You can change your Klarna payment date, but only before your first payment is due
Klarna lets you reschedule your payment date during the checkout process, before you complete your purchase. Once you've confirmed the order, you cannot move the payment date forward or backward through the Klarna app or website. If your payment is already due or overdue, you'll need to contact Klarna customer service to discuss your options—which may include a one-time extension or a plan to catch up on missed payments.
The payment date you see at checkout is set by Klarna's system based on when you make the purchase. For a four-payment plan, your first payment is typically due two weeks after purchase. You can adjust this during checkout by selecting a different payment schedule if Klarna offers one, but you cannot push a payment date past the plan's final due date.
Key Takeaways
- You can only change your payment date before you complete your purchase—once the order is confirmed, the schedule is locked.
- Klarna's standard four-payment plan spaces payments two weeks apart, starting two weeks after purchase.
- If a payment is already due or overdue, contact Klarna directly through the app or website to request a postponement or payment arrangement.
- Requesting a payment delay after the due date may result in late fees or a mark on your payment history, depending on how long you wait.
How to change your payment date before checkout
When you select Klarna as your payment method at checkout, you'll see your payment schedule displayed. The schedule shows each payment amount and its due date. Before you confirm the purchase, look for an option to adjust the payment plan—this may appear as a link to "change plan" or "view payment schedule." Clicking this option may show you alternative payment schedules if Klarna offers them for that purchase amount.
Not all purchase amounts have multiple schedule options. If Klarna only offers one payment plan for your purchase, you won't see an option to change dates. In that case, your payment schedule is fixed and you'll need to proceed with the dates shown or choose a different payment method.
Once you confirm your purchase, the payment dates are final. You cannot reschedule through the app after that point. If you realize after purchase that the dates don't work for you, contact Klarna support as soon as possible—the sooner you reach out, the more options they may have to help.
What to do if a payment is already due
If your payment is due within the next few days or has already passed, you cannot change the date through the Klarna app. Instead, open the Klarna app, find the order, and look for a "contact us" or "help" option. You can also visit Klarna's website and use their chat or message feature to speak with a representative.
When you contact them, explain your situation clearly: whether you need a few extra days, a week, or longer. Klarna may grant a one-time postponement of a few days at no extra cost, but this is not may provide. If you're asking for a longer delay or if this is not your first late payment, they may charge a late fee or require you to set up a payment plan to catch up.
The longer you wait after a payment is due, the more likely Klarna will report the late payment to credit bureaus. This can affect your credit score. Reaching out before or immediately after the due date gives you the best chance of working something out without lasting damage to your credit.
Late fees and how they affect your account
Klarna charges a late fee if your payment is not received by the due date. The fee amount varies by region and account history, but typically ranges from a small flat fee to a percentage of the missed payment. Late fees are added to your balance, so if you miss a $50 payment and incur a $5 late fee, you now owe $55 plus any future scheduled payments.
If you miss multiple payments or fall significantly behind, Klarna may suspend your account, preventing you from making new purchases through them. They may also send your account to a collection agency if the debt remains unpaid for several months. At that point, the debt collector—not Klarna—will contact you about payment.
Paying as soon as possible after you realize you'll be late can sometimes prevent a late fee from being applied. Contact Klarna immediately if you know you cannot make a payment on time.
Setting up a payment plan if you're behind
If you've missed one or more payments, Klarna may offer you a payment plan to catch up without going to collections. This is typically negotiated through customer service, not through the app. When you contact them, be honest about your situation and ask what payment arrangements are available.
A payment plan might spread your missed payments over several weeks or months, giving you time to catch up without losing access to your account. Klarna may still report the missed payments to credit bureaus, but a plan shows you're working to resolve the debt, which can matter if the account goes to collections later.
Payment plans are not automatic—you have to request one and Klarna has to agree. The sooner you reach out after missing a payment, the more likely they are to work with you.
How Klarna reports late payments to credit bureaus
Klarna reports account activity to credit bureaus, including late payments. A payment that is 30 days late will typically show up on your credit report. Payments that are 60 or 90 days late have a more serious impact on your credit score. Even if you eventually pay the debt, the late payment stays on your credit report for seven years.
This means that a missed Klarna payment can affect your ability to get approved for credit cards, loans, or even rental housing for years. The impact is greatest in the first two years after the late payment is reported. If you're struggling to make a payment, prioritizing it over other debts can protect your credit score.
If you believe Klarna has reported incorrect information about your account, you can dispute it with the credit bureau directly. Klarna should also have a process for disputing errors through their customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move my payment date back a few days if I'm short on cash?
If your payment is not yet due, you cannot change the date through the app. Contact Klarna support and ask for a postponement. They may grant a short delay, but this is not may provide and may result in a late fee. The sooner you ask, the better your chances.
What happens if I ignore a Klarna payment?
Klarna will charge late fees, report the missed payment to credit bureaus after 30 days, and may suspend your account. After several months of non-payment, they may send your account to a collection agency. At that point, a debt collector will contact you and the debt becomes much harder to resolve.
Can I pay my Klarna balance early to avoid a late payment?
Yes. You can pay any scheduled payment early through the Klarna app without penalty. Paying early does not change your other scheduled payment dates—they remain as originally set. Paying early can help if you know you'll have cash flow problems later.
Does Klarna let you skip a payment?
Klarna does not have a built-in skip feature. If you cannot make a payment, contact them to discuss options. They may postpone a single payment, but this is handled case-by-case and may involve a fee or credit impact.
Will changing my payment date hurt my credit score?
Changing your payment date before purchase does not affect your credit. Requesting a postponement after a payment is due may result in a late fee and credit reporting if the payment is not made by the new date. The impact depends on how late the payment becomes.