Court Costs Calculator 2026 — Lawyer + Court Fees (RVG/GKG)
Calculate total court costs: lawyer fees per RVG, court fees per GKG, witness compensation. Based on amount in dispute with 2026 examples. Check before suing.
Details
Total Litigation Costs
€5,291.70
Court + 2 Lawyers (1st Instance)
If You Win (full success)
€0.00
Opponent bears all costs
If You Lose (full defeat)
€5,291.70
You bear all costs
Cost Breakdown
Note: Simplified calculation. 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
What are the total costs of a lawsuit?
Total litigation costs include court fees, your own attorney fees, and potentially the opposing party's attorney fees if you lose. For a dispute value of 10,000 euros, costs can easily reach 5,000-8,000 euros.
Does legal expense insurance cover all litigation costs?
Legal expense insurance typically covers court fees, your attorney, and expert fees. Most policies exclude certain areas like family law or construction disputes. Check your policy for coverage gaps and waiting periods.
Which fee schedules do the calculations use?
Lawyer fees are calculated under the German Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz (RVG), court fees under the Gerichtskostengesetz (GKG). Both tables are updated regularly. Source: gesetze-im-internet.de.
Guide
Quick Answer
The litigation costs calculator computes the total cost of court proceedings: own and opposing attorney fees plus court fees.
What is the Court Costs Calculator 2026 — Lawyer + Court Fees (RVG/GKG)?
The litigation costs calculator computes the total cost of court proceedings: own and opposing attorney fees plus court fees.
How does the Court Costs Calculator 2026 — Lawyer + Court Fees (RVG/GKG) work?
Enter the amount in dispute. The calculator adds court fees (GKG) and attorney fees for both parties (RVG). If you lose, you bear all costs. The calculator shows the cost risk for both scenarios (win/loss).
Key Data and Facts
Cost risk = own attorney fees + opposing attorney fees + court fees. Legal expenses insurance covers most litigation costs. Legal aid for those in need.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to calculate the total litigation costs step by step: 1. Enter the amount in dispute: The sum that is being litigated over. 2. Calculate the court costs: Threefold fee according to the GKG fee table (first instance, civil proceedings). 3. Calculate your own lawyer's fees: Procedural fee (1.3-fold) + hearing fee (1.2-fold) + flat-rate expenses (EUR 20) + 19 % VAT. 4. Opposing party's lawyer's fees: The same calculation as your own lawyer's fees. 5. Total risk if you lose: Your own lawyer's fees + the opposing party's lawyer's fees + court costs. 6. Total costs if you win: Only your own lawyer's fees as an advance payment, reimbursed by the opposing party. 7. Scenario analysis: Compare the cost risk with the amount in dispute. Rule of thumb: for amounts in dispute up to EUR 10,000, litigation costs come to about 30-40 % of the amount in dispute. For higher amounts in dispute, the percentage share decreases. 8. Legal expenses insurance: As a rule it covers lawyer's and court costs (possibly with a deductible).
Calculation Example
Amount in dispute 20,000 EUR. Court costs (triple): 1,107 EUR. Own lawyer's fees: 2,034 EUR. Opposing lawyer's fees: 2,034 EUR. Cost risk if you lose: 5,175 EUR (about 26% of the amount in dispute).
Sources · E-E-A-T
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.
Law
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