Austria raises court fees by 5.7% amid lawyer protests

Effective 1 August 2026 Austria increased its standard court fees by another 5.7 percent, following a 23 percent rise enacted in April 2025. The adjustment is triggered by a statutory mechanism that lifts fees whenever the consumer‑price index exceeds 5 percent, a condition met recently. Justice Minister Anna Sporrer (SPÖ) signed the regulation, which can only be suspended by the National Council – a step taken twice during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Lawyers sharply criticised the hike, with Armenak Utudjian, president of the Austrian Bar Association, warning that the increase further restricts access to justice and that Austria is the only European country where the judiciary collects more money than it costs to run. He noted that excess revenues are transferred to the finance minister while the courts face staff shortages and budget shortfalls, describing the situation as "unconstitutional" and calling for a freeze on fee rises.