We see more and more that people have questions about a Klarna BKR registration. Do you get a BKR registration if you pay in 3 installments with Klarna? What happens if you don't pay Klarna on time? And does this affect your future borrowing options? In this article, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about Klarna and the potential impact on your BKR status.
Request a free consultationKlarna and BKR registration: what you need to know about retrospective payments
What is Klarna and how does post-payment work?
Klarna is a popular payment service that you will find at more and more online stores. They offer several payment options, the two best known of which are:
- Pay later (within 30 days of purchase)
- Pay in 3 installments (spread over 60 days)
The latter option, paying in 3 installments, is especially popular. You then pay the first installment immediately upon purchase, and the next two installments are automatically debited from your account after 30 and 60 days.
It sounds appealing and innocent: who doesn't want some financial breathing room? But what many people don't know is that this form of deferred payment is considered credit under certain circumstances. And that potentially affects your BKR registration.
"We see people every day who don't realize that paying after the fact can have serious financial consequences. Klarna seems harmless, but in some situations it can really cause problems for future funding requests."
Deepak - Legal Specialist
Does Klarna have a BKR registration? The facts
There is a lot of confusion about whether or not Klarna passes on a BKR registration. Let's get the facts straight:
When you choose "pay later" within 30 days with Klarna, there is basically no credit. You just delay payment briefly, similar to an invoice. No BKR registration is normally done for this.
Things are different with the "pay in 3 installments" option. According to the Financial Supervision Act (Wft), this payment method qualifies as consumer credit when:
- The repayment lasts longer than one month
- The credit amount exceeds €250
If you frequently use Klarna and your limit is increased to above €1,000, this does can lead to a BKR registration. This happens especially in the following scenarios:
- If you have multiple Klarna payments running that together exceed €1,000
- If you fall behind on payments with Klarna
- If you are assigned a credit limit that exceeds €1,000
Although Klarna currently does not routinely report all 3 installment payments to BKR, this may change in the future. The AFM (Financial Markets Authority) and BKR are increasingly insisting that all forms of "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) services be registered to prevent overcrediting.
Klarna's credit check and the impact on your credit score
When you choose to pay with Klarna, they always perform a form of credit check. This check varies depending on the payment method you choose:
- With the "pay later" option (within 30 days), Klarna does a limited, soft credit check. They check your personal information and see if you have made previous payments to Klarna on time.
- With "pay in 3 installments" a slightly more extensive check is done. Klarna then checks your creditworthiness through their own internal system and sometimes through external data providers, but without an official BKR test.
These internal credit checks of Klarna basically have no impact on your official credit score with the BKR. Klarna itself calls this a "soft test" that is not visible to other lenders.
Caution: Klarna does track your payment behavior in their own systems. If you regularly pay late or are in arrears, this can affect your future applications to Klarna itself. For example, you may get a lower limit or even be refused for their services.
For higher amounts, multiple ongoing credits with Klarna, or when your limit is structurally increased to above €1,000, a registration with BKR may occur. In that case it is no longer a soft check, but a hard credit check that affects your official credit score.
Free consultationWhat happens if you don't pay Klarna?
Not paying your Klarna installments can have serious consequences. Your financial situation can quickly deteriorate due to mounting fees and possible BKR registration. Here's what happens when you don't pay Klarna on time:
- If you miss the first payment deadline at "pay in 3 installments," Klarna will try to debit the amount again within 2 to 7 business days. They give you the option to replenish your bank balance during that period or make payment arrangements through their app.
- Is the second collection also unsuccessful? Then you will receive a reminder with extra costs: €7.50 for amounts under €20, or €13.50 for higher amounts.
- Then you still don't pay within 14 days? Then your claim will be transferred to a collection agency. At that point, collection costs of 15% over the amount due will be added, with a minimum of €40. This adds up quickly!
- Are you in long-term arrears? Then chances are good that you will get a negative BKR registration. Klarna reports long-term arrears to the BKR, which results in a coding with a "particularity. This is a negative mark that remains visible for 5 years, even after you pay off the debt.
A negative BKR registration has major consequences. It can make it impossible for you to get a mortgage or loan in the future. You can also face problems for taking out a phone contract or leasing a car.
So when paying in arrears with Klarna, it is crucial to pay on time to avoid extra fees and a negative BKR registration. Are you already in trouble? Then legal help with your BKR registration can offer a solution.
Future developments: why registration of Klarna with BKR is likely
The regulations surrounding Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services such as Klarna are in flux. There are strong signs that all BNPL services will come under stricter regulations in the near future, including mandatory BKR registration.
The Financial Markets Authority (AFM) has already called several times for uniform registration of all forms of deferred payment. They warn of the risk of "invisible consumer credit" that can lead to problematic debts.
Banks and consumer organizations are also calling for more transparency and better registration of BNPL services. They point to the growing problem of over-indebtedness, in which consumers borrow more than they can repay because not all debts are visible in the BKR.
Since 2021, stricter legal obligations for loans and revolving credit already apply, including the "3 installments" option under certain circumstances. The trend is clearly toward more supervision and registration.
The European Union is working on new regulations specifically aimed at BNPL services, which will likely lead to more uniform registration requirements in all member states, including the Netherlands.
For you as a consumer, this means that you should take into account that your use of Klarna and similar services will probably be registered with BKR in the future, even if it is not yet the case.
Do you depend on a good BKR status, for example, because you will soon have a mortgage want to apply for a mortgage? If so, it is wise to be cautious now about using retrospective payment services such as Klarna.
"The legislation surrounding BNPL services such as Klarna lags behind practice. We see that regulators are looking at this more and more critically. It is only a matter of time before these services are fully under BKR supervision. So be careful what you take on now, because it could affect your future loan options."
Deepak - Legal Specialist
Tips to avoid problems with Klarna and BKR registration
We understand that paying afterwards can sometimes be convenient, but it's important to do it wisely. Here are some practical tips to avoid problems with Klarna and possible BKR registration:
- Be aware of your total financial obligations. It's tempting to make multiple purchases through Klarna, but keep a close eye on how many outstanding payments you have. If these add up to more than €1,000, it increases your chances of a BKR registration.
- Set a reminder in your calendar or phone for each payment date. This will prevent you from accidentally missing a deadline, which can lead to dunning charges and ultimately collection costs.
- Regularly check your e-mail, including your spam folder, for messages from Klarna. Sometimes important reminders or alerts end up in your spam box.
- Are you having temporary payment problems? Then proactively contact Klarna before you default. Through their app or customer service, you can often make payment arrangements that are more advantageous than the collection process.
- Consider whether you really need to pay afterwards. If you can also pay the amount immediately, you avoid the risk of later problems.
- Use the Klarna app to keep track of all your pending payments and installments. The app clearly shows what you still have to pay and when.
- If you already have financial worries or are running other loans, be extra careful about paying in arrears. It can further complicate your situation, especially if you plan to apply for a mortgage or other loan soon.
Are you still in trouble with a negative BKR registration? Then Dynamite Netherlands can help you. We have extensive experience in challenging and removing unjustified or disproportionate BKR registrations.
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Frequently asked questions about Klarna and BKR registration
Does Klarna have a BKR registration?
Is paying in arrears BKR registration?
What happens if you don't pay Klarna?
What debts does BKR not register?
Are you having problems with a BKR registration due to Klarna or other late payment services? We would be happy to help you. At Dynamite Netherlands we have extensive experience in removing BKR registrations and can assess your situation. Request a free consultation to discuss what we can do for you. Within one business day you will know where you stand and what the possibilities are in your specific situation.
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