Hans Dubois
Published: 2020
Total Pages:
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The issue of over-indebtedness continues to be a concern, particularly among some population groups and in Member States where recent increases can be observed. This report provides an overview of the main causes, triggers and consequences of household over-indebtedness, including the costs to society. It then examines two policy responses in the EU and Norway: debt advisory services and debt settlement procedures. While the findings show that in the wake of the global financial crisis, such services and procedures have generally become more widely available and accessible, gaps remain. The overall aim of the report is to draw the attention of national and EU-level policymakers to ways to improve policy responses to household over-indebtedness. This report examines debt advisory services and debt settlement procedures across the EU and Norway. Following the global financial crisis, these services and procedures are more widely available in many Member States. However, there are gaps in terms of access. By learning from practices across the EU, there is an opportunity at regional, national and EU levels to develop policies that serve to address household indebtedness.