Court Cost Calculator Germany
German court fees by amount in dispute under the current GKG table: civil claim (3.0), appeal (4.0) or payment order (0.5), plus the reduced settlement fee.
Details
Court Costs
€849.00
3.0x fee (civil lawsuit 1st instance)
Simple fee (GKG)
€283.00
With settlement
€283.00
Reduced to 1.0x fee (No. 1211 KV GKG)
Calculation
Note: Court costs according to the Court Costs Act (GKG, fee table since 1 June 2025). A civil lawsuit incurs 3 fees. If the case ends in a court settlement, withdrawal or acknowledgement, the fee is reduced to 1.0 at first instance (No. 1211 KV GKG) and to 2.0 on appeal (No. 1222). The plaintiff pays in advance; the losing party bears the final costs. As of: 2026.
Note: These calculations are for informational purposes only and do not replace professional tax or financial advice. All information without guarantee.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How are court fees calculated?
Court fees in Germany are based on the dispute value and regulated by the GKG (Court Fees Act). The fee table assigns a base amount for each value range, multiplied by a factor depending on the type of proceeding.
Who pays the court fees?
Generally, the losing party pays all court fees and the winning party's attorney fees. In settlements, costs are usually split according to the agreed ratio.
How much cheaper is a court dunning procedure than a lawsuit?
A payment order (Mahnbescheid) only incurs a 0.5 fee (No. 1100 KV GKG), whereas a first-instance lawsuit costs a 3.0 fee (No. 1210 KV GKG). At a dispute value of 10,000 euros, the calculator shows 141.50 euros instead of 849 euros. If the debtor objects and the case moves to contested proceedings, the dunning fee is credited against the 3.0 fee – you then pay the difference.
Guide
What is the Court Cost Calculator Germany?
The court fees calculator computes court fees under the German Court Costs Act (GKG) for civil lawsuits, dunning procedures and appeals.
How does the Court Cost Calculator Germany work?
Enter the amount in dispute and the type of proceedings. The calculator determines court fees from the fee table. In civil proceedings a 3.0x fee applies; if the case ends in a court settlement, it is reduced to 1.0.
Key Data and Facts
Civil court fees: 3.0x fee under GKG (fee table since 1 June 2025). With settlement: 1.0x fee (appeal: 2.0). Legal aid covers your own court and attorney fees on a low income.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to calculate court costs step by step: 1. Determine the amount in dispute (value of the matter): for monetary claims: the sum claimed. For eviction actions: 12 months' net rent. For unfair-dismissal claims: 3 months' gross salary (the labour court, however, charges its own 2.0 fee under No. 8210 KV GKG, which this calculator does not cover). 2. Read off the fee from the GKG table: amount in dispute 5,000 EUR: one fee = 170.50 EUR. Amount in dispute 10,000 EUR: 283 EUR. Amount in dispute 25,000 EUR: 435.50 EUR. Amount in dispute 50,000 EUR: 638 EUR (table since 1 June 2025). 3. Apply the fee rate: civil proceedings at first instance: 3 times the fee. Appeal: 4 times the fee. A court settlement, withdrawal or acknowledgement reduces the fee to 1.0 (first instance, No. 1211 KV GKG) or 2.0 (appeal, No. 1222). Dunning procedure: 0.5x fee, at least 38 EUR. 4. Calculate the court costs: table fee x fee rate. 5. Party bearing the costs: the losing party bears the entire court costs. In the case of partial success: apportionment according to the ratio. 6. Legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe): on a low income the state covers your own court and attorney fees, in full or against instalments depending on income. It does not cover the opponent's costs if you lose (Section 123 ZPO).
Calculation Example
Civil lawsuit, amount in dispute 15,000 EUR. Table fee (band up to 16,000 EUR): 344 EUR. 3.0x fee: 1,032 EUR. With a court settlement: 1.0x fee = 344 EUR (No. 1211 KV GKG). Savings through the settlement: 688 EUR.
Sources
Official sources
Calculations are based on applicable German laws and official data:
- Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
- Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz (RVG)
- Bundesministerium der Finanzen (BMF)
Full methodology at Methodology.
Reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev · Last updated:
Law
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