of those convicted have a payment plan under which they are paying monthly over many years. This means there is still EUR 158 million or 60 percent that remains to be collected. The government will never be able to collect the full 100 percent, but 40 percent is simply not enough. By finally investing in computer systems, we will be able to increase that number significantly within the near future.