Court fees in general courts

The costs of the trial consist of a court fee, a legal counsel's fee and compensation for witnesses.

A higher cost than the court fees for a person who takes his case to court is usually the fee of a legal counsel. A party pays his or her legal assistance, unless he or she has been granted legal aid or a counsel hired with state funds. If a person is suspected of a serious offence, he or she receives a defender hired with state funds. A victim of a sexual offence or domestic violence may receive a counsel or support person hired with state funds.

If a party wins his or her case, the opposing party usually reimburses his or her legal costs. If he or she loses the case, he or she usually has to pay the costs of the proceedings to the successful party. The recipient of legal aid, which has been paid from state funds, usually has to pay the counterparty's legal costs if he or she loses the case in court.

A court fee shall not be charged in criminal proceedings if the appellate court amends the decision of the lower court in favour of the appellant.

Applying for a restraining order became free of charge on 1.10.2023. In the future, the applicant for a restraining order will not be charged a fee even if the application is rejected or the matter lapses.

Supreme Court

EUR 530.

In criminal cases, a fee shall not be levied if the Supreme Court amends the decision of the lower court in favour of the appellant.

In the appeal of a matter decided by the Market Court, the fee shall be equal and determined on the basis of the same criteria as in the Market Court.

Courts of appeal

Petitionary matters EUR 270.

A criminal case, a restraining order and an appeal under the Enforcement Code, and a case in which settlement is not permitted EUR 270. In a criminal case, a court fee shall not be charged if the appellate court amends the decision of a lower court in favour of the appellant.

Other matters: EUR 530.

District courts

A criminal case EUR 270, and no fee is charged for a criminal matter when the prosecutor is prosecuting.

An appeal under the Enforcement Code and a case where settlement is not permitted EUR 270.

Civil matters and land court cases EUR 530, with the exception of:

  • a dispute referred to in Chapter 5, section 3 of the Code of Judicial Procedure, which has been decided by a default judgment or by concession or has been dismissed, for which the information has been sent directly to the district court's information system EUR 65.
  • other dispute referred to in Chapter 5, section 3 of the Code of Judicial Procedure, which has been decided by a default judgment or by concession or has been dismissed EUR 86.
  • a matter referred to in Chapter 5, section 3 of the Code of Judicial Procedure challenged by the defendant EUR 270.

Application fees in district courts

Usually EUR 270. If a matter is referred to a hearing in dispute, fee as in a dispute.

However, in the application matters below, the fees are as follows:

Divorce matters

EUR 210.

Further processing after a reflection period EUR 100.

If the matter is referred to a hearing, fee as in the case of a dispute.

If both spouses apply for divorce together and do not mention the payer in the application, the fee may be charged to either spouse. In such cases, the spouses are jointly and severally liable for payment, which means that if the spouse receiving the invoice does not pay the bill, it can be collected from the other party. In the application, it is advisable to indicate to whom the district court will primarily send the invoice.

Dispute mediation

  • if mediation is not started EUR 100
  • if mediation starts EUR 270

Bankruptcy

  • in a bankruptcy matter, the applicant is charged EUR 320,

unless the debtor is declared bankrupt

  • EUR 690 charged to bankruptcy estate for bankruptcy
  • EUR 800 for bankruptcy cases ending with the establishment of a disbursement list
  • EUR 320 will be charged for bankruptcy matters other than those ending with the establishment of the disbursement list,

however, no fee is charged if the bankruptcy continues as public receivership

  • the applicant is charged EUR 320 for any other matter dealt with separately on application under the Bankruptcy Act (120/2004);

however, no fee shall be charged in respect of a matter concerning the imposition of a precautionary measure or coercive measure, the attestation of the estate inventory or any other obligation of the debtor, ex post control or the rectification or amendment of a confirmed disbursement list;

  • if a matter concerning a contested claim is referred to a hearing in a dispute, a fee shall be charged to the complainant, as in the case of a dispute.

Restructuring procedure

  • a matter in which it is not decided to initiate a restructuring procedure EUR 320.
  • a matter in which a decision is made to initiate a restructuring procedure EUR 1060.
  • EUR 320 for other matters related to the restructuring procedure to be dealt with separately on application.

Debt arrangement of a private person

EUR 270 for a debt arrangement matter in which the applicant is not a debtor.

Civil marriage

Free of charge during office hours and at the office. EUR 150 during office hours but outside the office, EUR 250 outside office hours, and compensation for travel expenses incurred must be paid to the officiator.

Declaration of death

An application fee shall be charged for the consideration of the matter in the district court. If a declaration of death requires an announcement in the Official Journal, in addition to the application fee, the costs of the announcement in the Official Journal shall be collected in full.

Published 4.10.2023