11 Jun How Much Does Debt Review Cost in 2026?
One of the first questions people ask when considering debt review is how much it costs. It is a fair question – and the good news is that all debt review fees in South Africa are regulated by the National Credit Regulator (NCR). No registered debt counsellor can charge more than the prescribed maximums. Here is a complete breakdown of what to expect in 2026.
Why Are Fees Regulated?
The NCR sets maximum fee limits for registered debt counsellors to protect consumers from being exploited at a financially vulnerable time. These fee structures are governed by the National Credit Act. Any debt counsellor charging more than the prescribed amounts is acting outside the law.
The Application Fee
The first cost is a once-off application fee of R50. This is paid upfront and covers the cost of completing and submitting Form 16 – the formal document in which you list your income, expenses, debts, and assets. Without Form 16, the debt review process cannot begin.
The Administration Fee
An administration fee of R300 is also due upfront. This covers your initial consultation with the debt counsellor, the notification sent to your creditors via Form 17.1, administration of any rejections if you are found to be not over-indebted, and entry of your details into the NCR Debt Help System.
The Restructuring Fee
The restructuring fee is the most significant cost. For a single applicant, this fee may not exceed R8,000. For a person married in community of property, the ceiling is R9,000. This fee covers the Form 17.2 process – formally confirming your over-indebtedness and commencing negotiations with creditors to restructure your repayments.
For a full breakdown, see our dedicated debt review fees page.
The Reckless Lending Assessment Fee
If your debt counsellor identifies that a creditor may have lent to you recklessly – without properly assessing your affordability – a reckless lending assessment fee of R1,500 per application may apply. This is due in the second month and covers the investigation, documentation supplied to an attorney, and the drafting of an affidavit on the outcome.
The After Care Fee
From the second month of the process, a monthly after care fee applies. This fee may not exceed R450 (excluding VAT) or 5% of the distributable amount, whichever is lower. It covers the ongoing management of your case throughout the repayment period.
Payment Distribution Agency Fees
Your restructured monthly payment is distributed to creditors by a registered Payment Distribution Agency (PDA). The PDA charges a distribution fee – typically around 3% of your monthly payment, subject to a maximum – which is factored into your monthly repayment. You do not pay this separately.
Are the Fees Added on Top of My Debt?
No. The fees are structured into your single monthly debt review payment. You do not pay them separately or upfront in most cases. The restructuring fee and reckless lending fee are absorbed into the early months of repayments, and the after care fee is ongoing but capped. This is one of the reasons debt review is considered accessible even by those with very limited monthly cash flow.
How Do Debt Review Costs Compare to Staying in Debt?
The fees involved in debt review are almost always significantly lower than the combined cost of continued high-interest debt repayments, penalty charges, and legal costs if creditors take action against you. Use our debt review calculator to get an estimate of your potential savings.
What About the Total Time Under Debt Review?
The duration of debt review typically ranges from three to five years depending on your total debt, income, and the outcome of negotiations with creditors. Understanding how the process unfolds month by month is covered in how debt review works.
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