You want to make a purchase and see the option to pay in installments without a credit check. Sounds appealing, especially if you already have a credit history. But how does this work exactly? Is it really without consequences? And what if something goes wrong?
In this article, we explain what deferred payment without BKR entails, what risks are involved, and what changes new legislation will bring. So you know what you're getting into.
Requesting an intake interviewPayment in installments without a credit check — also known as "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) — is a payment method that allows you to pay for a purchase in installments without a credit check. You usually pay the amount in three parts over a period of 60 to 90 days.
The difference with a loan? With deferred payment, you do not enter into a formal credit agreement. As a result, these services are not (yet) subject to the BKR registration requirement. You buy now, pay later, and it does not appear in your credit file.
At least, that's the theory.
Yes and no. Short-term BNPL services do not perform BKR checks on purchases under €250. Even for higher amounts, a BKR check is often not performed as long as you pay off the balance within 60 to 90 days.
However, this does not mean that a BKR registration will never occur. In these situations, it can still happen:
And then there is the legislation that is coming.
The rules for deferred payment are set to undergo fundamental changes. With the introduction of the Consumer Credit Directive II (CCD2) by November 2026 at the latest, all BNPL services will fall under the Financial Supervision Act.
This means:
Deferred payment without BKR as it currently exists will therefore come to an end. Anyone who uses these services after 2026 will simply have this recorded in their BKR file.
"Many people are now opting for installment payments precisely because it is not covered by the BKR. But that advantage will disappear in a year and a half. And anyone who already has payment problems with BNPL may still end up with a registration that will remain on file for five years."
Deepak – Legal specialist
Paying in installments without a credit check sounds harmless. A purchase in three installments, no interest, no registration. But the figures tell a different story.
Because BNPL providers do not exchange information with each other, you can make purchases at multiple online stores at the same time. Within a few weeks, thousands of euros in obligations can arise, all of which must be paid within 60 to 90 days.
The AFM found that one in six BNPL users under the age of 35 is in the red for an average of 7 to 8 days per month. The same group misses an average of 10 payments per year. These are not exceptions; this is a pattern.
Miss a payment? Then you'll receive reminders, late fees, and eventually a collection agency. Some providers will block you for two years after defaulting, even if you repay the debt in full.
Although BNPL is not currently listed in your BKR credit report, mortgage lenders do ask for bank statements. Regular payments to BNPL services or missed payments raise questions about your financial discipline. This can lead to rejection or stricter conditions.
Free consultationMany people come to us because their installment payments have gotten out of hand. What started as a convenient payment option for a new phone or laptop turned into multiple outstanding payments with different providers. A missed payment led to debt collection proceedings, and before they knew it, they had a negative BKR registration.
Sound familiar? Then you may now be stuck with a record that has been haunting you for five years. It pops up again with every mortgage application, every loan, every phone contract.
But those five years don't have to be accurate.
The Supreme Court has ruled that BKR registrations must be proportionate. If your registration is no longer in proportion to your current situation—for example, because the original debt was relatively small, you have since paid off everything, or the registration disproportionately hinders you—it can be legally challenged.
Dynamiet Nederland has helped thousands of people have their BKR registration removed. This includes registrations that arose due to BNPL payment problems.
“BNPL debts are often relatively small, but the resulting BKR registration has the same impact as it does for much larger amounts. It is precisely in these cases that the registration is often disproportionate and therefore contestable.”
Deepak – Legal specialist
Payment plans without a BKR credit check are available, but they are not a free pass. The risks of accumulation and payment problems are real. And from 2026, the BKR advantage will disappear anyway due to new legislation.
Do you already have a BKR registration due to BNPL payment problems? Or due to other debts that are now causing you to look for ways to buy outside the BKR? Then there is a better route than trying to circumvent the system.
Have your registration checked to see if it can be removed. Not in five years, but now.
Request a free analysis and find out within 24 hours whether your BKR registration is contestable.
Are you having problems with a negative registration with BKR due to previous payment problems? At Dynamite Netherlands, we understand the impact this can have on your financial options. We specialize in helping people who are stuck in the BKR system. Please feel free to contact us for personalized advice about your situation and find out what options are available to get your financial future back on track.
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