Competitive Fees:

… we are fair …
Let’s start with a bit of self promotion. It is our aim to help people. We do this work out of conviction. However, as we also need to eat and take care of our families. Where we think it is best and needed we do give some pointers and help you in the right direction.

Again, as we also need to live we do charge for services which takes us time, sweat and tears. We provide charitable help through other channels.

Nationality/Citizenship Services – So how do we compare to competitors?
It is almost impossible to compare the final invoice or fixed price packages. Why? Because each person and each nationality and destination has a different level of complexity. Therefore, we advise people to compare hourly rates/fees first. Depending on the exchange rate our rates are similar to what Dutch Pro Deo lawyers get. But how much someone charges doesn’t of course tell you much about the required knowledge and skills. Once you compared the hourly rates/fees you can make your selection and compare and consider fixed fee packages/products, which are often better value for money. However, fixed fee packages/products may have clauses on maximum amount of time or complexity.

Country Averages / Competitor Fees

Habsburg Legal Services ltd fees and rates?

As Habsburg Legal Services ltd works with partners in different countries the hourly fees/rates may differ. Not only due to exchange rates, but also due to your needs and case, as well as the experience or expertise of the jurist/lawyer.

Our start rate for Dutch Nationality Services is GBP £114 per hour. For Dutch immigration matters it starts at £124 per hour. For other countries lawyer fees vary widely from £50 to £350 per hour, just enquire. Unless the client lives in the UK no VAT is added, courtesy of Brexit, at least good for something. Don’t forget that we may at times be cheaper but we do provide the right and specific legal assistance you need. We ensure that you get a real specialist who is also empathic. After costs and taxes we don’t feed our kids with silver spoons. Some of our lawyers will charge fees which are more market conform. Not sure what their kids are fed with?

Value Added Tax (VAT) / Belasting Toegevoegde Waarde (BTW) / Goods and Services Tax (GST) / Sales Tax
All (example) hourly fees above are exclusive of VAT/BTW/GST.
In the UK the standard VAT rate for legal services is 20%.

• If you are currently (formally/usually) resident outside the UK we don’t charge you VAT.
• If you are resident in the UK we are required to charge you VAT. If you are planning to move abroad soon let us know and we can discuss when we invoice you.
• UK Companies can reclaim VAT. Companies outside the UK we don’t charge VAT.

Always ask and discuss us, it can save you money!

‘Ehm… why do I get quoted or charged more?‘
You should not be surprised! We will always discuss our fees with you in advance to you giving us your business. Also, if there are unexpected complications which we both did not foresee, or were aware of, then we will discuss additional hours or fees with you.

Government fees and third party related costs are not included in our fees, unless we clearly state so in our fixed fees products. We will endeavour to explain any potential government or third party fees you can expect before you give us your business. However, we can’t always work out every possibility in advance and government or third party fees may change over time.

As explained, our base rate is not the only rate or fee that we have. Depending on the type of legal assistance, country and assigned person the rate may go up or down. Honestly, mostly up. We really don’t want to start singing,.. ‘how low can you go…’

Above all, we want to enable the best legal service for you at a reasonable price. It is not about the money, it is about the solutions for you and customer satisfaction. Most of us do this work out of conviction. If you are not yet convinced, at least contact us, by all means ask and shop around, we would do the same.

Value of Outcome
Ultimately you need to consider the outcome, its practical and emotional value, versus the costs and make up your mind, is this what you are OK with? Also, ask yourself can you afford it? Be honest to yourself and us.

I still can’t afford this!
Even though we are very reasonable and likely the cheaper option, there are sometimes people in a situation where they have to realise that they can’t afford some legal services. What can you do? Talk to us. If you explain your situation we can try to think of solutions for you. Be honest as it avoids future issues for yourself!

We are here to help you!
We are here to help you!.. (that’s it… end!)