Legal Cost Calculator
Quickly estimate the expected costs of litigation in Germany under the current RVG and GKG (as of KostBRÄG 2025).
Understanding and Calculating Litigation Costs in Germany
Anyone considering legal proceedings in Germany should understand the associated costs beforehand. Our legal cost calculator helps you realistically assess the financial risk of litigation. The calculation is based on the current fee tables of the Attorney Remuneration Act (RVG) and the Court Fees Act (GKG), which were updated on June 1, 2025 through the KostBRÄG 2025 amendment.
Components of Litigation Costs
The costs of civil litigation in Germany consist of three main components: your own attorney fees, the opposing party's attorney fees, and court fees. Attorney fees are calculated according to the RVG and are based on the amount in dispute. They include the procedural fee for the attorney's work during the proceedings, the hearing fee for attending court dates, and potentially a settlement fee if the parties reach an agreement. Additionally, an expense allowance of 20 percent of the fees (capped at 20 euros) is charged for postal and telecommunications costs. All attorney fees are subject to 19 percent VAT.
Court Fees Under the GKG
Court fees are calculated independently of attorney fees according to the Court Fees Act. They are also based on the amount in dispute but use a separate fee table. In the first instance, a contested judgment incurs three base court fees. In the appeal instance, this rate increases to four, and in the revision instance to five base fees. In the event of an amicable settlement, court fees are significantly reduced, providing an additional financial incentive for reaching a compromise.
Out-of-Court Costs as an Alternative
Not every legal dispute needs to end up in court. In many cases, a matter can be resolved through out-of-court advice and negotiation. Out-of-court costs are billed on an hourly basis and cover the legal review of the facts, the development of a strategy, and correspondence with the opposing party. If court proceedings are not initiated, only these costs apply. An out-of-court resolution is often not only faster but also significantly more cost-effective than litigation.
How to Use the Legal Cost Calculator
Simply enter the amount in dispute and select the desired court instance. The calculator automatically determines the expected attorney and court fees. Using the "Settlement" toggle, you can also see how a settlement would affect the cost risk. Optionally, you may enter the estimated hours for out-of-court advice to calculate the costs for a resolution without court proceedings. Please note that the results are non-binding estimates. Actual costs may vary depending on the individual case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Litigation Costs
What are litigation costs in Germany?
Litigation costs (Verfahrenskosten) include all expenses incurred during court proceedings in Germany. These consist of attorney fees for both your own and the opposing party's lawyer, as well as court fees. The losing party generally bears all costs of the proceedings, making it essential to assess the financial risk before initiating legal action.
How are attorney fees calculated?
Attorney fees in Germany are governed by the RVG (Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz – Attorney Remuneration Act). The basis is the amount in dispute (Streitwert). A base fee is determined from the RVG table under § 13 and then multiplied by the applicable fee factors. In the first instance, the procedural fee is 1.3 times and the hearing fee is 1.2 times the base fee. Additionally, an expense allowance and 19% VAT are added.
What is the amount in dispute (Streitwert)?
The amount in dispute (Streitwert or Gegenstandswert) represents the economic value of the matter in controversy. It is determined by the court and serves as the basis for calculating both attorney and court fees. For monetary claims, it generally corresponds to the amount demanded. For non-monetary disputes, the court determines the value at its discretion.
Which fee tables are used?
This calculator uses the current tables under KostBRÄG 2025 (Cost and Guardianship Remuneration Amendment Act), effective since June 1, 2025. Attorney fees are calculated according to § 13 RVG, and court fees according to § 34 GKG. Value-based fees were increased by an average of 6 percent under KostBRÄG 2025.
What happens in case of a settlement?
In case of a settlement (Vergleich), additional settlement fees apply for the attorneys, but court fees are significantly reduced. In the first instance, court fees drop from 3.0 to 1.0 base fees. In the appeal instance, they are reduced from 4.0 to 2.0 base fees. A settlement can therefore substantially lower the total cost risk and often provides an economically sensible alternative to a contested judgment.
Who bears the costs of litigation?
As a general rule, the losing party bears all costs of the litigation – including their own attorney fees, the opposing party's attorney fees, and the court fees. In case of partial success, costs are allocated proportionally (known as Kostenquotelung). The maximum cost risk therefore always includes both parties' attorney fees and the court fees. This should be carefully considered before filing a lawsuit.
What are out-of-court costs?
Out-of-court costs arise when an attorney is engaged before potential court proceedings – for example, for legal advice, assessment of the factual and legal situation, correspondence with the opposing party, or negotiations toward an out-of-court settlement. These costs are billed on an hourly basis and are incurred regardless of whether court proceedings follow.
How do the court instances differ?
In the first instance, a case is heard before a court for the first time. If a party disagrees with the judgment, they may file an appeal (second instance). In exceptional cases, a further appeal to the Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof) is possible (third instance). Costs increase with each instance, as higher fee rates apply. The procedural fee rises to 1.6 times the base fee in the second and third instances.
Free Initial Consultation
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