According to information published this week, court fees reached 216,667,753.33 euros in the last year, significantly lower than the 238 million euros of the previous year, but in line with the amounts collected in 2021 (217,533,001.82 euros) and 2020 (215,995,994.27 euros), years marked by strong constraints on the functioning of courts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The value of 216.6 million euros is the third lowest of the last decade, only smaller than those recorded in 2020 and 2014, the latter being the lowest value in that period, with approximately 197.2 million euros collected by the State in court fees. Conversely, the maximum amount of court fees in the last ten years was recorded in 2018, with about 264.8 million euros.
Among the fees paid in courts, there are different categories, with the most significant in 2023 being the justice fees paid by taxpayers in their processes, reaching 114.8 million euros. Other significant portions belong to payments to entities, with 47.2 million euros, or reimbursements, with 26.8 million euros.
When asked by Lusa about the reasons for the decrease in the amount of court fees paid in 2023, the Ministry of Justice stated that it was still gathering information on this matter.
Regarding the objective of promoting a reform of the procedural costs regulation, foreseen in the Government’s program, which also argued that “the high amount of court fees represents an obstacle to citizens’ access to Justice,” the Ministry led by Rita Alarcão Júdice assured that it is “already working on a concrete project for a comprehensive revision that addresses the amount and form of collection of fees.”
“The Deputy Secretary of State for Justice [Maria Clara Figueiredo] created a working group and determined the presentation of a proposal to revise the Procedural Costs Regulation (and all related legislation, if necessary) by the end of the first semester of 2025 (June 30, 2025). This working group is tasked with seeking solutions that promote access to Law and Justice,” clarified the Ministry of Justice.