If you are involved in a real estate dispute, hiring a real estate lawyer can be essential to protect your rights. However, legal costs can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and whether the dispute goes to court. Fortunately, many homeowners can use legal protection insurance (rättsskydd) to cover a large part of the costs.
Below, we explain how much a real estate lawyer costs, what factors affect legal fees, and how to use rättsskydd to reduce expenses.
How Much Does a Real Estate Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a real estate lawyer in Sweden depends on several factors, including the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and whether the dispute is settled out of court or goes to district court (tingsrätten).
Hourly Rates for Real Estate Lawyers
Hourly fees can vary greatly, sometimes for no obvious reason. Rates are usually 2,000–6,000 SEK per hour.
Some lawyers offer fixed prices for specific legal services, but for complex cases, costs are usually billed per hour.
Typical Legal Costs for Different Real Estate Disputes
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Legal Consultation
- Initial consultation (1 hour): 1,500–3,000 SEK
- Includes advice on your rights, responsibilities, and next steps.
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Negotiation and Mediation
- 5,000–25,000 SEK
- If your lawyer negotiates with the other party to settle the dispute out of court, the cost is significantly lower than a lawsuit.
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Filing a Legal Claim in District Court
- 20,000–50,000 SEK+
- If negotiations fail, your lawyer will prepare and file a lawsuit (stämningsansökan).
- Includes legal research, evidence gathering, and court representation.
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Full Court Case (Including Hearing and Judgment)
- 50,000–150,000 SEK+
- A complex real estate case that requires expert witnesses, multiple hearings, and extensive legal work can be costly.
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Appeal to the Court of Appeal (Kammarrätten)
- 100,000–200,000 SEK+
- If you lose in district court and want to appeal, costs increase due to additional legal work.
How to Reduce Legal Costs with Rättsskydd (Legal Protection Insurance)
Many home insurance policies in Sweden include rättsskydd, which helps cover legal costs in real estate disputes.
What Does Rättsskydd Cover?
- Up to 80% of legal costs (lawyer fees, court costs, expert assessments).
- Applies to disputes over hidden defects, contract issues, and property damage.
What Costs Are Not Covered?
- Deductible (självrisk): Usually 20% of total legal costs.
- Maximum coverage limit: Often 250,000–500,000 SEK, depending on the insurance policy.
- Cases with low financial value: Some policies require a minimum dispute value (e.g., 50,000 SEK).
How to Use Rättsskydd for a Real Estate Dispute
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Contact a Real Estate Lawyer and ask about Rättsskydd
- The lawyer will review your case and confirm whether rättsskydd applies.
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The Lawyer Submits the Claim to Your Insurance Provider
- The lawyer handles all paperwork with the insurance company.
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Insurance Company Approves or Denies the Claim
- If approved, 80% of legal costs are covered (up to the policy limit).
- If denied, you may need to pay legal costs yourself or apply for legal aid (rättshjälp) if you have low income.
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Proceed with the Case
- If rättsskydd is granted, your lawyer continues handling negotiations or court proceedings.
When is Rättsskydd Not Available?
You may not qualify for rättsskydd if:
- You did not have home insurance when the dispute started.
- The case is considered too minor (dispute value under the policy limit).
- You had a previous real estate dispute covered by your insurance within the last few years.
If you don’t qualify for rättsskydd, you may be eligible for state-funded legal aid (rättshjälp) if you have low income.
Summary – What You Need to Know About Real Estate Lawyer Costs
- Hourly rate for a real estate lawyer: 2,000–6,000 SEK per hour.
- Total cost for a legal dispute: 5,000–200,000+ SEK, depending on complexity.
- Rättsskydd (legal protection insurance) covers 80% of costs, with a deductible of around 20%.
- Your lawyer handles the rättsskydd application, making the process easier.
- If rättsskydd is not available, legal aid (rättshjälp) may be an option for low-income individuals.
