Debtors’ Registry: Do you know which one is unofficial?

Quick Overview

There is no single, unified list of all debtors in the Czech Republic. BRKI and NRKI record credit relationships and payment histories, including timely repayments. SOLUS primarily contains negative data regarding defaults on obligations to its members. The Insolvency Register and the Central Register of Enforcement Proceedings are publicly accessible records. CERD, on the other hand, is neither a government nor an official banking registry. If you discover an incorrect entry, first ask the registry administrator or the institution that entered the data to correct it.

What Is a Debtors Registry and Why Does It Exist?

The term “debtors’ registry” is commonly used to refer to several different databases, none of which have the same purpose or content. Some record only serious repayment problems, while others track the entire history of a credit relationship, including regular and timely payments. Simply being listed in a credit registry does not automatically mean that you are a debtor or a defaulter.

These registries help banks and other creditors assess a client’s creditworthiness. Public records, such as the Insolvency Register or the Central Register of Enforcement Proceedings, allow creditors to verify whether insolvency or enforcement proceedings are pending against a specific individual. The rules governing access, data corrections, and retention periods vary by registry.

What Debtor Registries Do We Have in the Czech Republic

There are several different debtor registries in the Czech Republic—some are private and used by banks and companies, while others are public and accessible online. We can divide them into four main groups.

Banking Registers: BRKI and NRKI

These registries primarily serve financial institutions, such as banks, savings banks, and credit or leasing companies. These institutions use them to verify the financial reliability of their clients. Both positive and negative information about credit history is recorded here. This includes not only instances where you were late on payments but also instances where you paid your obligations on time. This can play an important role, for example, when applying for a mortgage.

• BRKI – Banking Register of Client Information (operated by CBCB – Czech Banking Credit Bureau)
• NRKI – Non-Banking Client Information Registry (operated by CNCB – Czech Non-Banking Credit Bureau)

Both registries cooperate and share data on individuals’ credit histories. If you request a report, you will typically receive a combined report from the BRKI and NRKI. This will give you a complete overview of all your obligations and their repayment status.

SOLUS – Association for the Protection of Leasing and Consumer Loans

SOLUS is another major debtors’ registry, this time focused more on the consumer sector. The SOLUS Association collects information on individuals who owe money to mobile phone carriers, energy companies, installment loan companies, insurance companies, and even some banks. For example, if you fail to pay your phone or electricity bill, you are likely to end up on this list of debtors.

SOLUS allows individuals to obtain a report in several ways—the fastest being through a data box or using a mobile app. Although you’ll have to pay for the report (approximately 125–449 CZK), it will provide you with an overview of whether and why you’re listed in the registry, as well as who entered the information into the registry.

Publicly Accessible Debtor Registers

In addition to the databases mentioned above, there are also public debtor registries that anyone can access without needing the consent of the person in question. They are often used by employers, landlords, or business partners who want to verify the other party’s financial credibility.

• The Insolvency Registry lists all persons (both individuals and legal entities) who are subject to insolvency proceedings.
• The Central Enforcement Registry (CEE) provides a list of all individuals against whom enforcement proceedings are pending. Access is subject to a fee and is restricted exclusively to registered users.

The Insolvency Register, in particular, is an excellent tool if you want to quickly verify who you’re dealing with, for example, before signing a contract. There, you can find out not only whether someone is in bankruptcy but also who their insolvency administrator is, the status of the proceedings, a list of creditors, and more.

Central Debtors Registry (CERD) – Beware of Fake Registries

The so-called Central Debtors Registry (CERD) deserves special attention. Although this website gives the impression of being an official database, it is in fact not an official registry at all. It is not affiliated with any government agency or financial institution.

On the contrary—CERD has been criticized many times in the past by experts and the media for its misleading presentation. Many people believed it to be a genuine debtors’ registry and unnecessarily paid fees for reports or to have allegedly negative entries removed. The Ministry of Justice, the Czech National Bank, and other institutions have repeatedly distanced themselves from this project.

Therefore, if you are looking for relevant information about your credit history or debt, use only the official and verified debtor registries mentioned above.

Have you paid for a report from a private database that posed as an official registry, or is its operator demanding an additional fee from you? Before paying anything, have the request verified to ensure it has a legitimate legal basis.

Who Can Access the Debtors’ Registry

Creditors (e.g., banks, leasing companies, telephone operators), individuals (every person has the right to obtain a report about themselves, though usually for a fee), and government agencies (in certain cases, such as during criminal or administrative proceedings) have access to the individual registries.

For example, before you take out a loan, you can check to see if you’re listed anywhere. This might be of particular interest to you if someone has previously sued you, sent you a payment reminder, or if you’ve had problems with bills.

What to Do If You Find Yourself on a Debtors’ List

Have you discovered that you’re listed in a debtors’ registry? If so, we recommend taking the following four steps.

1. Find out exactly where and why you’re listed. Not all registries provide detailed information; in some cases, you’ll need to request a report.
2. Verify that the information is correct. If you believe the information is incorrect, first contact the registry administrator or the institution that submitted the information. In your request, clearly identify the disputed information and attach documents proving its inaccuracy, such as a payment confirmation or contract termination notice. You have the right to request the correction of inaccurate personal data. If the administrator refuses to correct the information or does not respond to your request, you can contact the Office for Personal Data Protection.
3. Pay the debt and request deletion. In most registries, information about the debt remains for a certain period after payment (e.g., 1–4 years), but if the entry is incorrect, you can seek its prompt removal.
4. Consider seeking legal assistance. If you are unable to obtain a correction or are unsure of your rights, contact us. We will help you with data deletion and any necessary legal proceedings.

Do not rely solely on a creditor’s verbal assurance. We will help you prepare a written request to correct the data and assess whether there is a legal basis for the continued retention of the record.

One of our clients only learned about the negative record when applying for a mortgage. He assumed that after paying off the old debt, it must have been automatically deleted. However, the credit report showed that the credit bureau was permitted to continue retaining the credit history, but the information regarding repayment had not been properly updated. After providing proof of payment, the record was successfully corrected.

How can you avoid ending up in the debtors’ registry?

It sounds obvious, but prevention is always the most effective defense. Keep track of your payment due dates. Communicate with your creditors in a timely manner; often, you can negotiate a deferral or an installment plan with them. Use tools that help you track your financial obligations. Do not sign contracts you do not understand—if in doubt, consult our legal advice service.

Being listed in a debtors’ registry is not automatically a sign of dishonesty. It is often the result of a difficult life situation. At the same time, however, it is important to address this information—both by verifying it and if you believe you have been listed in the debtors’ registry unjustly.

Summary

There is no single universal registry of all debtors in the Czech Republic. BRKI and NRKI contain information about loans and their repayment, including positive credit history, while SOLUS primarily records issues with fulfilling obligations to its members. Insolvency proceedings can be verified free of charge in the Insolvency Register, and enforcement proceedings can be verified for a fee in the Central Enforcement Register. CERD is neither a government nor an official banking registry. If you find incorrect information in your report, ask the registry administrator or the institution that entered it to correct it. Paying off a debt does not necessarily mean that the entire history will be immediately deleted—however, the record must accurately reflect the actual status.