In one sentence
For consumers, the initial consultation is capped at 190 euros plus VAT; all further legal fees are based on the amount in dispute — and it's best to work out whether seeing a lawyer is worthwhile before you spend the first euro.
The initial consultation is capped – at 190 euros
The most common question is: what does a lawyer cost for a first conversation? For consumers, there's a clear upper limit. Under Section 34 RVG, the fee for an initial consultation may not exceed 190 euros plus VAT. This cap protects you from a first orientation conversation spiralling out of control. Many firms offer a flat fee for this anyway, or later credit the initial consultation against a full mandate — ask in advance. That makes the cost of the initial consultation with a lawyer the one item you can reliably know in advance.
The RVG explained: the amount in dispute determines the fee
Once a lawyer takes on your matter, their fee is governed by the Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz (RVG, the Attorney Remuneration Act). The principle is simple: a table in the RVG assigns a fixed fee rate to every amount in dispute – so RVG fees rise with the amount in dispute. Out-of-court representation costs less than court proceedings, where additional proceedings and hearing fees apply. We deliberately don't quote specific amounts here; the authoritative table is set out in the statute itself — with our free RVG/GKG calculator you can work out an estimate based on your own amount in dispute, no sign-up required. Important: the amount in dispute isn't the sum you'd like to receive, but the economic value of the dispute. We explain terms like "amount in dispute" and "fee rate" in our glossary.
The full risk: if you lose, you pay more
In court, you don't just bear your own costs. As a rule, the losing party also pays the court costs and the other side's legal fees. A modest fee of your own can quickly turn into several times that amount. It's exactly this total risk — your own costs plus court costs plus the other side's costs — that you should know before you file a claim. It's the main reason why litigation often doesn't pay off for small amounts in dispute.
Who ends up paying: reimbursement, insurance, state assistance
Legal fees — who pays? That depends on the outcome and your situation:
- If you win: as a rule, the losing party bears the costs, and you get your necessary expenses reimbursed.
- Legal expenses insurance: if you have it and it covers the case, it covers the bulk of the cost — check your coverage and excess in advance.
- Beratungshilfe (advice assistance): for out-of-court advice if you have a low income. Eligibility depends on your income and assets; the court checks the exact thresholds.
- Prozesskostenhilfe (PKH, legal aid): covers the costs of proceedings if you're in need and your claim has sufficient prospects of success.
Is it worth it for small amounts in dispute?
For low amounts, the honest answer is often: it depends on whether your case has substance. For a cancelled or significantly delayed flight, for example, the EU air passenger rights regulation provides for 250, 400, or 600 euros (the exact amount depends on flight distance: flight compensation calculator) – here, arbitration through söp can be the faster and cheaper route. Whether a lawyer is worthwhile is decided by the prospects of success, not gut feeling. Our 60-second initial assessment, no account required, assesses your case before you pay anything — we've evaluated how good such tools really are in How Good Is Free AI Legal Advice?.
The next step: a law firm or representing yourself
If your case has substance, you have two options. With the one-click handover, we pass your already pre-qualified information on to a suitable law firm — the initial consultation stays capped at the 190 euros mentioned above. Or, for simple cases, you represent yourself: the letter assistant and process companion guide you step by step, with 10 free credits when you register. In the end, what a lawyer costs depends on your case – knowing the figures and the prospects of success beforehand lets you decide with a clearer head.
