Court Fees Calculator for Civil Cases in Bulgaria
Short answer
How much is the court fee for filing a claim in Bulgaria?
The state fee for a statement of claim for a sum of money is 4% of the amount claimed, but not less than €25.56 (Art. 1 of the Tariff of State Fees under the Civil Procedure Code). For an application for an order for payment, the fee is 2%, but not less than €12.78 (Art. 12). For a €10,000 claim, the fee is €400; for an order for payment, €200. An appeal costs half of the first-instance fee.
| Fee for the order for payment (2%) | — |
|---|---|
| Fee for the statement of claim (4%) | — |
| Top-up to the claim fee under Art. 422 CPC | — |
| Fee for examining the appeal (50%) | — |
| Fee payable when filing the cassation appeal | — |
| Total state fees | — |
Employees in labour cases pay no state fees or court costs (Art. 359 Labour Code).
This is an approximate amount. If you win, the court as a rule orders the other party to reimburse your fees and costs in proportion to the part of the claim that is upheld.
The calculator gives an approximate amount under the Tariff of State Fees Collected by the Courts under the Civil Procedure Code (as amended, State Gazette No. 18 of 2026), for monetary claims. It does not include lawyer's fees, enforcement agent fees, or the costs of experts and witnesses. The exact fee is determined by the court. The result is not legal advice.
How is the state court fee calculated?
For monetary claims, the fee is proportional – a percentage of the amount claimed. The Tariff also sets a minimum below which the fee does not fall. The fee is paid in advance: the court will not proceed with the claim or the appeal until it has been paid.
- Statement of claim: 4% of the amount claimed, but not less than €25.56 (Art. 1 of the Tariff).
- Application for an order for payment under Art. 410 or Art. 417 of the Civil Procedure Code: 2% of the amount, but not less than €12.78 (Art. 12).
- Claim under Art. 422 of the Civil Procedure Code after the debtor objects: you pay the difference between the fee already paid for the order and the fee for claim proceedings (Art. 415(4) CPC).
- Appeal: 50% of the first-instance fee, calculated on the amount appealed (Art. 18(1)).
- Cassation appeal: €15.34 for the decision on admissibility, payable on filing, plus 50% of the first-instance fee if the appeal is admitted for examination (Art. 18(2)).
Non-monetary claims and other fees
Some claims have no monetary value, and the Tariff sets fixed fees for them. The calculator does not cover these, but here are the approximate amounts:
- Divorce claim: €12.78 on filing and up to €25.56 when the judgment is given.
- Divorce by mutual consent: up to €20.45.
- Other non-monetary claims: from €15.34 to €40.90, depending on the type of claim.
- Partition of property: 4% of the value of the shares, or 2% on a settlement before the partition record (Art. 8 of the Tariff).
- Lawyer's fees and enforcement agent fees are not state fees and are not included in the calculation.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays the court fee?
The fee is paid in advance by the party filing the claim, application or appeal. If you win, the court as a rule orders the losing party to reimburse your fees and lawyer's costs in proportion to the part of the claim that is upheld (Art. 78 CPC).
Why is only the difference paid for a claim under Art. 422 CPC?
Because the 2% fee paid for the order for payment is credited. After the debtor objects, you only top up the difference to the fee for claim proceedings (4%). In total, you pay the same fee as if you had filed a claim straight away.
Does an employee pay fees in a labour case?
No. Employees pay no state fees or court costs in labour disputes (Art. 359 Labour Code). The employer pays fees under the general rules.
Can I be exempted from the court fee if I cannot afford it?
Possibly. An individual without sufficient means can ask the court for an exemption from fees (Art. 83(2) CPC). The court considers the applicant's income, assets, family situation and health, so an exemption is not guaranteed.
Which costs does the calculator not include?
Lawyer's fees, enforcement agent fees, deposits for experts and witnesses, and the costs of translation and of serving documents abroad. They depend on the specific case, and we discuss them with you in advance.
If you live abroad or are not a Bulgarian citizen
Many cases before Bulgarian courts are brought by foreigners with a claim or dispute in Bulgaria and by people who live outside the country. Here is what matters for court fees and costs in these situations.
I live outside Bulgaria. How do I pay the court fee?
The fee is paid by bank transfer to the account of the competent court, including by transfer from abroad. Proof of payment is attached to the claim or appeal. If you have a lawyer in Bulgaria, they can pay the fee on your behalf.
I am a foreigner. Do I pay higher fees than Bulgarian citizens?
No. The Tariff applies equally to all parties, regardless of nationality or place of residence. There may be additional costs for translating documents and for serving papers abroad.
The debtor is in another EU country. Is there a simpler procedure?
For cross-border disputes within the EU, there is the European Small Claims Procedure (up to €5,000) and the European order for payment. Separate fee rules apply to them, so the calculator does not cover them. Which procedure is suitable depends on the claim and on the debtor's country.
Can I get legal aid in a cross-border dispute within the EU?
Under Directive 2002/8/EC, a person living in one EU country who has a case in another can, as a rule, apply for legal aid on the same terms as local residents. Legal aid may also cover court fees. Whether you qualify depends on your income and the circumstances of the case.
I have a judgment from a foreign court. Does it need to be recognised in Bulgaria?
Judgments of courts in EU countries in civil and commercial matters are usually recognised and enforced in Bulgaria without a separate procedure. Judgments from non-EU countries generally have to be recognised by the Sofia City Court, unless an international treaty provides otherwise. Recognition also involves a state fee.
I won the case, but the losing party lives abroad. Can I recover my costs?
A judgment awarding you fees and costs can also be enforced abroad. Within the EU this usually happens without a separate procedure; outside the EU, it depends on the law of the country concerned and on international treaties. Whether collection is realistic also depends on the debtor's assets.
What about judgments from the UK or the USA?
Since Brexit, UK judgments no longer benefit from the EU rules on automatic recognition, and US judgments never did. As a rule, they have to be recognised by the Sofia City Court under the Bulgarian Private International Law Code, unless a treaty provides otherwise. We will check the options for your specific judgment.
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