Polski
УкраїнськаStarting a civil case: costs in 2026, court fees and lawyer's fees
indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index
Starting a civil case costs the amount of the court fee for filing a claim: in cases with a fixed fee, this ranges from PLN 30 to PLN 10,000, while in monetary claims the fee increases with the value of the claim. There is also usually the cost of a lawyer: legal advice costs a median of PLN 300, while representation by an advocate in a civil case costs about PLN 2,500.
At a glance (as at 5 October 2026)
- The fixed fee for filing a claim in a civil case ranges from PLN 30 to PLN 10,000, depending on the type of case.
- In claims for payment, the filing fee depends on the value of the claim: for the smallest amounts it is PLN 30, while for larger amounts it is a percentage of the value in dispute.
- Legal advice before filing a claim usually costs PLN 200 ‑ 300 for one consultation.
- Representation by an advocate in a civil case costs about PLN 2,500, while handling the entire case for a fixed fee costs about PLN 3,000.
- Legal advice rates come from 5 public law firm price lists collected by indekscen.pl.
The question “how much does it cost to start a civil case?” has two answers. The first is the court fee for filing a claim, which must always be paid unless the court grants an exemption from costs. The second covers everything that comes later: a lawyer, an expert witness and travel to hearings. We break down both bills based on official fees and law firm price lists. This is a cost comparison, not legal advice: consult an advocate or legal adviser about your case.
How much does it cost to start a civil case?
In 2026, starting a civil case costs from PLN 30 to PLN 10,000 in fixed filing fees if the case does not concern a specific sum of money. This is set out in the regulations on court costs quoted by courts on their websites. If you are claiming payment, the fee is calculated based on the value in dispute, meaning the amount you are seeking: fixed bands apply to small claims, while larger claims are charged a percentage of that amount.
The fee is paid when the claim is filed: by bank transfer to the court’s account, at the court’s cashier’s office or using court fee stamps. If the fee is not paid, the court will return the claim or request payment by a specified deadline. Details and quotations are available at initiating a civil case (filing a claim).
„Opłata stała nie może być niższa niż 30 złotych i wyższa niż 10 000 złotych.”
Sąd Okręgowy w Elblągu, source
„Opłata stała nie może być niższa niż 30 złotych i wyższa niż 10 000 złotych.”
Kancelaria RESPO, source
What types of filing fees are there?
Court fees in civil cases fall into three categories. The applicable category depends on the type of case:
- Fixed fee. An amount set in advance by statute, ranging from PLN 30 to PLN 10,000. It applies to non-pecuniary cases and certain pecuniary cases, such as those concerning the protection of personal rights, divorce or eviction.
- Proportional fee. Calculated according to the value in dispute in cases concerning money or property. For the smallest claims it is PLN 30. For larger claims, the fee increases in bands, and above the statutory threshold it is a specified percentage of the amount claimed.
- Basic fee. Charged for documents for which the regulations do not provide another fee.
In electronic payment order proceedings (e‑court), the filing fee for a claim for payment is one-quarter of the standard fee. This is a cheaper route for undisputed debts, such as unpaid invoices.
How much does it cost to start a civil compensation case?
Starting a civil compensation case requires payment of a proportional fee, calculated according to the amount of compensation sought in the claim. The higher the claim, the higher the fee, so for substantial losses the filing fee alone may exceed the upper limit of the fixed fee (PLN 10,000). Compensation cases also often require an expert witness, such as a doctor, vehicle assessor or construction expert, in which case the court will request an advance payment for the expert opinion.
It is therefore worth assessing whether the amount claimed is realistic before filing. An inflated claim increases the fee, and if the court awards less, you may have to bear part of the costs yourself.
How much does a civil defamation case cost?
A civil defamation case is usually treated as a case concerning the protection of personal rights, for which a fixed fee ranging from PLN 30 to PLN 10,000 is charged. In this situation, the fee does not depend on the extent of the damage to the person’s reputation. If you are seeking financial compensation as well as an apology, ask a lawyer how the fee should be calculated in your case.
It is important to distinguish civil proceedings from criminal proceedings. Defamation is also an offence prosecuted by private prosecution, but this is a separate procedure with different fees. The choice of procedure is a decision best discussed during a legal consultation.
How much does a lawyer charge for a civil case?
A lawyer usually charges considerably more for a civil case than the court fee. According to law firm price lists collected by indekscen.pl, legal advice costs a median of PLN 300 per consultation, while representation by an advocate in a civil case costs about PLN 2,500.
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed filing fee | from PLN 30 to PLN 10,000 | depending on the type of case |
| Filing fee for a claim for payment, smallest claims | PLN 30 | increases with the value in dispute |
| Legal advice before filing a claim | PLN 200 ‑ 300 | one consultation lasting 30 to 60 minutes |
| Representation by an advocate in a civil case | about PLN 2,500 | law firm price list |
| Handling the entire court case for a fixed fee | about PLN 3,000 | scope depends on the agreement |
| Advocate’s hourly rate | about 250 PLN/h | usually plus VAT |
| Stamp duty on a power of attorney | PLN 17 | when a lawyer acts as your representative |
| Service | Median | Typically | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal advice | PLN 300 | PLN 200 ‑ 300 | 5 |
| Mediation | PLN 225 | PLN 215 ‑ 240 | 2 |
Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.
For more information about consultation fees, see the article how much does legal advice from an advocate cost. Anyone unable to pay for a lawyer can use free legal assistance, usually available at centres run by county (powiat) offices, or apply to the court for a court-appointed lawyer.
Who pays court costs in civil cases?
As a general rule, court costs in civil cases are borne by the losing party, which must reimburse the successful party for the filing fee, expert witness expenses and legal representation costs within the limits set by the court. At the outset, however, the person filing the claim must pay. If each party succeeds in part, the court divides the costs proportionately or orders each side to bear its own costs.
This is important when calculating the potential expense. If you lose, you may have to pay both your own lawyer and the other party’s costs. Before filing a claim, ask a lawyer about your realistic chances of success and the total cost in the worst-case scenario.
How long do you have to start a civil case?
The time available to start a civil case is determined by the limitation period for the claim. Under Polish law, this is generally 6 years, or 3 years for recurring claims and claims connected with business activity. For compensation arising from a tort, the period is usually calculated from the date on which the injured party learned of the damage and the identity of the person liable for remedying it. There are exceptions and specific rules for calculating these periods, so confirm the deadline with a lawyer in your particular case before paying the filing fee.
What do you need to start a civil case?
To start a civil case, you need to file a statement of claim with the appropriate court, pay the fee and provide evidence. Step by step:
- Identify the court. Smaller cases go to a district court and larger cases, as well as certain types of proceedings, go to a regional court, usually based on the defendant’s place of residence.
- Prepare the statement of claim. Include the parties’ details, the remedy sought, the value in dispute in monetary claims, the grounds for the claim and the evidence.
- Attach documents. Contracts, invoices, correspondence, photographs and medical records: everything supporting the claim, plus copies for the other party.
- Pay the fee or apply for an exemption from costs.
- Consider mediation. mediation usually costs PLN 215 ‑ 240 per session, and reaching a settlement can be quicker than a trial.
Family cases have their own rules and fees. We cover divorce costs in the article how much does a divorce cost.
You can find more prices for legal and official services in the law and public authorities category.
The amounts in this article come from official fees published by courts and public price lists from law firms and mediators. Each amount is accompanied by its source, date and a verbatim quotation on the service page. Data as at: 5 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a civil case?
Za samo założenie sprawy cywilnej płaci się opłatę sądową od pozwu. W sprawach z opłatą stałą to od PLN 30 do PLN 10,000, w sprawach o zapłatę opłata zależy od kwoty, której żądasz.
How much does a lawyer charge for a compensation case?
Kancelarie wyceniają sprawy o odszkodowanie różnie: stałą kwotą, stawką godzinową (u adwokata około 250 PLN/h) albo prowizją od uzyskanej kwoty. Reprezentacja w sprawie cywilnej to w cennikach około PLN 2,500.
Can you avoid paying the filing fee?
Można złożyć wniosek o zwolnienie od kosztów sądowych, dołączając oświadczenie o stanie rodzinnym, majątku i dochodach. O zwolnieniu decyduje sąd; bez zwolnienia opłata stała wynosi od PLN 30 do PLN 10,000.
How much does a power of attorney cost in a civil case?
Od pełnomocnictwa udzielonego adwokatowi lub radcy prawnemu płaci się opłatę skarbową PLN 17. Wyjątkiem jest pełnomocnictwo dla najbliższej rodziny, które jest zwolnione z opłaty.
Is mediation cheaper than going to court?
Posiedzenie mediacyjne kosztuje zwykle PLN 215 ‑ 240, a sądowa mediacja w sprawie majątkowej za całość postępowania około PLN 2,150. Ugoda przed mediatorem zatwierdzona przez sąd kończy spór bez wieloletniego procesu.
Check prices with sources
Every amount quoted in the article has a source, date and verbatim quote from the price list on the service page.
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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