Interim legal costs: what does an interim lawyer cost?
What do interim legal costs look like? At Alpinum Solutions, a legal or compliance professional in Germany costs EUR 60–180+ per hour (EUR 480–1,440+ per day) through staff leasing and EUR 90–250+ per hour (EUR 720–2,000+ per day) on a freelance basis; in Switzerland the ranges are CHF 75–225+ per hour (CHF 600–1,800+ per day). All figures exclude VAT and are valid as of 18 October 2026. The actual rate depends mainly on seniority, specialist area, workload, duration and engagement model.
This guide sets out the ranges by experience level, the factors behind a rate, a worked example and a comparison of staff leasing, freelancing and permanent hiring. It is written for general counsel, heads of legal, heads of compliance and HR leaders in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Hourly and daily rates for interim lawyers and compliance professionals
Alpinum Solutions has approved the following ranges for this guide. They apply to legal and compliance professionals, exclude VAT and are valid as of 18 October 2026. A “+” means the rate can be higher in individual cases.
| Market and model | Experience | Hourly rate | Daily rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany, staff leasing | Junior (0–2 years) | EUR 60–90 | EUR 480–720 |
| Germany, staff leasing | Experienced (3–6 years) | EUR 90–120 | EUR 720–960 |
| Germany, staff leasing | Senior (7+ years) | EUR 120–180+ | EUR 960–1,440+ |
| Germany, freelancing | Junior (0–2 years) | EUR 90–120 | EUR 720–960 |
| Germany, freelancing | Experienced (3–6 years) | EUR 120–170 | EUR 960–1,360 |
| Germany, freelancing | Senior (7+ years) | EUR 170–250+ | EUR 1,360–2,000+ |
| Switzerland | Junior (0–2 years) | CHF 75–100 | CHF 600–800 |
| Switzerland | Experienced (3–6 years) | CHF 100–150 | CHF 800–1,200 |
| Switzerland | Senior (7+ years) | CHF 150–225+ | CHF 1,200–1,800+ |
Swiss ranges are shown without a split by engagement model. This guide does not publish separate ranges for Austria; terms are agreed for each assignment. The ranges are guide values, not a quote: the binding rate is set out in the proposal for your assignment.
What drives the cost of an interim assignment?
| Factor | What it affects | What to clarify upfront |
|---|---|---|
| Seniority | The experience level sets the range (junior, experienced, senior). | Which tasks need senior experience, and which can a junior or experienced professional handle? |
| Specialist area | Specialist knowledge, for example in corporate/M&A, data protection or AML/KYC, and sector experience narrow the pool of suitable profiles. | Which specialist area, sector and languages? |
| Workload | Part-time or full-time determines the number of hours or days billed. | How many hours or days per week? |
| Duration | The term sets the total budget and the effort for onboarding and handover. | Planned start, term, option to extend? |
| Engagement model | Staff leasing and freelancing have different ranges and included services. | Should the professional be integrated into your organisation or deliver a defined mandate independently? |
| Location | On site, hybrid or remote changes travel time and expenses. | Place of work, office days, system access? |
| Currency | Germany in EUR, Switzerland in CHF. | Which entity and currency will invoice? |
| Additional costs | Travel time, expenses and VAT are added to the rate where agreed or applicable. | Which items are charged separately? |
| Included services | Selection, vetting, contracting and administration; with staff leasing also employment and payroll. | What is included in the rate and what is not? |
Worked example: how an interim budget is built
The basic formula is days per week × weeks × daily rate. For hourly rates, replace days with planned hours. The example below is a model, not a quote. All quantities and the chosen rate are assumptions; only the ranges come from the table above.
- Assumed assignment: experienced legal counsel (3–6 years) covering a vacancy in Germany through staff leasing.
- Assumed workload: 3 days per week (part-time).
- Assumed duration: 26 weeks, not counting public holidays or absences.
- Assumed rate: EUR 840 per day, the midpoint of the EUR 720–960 range.
- Calculation: 3 × 26 = 78 days × EUR 840 = EUR 65,520 excluding VAT.
- Assumed additional costs: no travel time or expenses because the work is remote. If they arise, they are added.
For comparison in Switzerland, again with assumptions: a senior compliance officer (7+ years) works 5 days per week for 13 weeks. At an assumed CHF 1,500 per day (range CHF 1,200–1,800+), that is 65 days × CHF 1,500 = CHF 97,500 excluding VAT.
Use the project requirements calculator to capture the role, workload and duration of your own assignment.
Staff leasing, freelancing or permanent hire: costs compared
| Staff leasing | Freelancing | Permanent hire | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who directs the work? | You generally hold the right to give professional instructions; the professional is integrated into your organisation. | The professional delivers independently within the agreed mandate. | You, as the employer. |
| How is it billed? | Hourly or daily rate paid to Alpinum | Hourly or daily rate paid to Alpinum | Salary and employer contributions; with executive search or permanent recruiting, an additional fee |
| What is included? | Selection, vetting, contracting, administration, employment and payroll by Alpinum | Selection, vetting, contracting and administration by Alpinum | Onboarding, workplace and line management are your responsibility |
| When does it fit? | Leave cover, vacancy, peak workload or task force integrated into your team | Defined projects and mandates with clear deliverables | Ongoing need |
| Commitment | For the agreed term, part-time or full-time | For the agreed mandate, part-time or full-time | Open-ended, with notice periods |
Both interim models suit most requirements, from a single professional to a project team. Read more about legal and compliance staff leasing and freelance legal and compliance experts. When a permanent hire is the better choice is covered in legal recruitment or interim support.
Costs in Germany, Switzerland and Austria
- Germany: billed in EUR. Staff leasing is legally termed Arbeitnehmerüberlassung; Alpinum holds a licence from the Regionaldirektion Hessen of the Federal Employment Agency. The ranges distinguish staff leasing from freelancing.
- Switzerland: billed in CHF. Staff leasing is also called Personalverleih; Alpinum holds the cantonal licence and the SECO licence for staff leasing abroad.
- Austria: assignments run as freelancing or as staff leasing through the German or Swiss entity. Terms are agreed for each assignment.
How to compare proposals for interim lawyers
- Same unit: hourly or daily rate, definition of a working day, timesheets and approval.
- Same scope: tasks, workload, duration, place of work and languages.
- Same additional costs: VAT, travel time, expenses and minimum commitment shown separately.
- Same services: what the rate includes – selection, vetting, administration, payroll.
- Total cost, not the rate: a lower rate helps little if work has to be redone or your team must re-check results. If the volume is unclear, for example in KYC remediation, start with a representative sample and then extrapolate.
The interim provider RFP checklist lists the questions for a comparable proposal.
Frequently asked questions about interim legal costs
What does a project lawyer cost per hour?
At Alpinum Solutions, a project lawyer in Germany costs EUR 60–180+ per hour through staff leasing and EUR 90–250+ on a freelance basis; in Switzerland CHF 75–225+ per hour, excluding VAT and depending on experience level (as of 18 October 2026).
What is the day rate for an interim legal counsel?
An interim legal counsel with 3–6 years of experience costs EUR 720–960 per day through staff leasing and EUR 960–1,360 freelance in Germany, and CHF 800–1,200 per day in Switzerland. Senior profiles (7+ years) are higher; see the table.
What does a fractional general counsel cost?
A fractional general counsel works part-time, for example one or two days per week. The budget is the daily rate from the senior range multiplied by the agreed days. Whether a professional can take on a formal function depends on your requirements and the rules in the country concerned.
Do the prices include VAT?
No. All ranges exclude VAT. Travel time and expenses are agreed separately.
Does a profile within 48 hours mean a start within 48 hours?
No. Alpinum presents selected profiles within 48 hours. You and Alpinum agree the start date together; availability, interviews, contracts and system access determine it.
Next step: clarify the cost of your assignment
Describe the tasks, workload, duration and preferred start date. You receive selected profiles and a proposal with a binding rate. Discuss your requirement and request a proposal.
Ranges valid as of 18 October 2026. Alpinum Solutions provides legal and compliance professionals and does not provide legal advice.
