So last week I received a parking fine (50 EUR) from a trip to Italy in 2011 from a Swiss collection agency – payable within one week. 
I have no idea if I committed the parking offence – I probably did. I remember being there during that time frame, at least.
I’ve researched this a bit. That letter is invalid in Germany. There are some intra-European regulations for fees above 70 EUR than can be enforced cross-border, but Italy opted not to partake.
However, if you run into a police control in Italy before the offence has lapsed in Italy (the limitation is 5 years, so one more year to go), they can enforce it and add overdue fines and what not. Now, that is rather unlikely – UNLESS of course you happen to fly private aeroplanes into Italy. I remember the last time I landed in Italy (Trento), we were inspected by the border (?) police, regardless of Schengen etc. We had to produce our passports/IDs and wait a couple of minutes for them to check our documents.
Would you pay?
Is it Intrum Justitia?
Would you pay?
I would, but then, I have to travel a lot for work and can’t risk to be held up anywhere for long about such small items.
I once witnessed a similar case, but with Switzerland. We did an intermediate stop in Zürich where our passengers had a quick meeting at the airport before flying onward to somewhere else. At the border control, they told one of the passengers (must have been quite embarrassing for him…): “Your colleagues can go inside, but you don’t go anywhere until you have paid your speeding ticket from last year”. But that of course is Switzerland…
Is it Intrum Justitia?
Would have to check at home (weekend), but I think it’s not…
