How much does a divorce cost in Poland? A complete guide to court fees

Once the decision to divorce has been made, the practical side of things needs to be addressed. One of the first questions people ask when planning to file a divorce petition is about the costs. How much needs to be paid? Can a fee exemption be obtained? What happens if the petition is not paid for? The answers follow, step by step.

Table of contents

1. The basic court fee for a divorce petition
2. What if you cannot afford the court fee?
3. How and where to pay the fee
4. What happens if the petition is not paid for?
5. Other costs in divorce proceedings
6. The cost of an advocate or legal counsel
7. FAQ

The basic court fee for a divorce petition

The court fee for a divorce petition is PLN 600. This is a fixed fee – the same regardless of the value of the parties’ assets, the length of the marriage, or the court to which the petition is filed. It applies in every regional court (sąd okręgowy) in Poland.

Importantly, there is no automatic exemption from the fee in divorce cases. The position is different, for example, in maintenance cases (where the claimant is exempt by operation of law) or in employment disputes. In divorce proceedings, every party is as a general rule required to pay the fee, regardless of their financial situation.

The only exception is where the court grants the party an exemption from court costs – as discussed further below.

What if you cannot afford the court fee?

A person who is unable to meet court costs without detriment to the necessary maintenance of themselves and their family may apply for an exemption from court costs – in whole or in part. Such an application can be included directly in the divorce petition.

A declaration of financial circumstances on the official court form must be attached to the application. When completing the form, it is worth including all actual expenditure: loan repayments, utility bills, food, medication, cleaning products, clothing, and all other regular outgoings. The fuller the picture of the financial situation, the better documented the application.

Where an exemption is granted, the party pays neither the petition fee nor any subsequent costs of the proceedings – such as expert reports or witness expenses. The decision rests with the court.

How and where to pay the fee

The court fee can be paid in two ways: by bank transfer to the account of the competent regional court (the account number is available on the court’s website), or by purchasing a court revenue stamp (znak sądowy) to the value of PLN 600 – either online or at the court cashier’s office.

Proof of payment (a printed bank transfer confirmation or the revenue stamp) must be attached to the petition. The mere fact that the payment has been made is not sufficient – without the attached proof, the petition will have a formal deficiency. It is worth stating in the transfer reference that the payment is for a divorce petition and including the names of the parties.

What happens if the petition is not paid for?

Where a petition is filed without payment and without an application for a fee exemption, the court will issue a notice requiring the formal deficiency to be remedied. The deadline for doing so is seven days from the date of service of the notice. If the fee is received within that period, the case proceeds. If not, the court returns the petition and does not hear the case.

It is worth noting that a professional legal representative (an advocate or legal counsel) who files a petition is required to pay the fee at the same time – if they do not, the petition is returned without any notice being issued.

Other costs in divorce proceedings

In addition to the petition fee, further costs may arise in the course of the proceedings.

Stamp duty on the power of attorney is PLN 17 and is payable to the bank account of the city authority (urząd miasta) in which the court is located. It applies where a party is represented by an advocate or legal counsel.

The fee for an application for the written reasons of a judgment is PLN 100, introduced by the 2019 amendment to the Code of Civil Procedure. If you wish to know the reasoning behind the court’s decision or are planning to appeal, you must file an application for written reasons and pay this fee. Where an appeal is successful, this fee is credited against the appeal fee.

An expert report may be required where, for example, the court needs a valuation of the joint marital assets in the course of deciding an application for their division within the divorce proceedings. Not every divorce case involves this cost.

The cost of an advocate or legal counsel

Legal representation fees are a separate matter from court fees and depend on the law office and the complexity of the case. Polish law does not impose fixed rates for legal assistance in divorce cases. In our experience, investing in professional legal help frequently leads to a better outcome – particularly in cases where arrangements for children, maintenance, or the division of assets are being decided.

FAQ

How much is the court fee for a divorce petition in Poland? PLN 600 – a fixed fee, the same in every court in Poland, regardless of the circumstances of the case.

Can a fee exemption be obtained for a divorce? Yes – on an application included in the petition, supported by a declaration of financial circumstances. The court grants an exemption to a person who is unable to meet the costs without detriment to the necessary maintenance of themselves and their family.

What happens if I file the petition without paying the fee? The court will issue a notice requiring the formal deficiency to be remedied within seven days. If the fee is not received within that period, the petition is returned.

Do I have to pay for the written reasons of the judgment? Yes – an application for written reasons is subject to a fee of PLN 100. This is necessary if you are planning to appeal or wish to know the reasoning behind the decision.

When does the cost of an expert arise in divorce proceedings? The cost of an expert report arises where the court orders a valuation of the joint marital assets or commissions another expert assessment. This is not required in every divorce case.

Is a full exemption from court costs possible? An exemption from court costs covers the petition fee and other court costs (such as expert reports and witness expenses). It does not cover the cost of legal representation – unless the court additionally grants the right to a court-appointed lawyer (pełnomocnik z urzędu).

I am a foreign national – do the same fees apply to my divorce in Poland? Yes. The court fees described in this article apply to all divorce proceedings before Polish courts, regardless of the parties’ nationality. Where the Polish court has jurisdiction over the divorce, the standard fee of PLN 600 applies. Questions about which court has jurisdiction in cross-border cases – for example where the spouses are of different nationalities or live in different countries – are governed by EU Regulation Brussels IIb (2019/1111). Legal advice on jurisdiction is recommended before filing.

Questions about the costs of divorce proceedings? Call: +48 531 335 713 or email: kancelaria@prawnikodrozwodu.pl

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every family law case is individual and requires analysis of the specific facts and documents involved. The law firm accepts no liability for actions taken on the basis of the information contained in this article. For advice tailored to your situation, please contact our office.

Kancelaria Prawa Rodzinnego (Family Law Office): Adwokat Michalina Koligot, Adwokat Marta Krzyżanowicz, Adwokat Anna Konrady, Radca prawny Joanna Jędrzejewska ul. Mickiewicza 18a/3, 60-834 Poznań | tel. +48 531 335 713 | kancelaria@prawnikodrozwodu.pl | www.prawnikodrozwodu.pl