GermanyWhat Are the Filing Fees for Small Claims in Germany?
Filing fees for small claims in Germany (up to €5,000) range from €35 to €143, calculated as a percentage of the claim value under the Gerichtskostengesetz (GKG).
What the Law Says
Small claims in Germany fall under the jurisdiction of the Amtsgericht (local court) and are governed by the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) and the Gerichtskostengesetz (GKG). Fees are not flat but scale with the value in dispute.
Under § 3 GKG, court fees for civil proceedings—including small claims—are determined using a statutory fee schedule (Anlage 1 zu § 3 GKG). For monetary claims up to €5,000, the fee is calculated as a percentage of the claimed amount, rounded to the nearest €5. The minimum fee is €35 (for claims up to €500), rising progressively: e.g., €70 for €1,000, €105 for €2,500, and €143 for €5,000.
The Mahnverfahren (dunning procedure) offers a lower-cost alternative for undisputed monetary claims: a standard fee of €28 applies for claims up to €5,000 (§ 12 GKG, Anlage 1 Nr. 1001). If the debtor objects, the case converts to ordinary litigation—and fees adjust accordingly.
Statutory TextCourt costs for civil actions shall be determined according to the value in dispute and the provisions of this Act.
— Gerichtskostengesetz (GKG), § 3(1)
Statutory TextThe dunning procedure fee for a claim up to €5,000 amounts to €28.
— GKG, Anlage 1, Nr. 1001
What to Do
Determine the exact value of your claim (including interest and ancillary costs if enforceable).
Use the official GKG fee calculator (available via Bundesministerium der Justiz or local Amtsgericht websites) or consult Anlage 1 to § 3 GKG.
File via the electronic legal mailbox (beA) or submit paper forms at the competent Amtsgericht—fees must be paid upon filing to avoid dismissal (ZPO § 269).
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Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-10-05.