What are the court fees in the Netherlands?

Dutch term: Griffierecht | Legal basis: Wet griffierechten burgerlijke zaken

Court fees (griffierecht) in the Netherlands are set by law and depend on the amount in dispute and the status of the party (individual or legal entity). For commercial claims at the District Court level, company fees range from a few hundred euro for small claims to several thousand euro for claims above 100,000 euro.

Both claimants and defendants pay court fees in civil chamber proceedings. Cantonal Division fees are lower. The Netherlands Commercial Court (NCC) charges substantially higher fees, reflecting its specialised nature. Court fees are paid at the start of the proceedings and are included in the cost allocation at the end: the losing party is typically ordered to reimburse the winning party's court fees.

Why it matters for international businesses

By international standards, Dutch court fees are modest. They should not be the deciding factor in whether to pursue a claim. The real cost of litigation is lawyer fees, not court fees.