Probate Fees in Ireland: A 2026 Breakdown of What You Actually Pay

Probate fees in Ireland are made up of three separate costs — the solicitor’s professional fee, the Probate Office stamping fee, and outlays like valuations and newspaper notices. Most families are surprised by how much (or how little) it actually costs. This 2026 guide gives you the actual figures, in plain language.

Quick answer: Probate fees in Ireland in 2026 typically come in at €1,500–€4,000 in total for a straightforward estate (one property, a few bank accounts, no disputes). This breaks down into the solicitor’s professional fee (often a fixed fee, or 1%–2% of the estate value), the Probate Office stamping fee (set by the Court Service, scaled to estate value), and outlays of €300–€800. Inheritance tax is separate and is paid by each beneficiary, not the estate.

What are probate fees in Ireland?

“Probate fees” is a loose term covering the total cost of administering an estate through the Probate Office. There are three distinct components, and the only one that varies significantly by solicitor is the professional fee.

1. Solicitor’s professional fee

The largest variable cost. Irish solicitors price probate work in three common ways:

• Fixed fee: Increasingly common for straightforward estates. We publish ours up-front so you know the total before you instruct.
• Percentage of the estate: Historically 1%–2% of the gross estate value. Common but can be much higher than a fixed fee on larger estates.
• Time costs: An hourly rate — usually reserved for complex contentious estates with foreign assets, business interests, or disputes between beneficiaries.

For a straightforward estate with a house, two or three bank accounts, no disputes, no business assets, and a clear will, the solicitor’s professional fee in 2026 typically falls in the €1,500–€3,000 range plus VAT. Larger or more complex estates cost more.

Whatever the pricing model, you are entitled to (and should always ask for) a written section 150 Letter setting out what the fee will be and what is included.

2. Probate Office stamping fee

This is a court fee, set by the Court Service of Ireland, paid when the Grant of Probate is issued. It is scaled to the gross value of the estate. Typical figures (subject to fee orders in force at the time of the application):

• Estate under €10,000: minimal flat fee
• Estate €10,000–€100,000: typically a few hundred euro
• Estate €100,000–€500,000: in the range of €500–€1,000
• Estate over €500,000: can be over €1,000 depending on the current Court Service fee schedule

The current schedule is set out in Probate Office fee orders and is updated from time to time. Your solicitor will confirm the exact figure that applies when the Grant is lodged.

3. Outlays

The third component is the out-of-pocket expenses incurred during administration. For a typical Irish estate these include:

• Property valuation: €150–€400 per property (more if a chartered surveyor is needed)
• Probate Office commissioner fee: for swearing the executor’s oath, around €20–€50
• Death certificate copies: €20 each, you typically need 3–5
• Newspaper notice to creditors (optional but recommended): €100–€300
• Postage and copying

Total outlays for a normal estate are usually €300–€800.

Inheritance tax (CAT) — not part of the probate fee

Inheritance tax in Ireland is called Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT). It is paid by each beneficiary, not by the estate as a whole. The 2026 thresholds (subject to Finance Act updates) are:

• Group A (child inheriting from parent): €400,000 lifetime tax-free threshold
• Group B (sibling, niece/nephew, grandchild): €40,000
• Group C (everyone else): €20,000

Anything received above the threshold is taxed at 33%. CAT is calculated and paid by each beneficiary directly to Revenue — typically by 31 October in the year after the valuation date. The executor is not normally liable for a beneficiary’s CAT bill.

A realistic worked example

Estate: family home valued at €380,000, three bank accounts totalling €40,000, mortgage paid off, will leaves everything to two adult children. Typical 2026 cost:

• Solicitor’s fixed fee (illustrative): €2,000 plus VAT at 23% = €2,460
• Probate Office stamping fee (illustrative, scaled to estate value): around €700
• Property valuation: €250
• Death certificate copies (×4): €80
• Newspaper notice to creditors: €150
• Commissioner’s oath fee: €30

Total cost to the estate: approximately €3,670. Each child also has their own potential CAT exposure — at €210,000 each they are well under the Group A threshold of €400,000, so no CAT is payable in this case.

What if there is no will?

If there is no will, the administrator (the person who takes the role of executor under the intestacy rules) follows essentially the same process and pays the same Probate Office and outlay costs. Solicitor’s professional fees can be slightly higher because of the additional admin work involved in establishing the lawful next of kin. See our making a will in Ireland guide for what happens by default.

Can you reduce probate fees?

Yes — several legitimate steps can reduce the total cost:

• Keep an up-to-date will: ambiguity is the single biggest driver of additional legal cost
• Consolidate accounts during life: fewer institutions to write to means less admin
• Use jointly-held assets carefully: a joint account with right of survivorship passes outside the will (and outside probate) but has its own tax implications — get advice before restructuring
• Ask for a fixed fee: compare what is included before signing the section 150 Letter
• Provide the original will and full asset list early: the cleaner the brief, the smaller the bill

When are probate fees paid?

The Probate Office stamping fee is paid when the Grant of Probate is lodged. Outlays are usually advanced by the solicitor and recovered from the estate when the cash assets become available. Solicitor’s fees are normally paid out of the estate once funds are accessible, typically after the Grant has issued.

Frequently asked questions

How much are probate fees in Ireland in 2026?

For a straightforward estate, total probate costs in 2026 typically come in at €1,500–€4,000 — covering the solicitor’s professional fee, the Probate Office stamping fee, and outlays. Complex estates with property abroad, business assets, or disputes cost more.

Is inheritance tax part of probate fees in Ireland?

No. Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) is paid by each beneficiary, not by the estate, and is separate from probate fees. Each beneficiary has their own tax-free threshold depending on their relationship to the deceased.

Do I have to use a solicitor for probate in Ireland?

No — you can lodge a Personal Application at the Probate Office and avoid solicitor’s fees. However, the executor is personally liable for mistakes, so most people prefer to instruct a solicitor and recover the cost from the estate.

How long do probate fees take to be paid?

The Probate Office stamping fee is paid when the Grant is lodged (usually 4–6 months after death). Solicitor’s professional fees are typically paid after the Grant issues and cash assets are accessible — anywhere from 6 to 12 months in.

Can probate fees be paid from the estate?

Yes. All legitimate costs of administering the estate — solicitor’s fee, Probate Office stamping fee, valuations, oath fees, and creditor notices — are payable out of the estate funds, in priority to the distribution to beneficiaries.

Get a fixed-fee quote for probate in Ireland

If you would like a clear, written fixed fee for your specific estate — covering all the items above — book a consultation. We will tell you what we will do, what it will cost, and how long it will take, before you commit. See also our guide to acting as an executor of a will in Ireland if you have just been appointed.

This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Every estate is different. For advice on your specific situation, please consult a qualified Irish solicitor. Online Legal Services is regulated by the Law Society of Ireland.

Need help with this? Fixed-fee help from regulated Irish solicitors: Fixed-Fee Conveyancing · Talk to a Property Solicitor.