Re: Is it worth sueing for 500€?
Firstly small claims cannot be used for debts. Don't even attempt that.
Sounds like you've been burned in court a few times. I've always successfully collected my debts this way.
Otherwise, what incentive do any tenants have to ever pay rent, if the court wouldn't hear cases against them?
Secondly, the professional deadbeat debtors, do not work (at least on paper) and do not own any property.
Obviously if you don't know who their employer is, and you don't know where their assets are, the risk of not collecting on the judgment goes way up. This information is secured before going into court. These types of debtors are often dogmatic, and too lazy to switch jobs, even when their wages are being garnished, making it quite easy for the creditor to recover the full amount. I garnished someones wages over period that spanned 2-3 years until it was paid off.
If you're dealing with a large amount of money, then it's worth it to pursue even without knowing their workplace or where their assets are. After winning the judgment plaintiffs can have defendants ordered into court to declare their assets. In which case if they don't show up, an arrest warrant is issued.
As far as property goes, most people own a car. Even cheap cars are typically worth more than 500, so putting a lien on the car is another option if they don't have a house.
Getting a judgement won't matter a jot to them as they probably have a load of them already.
Not if the court doesn't enforce debt payment, as you're claiming.
In most cases, the other creditors are deadbeats too, unwilling to bother with court (because the general public has court phobia), which means you generally do not have to wait in line to collect from the debtor.