The first step that the bailiff will take is to conduct a solvency investigation. If this investigation determines that your debtor has a risk of insolvency, you will be contacted by the bailiff. The choice is then up to you whether to terminate or continue the procedure.
If you decide to terminate the procedure at that point, you will be refunded your advance payment, after deduction of the costs incurred for the solvency investigation (€ 50 VAT excluded) and the filing fee (€ 40 VAT excluded). You will also receive a certificate of irrecoverability automatically and free of charge. With this, you can remove the unpaid invoice from your turnover and recover any VAT already paid.
If you decide to continue anyway, and your debtor goes bankrupt or goes into judicial reorganisation, the risk of additional costs is at your expense.