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Debt Restructuring and Binding Decisions for the Financial Commissioner

Published March 23, 2026, 17:14
Debt Restructuring and Binding Decisions for the Financial Commissioner

The bill discussed in the Parliamentary Committee on Finance introduces significant changes to the foreclosure framework and the operation of the Financial Commissioner. A key provision is the possibility of debt restructuring during the foreclosure process, subject to certain conditions, such as the protection of primary residences valued up to €350,000 and the absence of a court decision. In the event of a disagreement between debtor and creditor regarding the repayment method, a 15-day period is provided for them to reach an agreement, while in the absence of an agreement, the foreclosure is suspended for 30 days, giving the debtor the opportunity to appeal to an insolvency advisor to find a viable solution. Furthermore, the bill makes the decisions of the Financial Commissioner binding for disputes up to €20,000, meaning that financial companies will be obliged to comply with them. Currently, these decisions are not necessarily enforceable. This regulation is expected to strengthen the appeal to the Financial Commissioner, as well as allow the publication of the names of companies that do not comply with its decisions. According to the Ministry of Finance, the new legislation aims to activate both parties to use the existing institution of the Financial Commissioner. The binding nature of the decisions will strengthen the appeal to the Commissioner, offering a more effective outlet for resolving disputes. However, during the discussion of the bill, representatives of the financial sector expressed concerns about the deadlines provided, while the Committee decided to return the text to the Ministry of Finance for further clarification and improvements. The final form of the bill is expected to affect other proposed laws relating to the foreclosure framework.