Compensation fee (kompensationsgebyr)
Also known as fixed compensation, late payment compensation, kompensationsgebyr, kompensationsbeløb, 310 kr.-gebyret, fast kompensation
The compensation fee is a fixed amount of 310 kr. that a business creditor may claim from a business debtor on late payment.
In practice
The compensation fee derives from the EU directive on combating late payment in commercial transactions, and it exists only between businesses. It cannot be charged to a consumer.
It is a fixed amount per claim — not per reminder. It is triggered by the payment being late, and it does not require you to have incurred a documented cost. It comes on top of the reminder fee, not instead of it.
For a business with many small B2B invoices this is not small change: 310 kr. per late invoice is often more than the reminder fees put together.
Where it commonly goes wrong
- The fee is charged to consumers. That is unlawful, and a clear breach of good collection practice.
- It is charged more than once on the same claim. One claim, one compensation fee — however many reminders are sent.
- It is not charged at all. The great majority of B2B creditors forget it. This is money you are entitled to.