Advocate training: 2026 costs, duration and all fees

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

Advocate training lasts 3 years, and the annual training fee in 2026 is 6,500 PLN/year, which comes to about PLN 20,000 for the entire training period. There are also two exams: the entrance exam, costing PLN 1,125, and the advocate exam after training, costing PLN 3,364, as well as bar association fees set by each regional bar association.

Advocate training consists of three years of professional training after a law degree, and its cost is not limited to the annual fee. There are also two exams, bar association fees and living costs during a period when a trainee usually earns less than an experienced lawyer. We bring all the fees together in one place, using data from regional bar association announcements for 2026, and compare advocate training with legal adviser and notary training.

How much does advocate training cost in 2026?

The annual fee for advocate training in 2026 is 6,500 PLN/year. It is the same in every regional bar association because the amount is set by law. This is confirmed by announcements from the 2 regional bar associations collected by indekscen.pl. Over three years, the annual fees alone come to about PLN 20,000, provided the rate does not increase in subsequent years.

The full cost of qualifying for the profession includes several items:

Item	Amount	When you pay
Entrance exam for advocate training	PLN 1,125	once, before the exam
Annual advocate training fee	6,500 PLN/year	every year, often in instalments
Annual fees for 3 years	about PLN 20,000	throughout the training period
Advocate exam	PLN 3,364	once, after completing the training
Bar association fees	set by each regional association	monthly or annually

We do not combine these items into a single total because the rates change every year. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that the training itself is the largest expense, while the two exams together cost less than one annual fee.

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

How long does advocate training take?

Advocate training lasts 3 years and begins on 1 January of the year following the entrance exam. After completing it, the trainee takes the advocate exam and, after passing, may apply for admission to the roll of advocates. From the entrance exam to admission, the entire process usually takes about four years.

During the training period, the trainee works under a supervising advocate who provides their practical training and attends classes organised by the regional bar association. The regulations allow the training period to be extended in special circumstances, such as illness or parental leave.

How much does the entrance exam for advocate training cost?

The entrance exam for advocate training costs PLN 1,125, the same as the entrance exam for notary training (PLN 1,125). The fee must be paid into the Ministry of Justice’s bank account before the exam. If you fail, you must pay it again when retaking the exam the following year.

The entrance exam is a single-choice test covering many areas of law. It is held once a year, usually in autumn. Many candidates prepare using paid preparatory courses and question sets. We do not have price data for these courses in our index, so we do not provide any figures.

Is the entrance exam for advocate training difficult?

The entrance exam for advocate training is demanding because it covers a broad range of legislation, and the questions test detailed knowledge of statutes. The test has 150 questions, and at least 100 correct answers are needed to pass. As each attempt requires another payment of PLN 1,125, it pays to prepare well the first time.

The advocate exam after training is more difficult. It consists of several written sections in which candidates must prepare pleadings and legal opinions in different areas of law. The fee in 2026 is PLN 3,364.

Advocate, legal adviser or notary training: which is cheaper?

In 2026, advocate, legal adviser and notary training all have the same annual fee: 6,500 PLN/year. They differ in duration and rules, and therefore in total cost:

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

• Advocate training: 3 years at 6,500 PLN/year per year, totalling about PLN 20,000.
• Legal adviser training: 3 years at 6,500 PLN/year per year, plus a monthly membership fee for the legal advisers’ professional association, for example 30 PLN/month in Wrocław.
• Notary training: 3 years at 6,500 PLN/year per year and a fourth year costing 3,250 PLN/year. Read more about the cost of notarial services in our article how much does a notary cost.

The choice between becoming an advocate and a legal adviser is driven more by career plans than training costs, as the fees are almost identical. It is worth comparing the fees charged by the regional association where you intend to train, as each sets its own rates.

What does advocate training involve?

During the three-year advocate training period, trainees combine work at their supervising advocate’s law firm with training sessions at the regional bar association. The typical process is:

1. Entrance exam and a resolution by the regional bar council admitting the candidate to the register of advocate trainees.
2. Choosing a supervising advocate and working at a law firm: drafting documents, handling client matters and attending hearings.
3. Classes at the regional bar association: lectures, workshops and assessments covering successive areas of law.
4. Placements at courts and public prosecutors’ offices as part of the training programme.
5. Representing an advocate in court to the extent permitted by law after completing the required period of training.
6. Advocate exam after completing the training, followed by admission to the roll of advocates.

The regional bar council where you undertake your training provides the detailed schedule and payment deadlines.

Is advocate training worth it?

Advocate training costs about PLN 20,000 in annual fees alone, spread over three years, and opens the way to practising independently. Whether this investment pays off depends on your specialisation, city and whether you establish your own law firm after training or work for a larger firm. We do not have data on the earnings of advocates or trainees, so we do not provide any figures.

For an indication of how experienced lawyers price their work, the median fee for legal advice is PLN 300, while advocates charging by the hour start at about 250 PLN/h. When considering the full cost, however, you should also remember the time involved: three years of study and exams alongside work at a law firm is a major commitment that should be planned together with your budget.

How should you plan for the cost of advocate training?

• Pay the fee in instalments. Regional bar associations allow the annual fee to be paid in instalments, making it easier to budget on a trainee’s salary.
• Ask your law firm to contribute to the training fee. Some employers cover all or part of their trainees’ annual fee.
• Allow for regional bar association fees and the cost of study materials, law books and courses before the advocate exam.
• Check the rate for the next year. The fee is set separately for each training year and has risen in recent years.

If you are not planning to undertake professional legal training but are looking for a lawyer, read our article on how much legal advice from an advocate costs. legal advice usually costs PLN 200 ‑ 300.

„Opłata za aplikację adwokacką za rok 2026 wynosi 6 500 złotych.”

Pomorska Izba Adwokacka w Gdańsku, 2026, source

„Opłata za aplikację adwokacką w roku szkoleniowym 2026 wynosi 6.500 zł”

Izba Adwokacka w Szczecinie, 2026, source

Unlike an announcement from a single regional association, we present all the fees side by side and compare three types of professional legal training. You can find more prices for training and courses in the education and courses category. The rules governing advocate training are set by law, so contact your regional bar council about individual circumstances.

The amounts in this article come from public announcements by regional associations of advocates, notaries and legal advisers, as well as legal articles. Each price on the service page includes its source, date and a verbatim quotation.

Frequently asked questions

How many years does professional legal training take?

Aplikacja adwokacka i radcowska trwają po 3 lata, a notarialna 3 lata i 6 miesięcy. Opłata roczna za każdą z nich wynosi w 2026 roku 6,500 PLN/year, a za ostatni, niepełny rok aplikacji notarialnej 3,250 PLN/year.

Can the advocate training fee be paid in instalments?

Tak, izby adwokackie rozkładają opłatę roczną 6,500 PLN/year na raty, na przykład Pomorska Izba Adwokacka na 10 rat. Terminy i numer konta podaje okręgowa rada adwokacka.

How much do advocate trainees earn?

Wynagrodzenie aplikanta zależy od umowy z kancelarią i miasta, a nie od przepisów o aplikacji. Nie mamy danych o zarobkach aplikantów, więc nie podajemy kwot.

How much does one hour with an advocate cost?

Przy rozliczeniu godzinowym adwokaci biorą zwykle od około 250 PLN/h, a jednorazowa porada prawna to mediana PLN 300.

How much does admission to the roll of advocates cost?

Kosztu wpisu na listę adwokatów nie mamy w indeksie. Po zdanym egzaminie adwokackim dochodzą składki członkowskie izby, których wysokość ustala każda izba, więc zapytaj o nie w swojej okręgowej radzie adwokackiej.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

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