The final stage of this route is friendlier than expected: the social court charges insured people no fees, a lawyer is not required, and interim relief exists for urgent cases.
The social court: free of charge for insured people
If the objection is rejected, a claim to the social court remains. For insured people the proceedings carry no court fees, and a lawyer is not required.
✓ Verified: 01/08/2026
WHAT TO DO
› Details and tips
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Max recommends:
I did not bring a claim because I assumed courts were expensive. For insured people it is free — knowledge that arrived a year later than it should have.
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Lea recommends:
Ask the court’s filing office how to draft the claim. They help with the wording, and one visit is usually enough.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does it cost? ▾
For insured people, proceedings before the social court carry no court fees. Each side initially bears its own legal costs, though these are usually reimbursed on success.
Do I need a lawyer? ▾
Not necessarily: you can bring the claim yourself, including with help from the court’s filing office, which assists with drafting. In a complex medical dispute legal help improves the odds but is not a barrier to entry.
How long does it take? ▾
Usually a long time — months, sometimes longer. Where the need is urgent, ask immediately about interim relief: it exists for cases where the main decision cannot be waited for.
What if my condition worsens during the case? ▾
Document it and report it: changed circumstances are taken into account and, where urgent, justify interim relief. There is no need to wait silently for a hearing in that situation.