If the specified fine is not paid immediately after it has become final, a written demand is made to pay the amount within 14 days, failing which the fine will be forcibly collected. However, there is also the possibility of payment relief. Thus, upon request, a reasonable deferral or even payment by installments may be granted if immediate payment would cause undue hardship to the person liable to pay. However, this deferral is subject to deadlines that are based on the number of daily sentences imposed.
In the event of that the fine cannot be collected, the judgment shall also always specify a substitute term of imprisonment when imposing a fine. Two daily sentences correspond to one day’s imprisonment. However, in the case of substitute prison terms of less than nine months, enforcement may be avoided by performing community service. In this case, four hours of work are equivalent to one day of substitute imprisonment.
