diff --git a/frontend/messages/de.json b/frontend/messages/de.json
index 16718738..a7c1abdd 100644
--- a/frontend/messages/de.json
+++ b/frontend/messages/de.json
@@ -294,5 +294,16 @@
 	"enrich_done_body": "Alle Dokumente wurden bearbeitet.",
 	"enrich_back_to_list": "Zurück zur Liste",
 	"comment_empty_hint": "Noch keine Kommentare – starte die Diskussion!",
-	"comment_start_discussion": "Diskussion starten →"
+	"comment_start_discussion": "Diskussion starten →",
+	"notification_bell_label": "Benachrichtigungen",
+	"notification_bell_unread_label": "{count} ungelesene Benachrichtigungen",
+	"notification_mark_all_read": "Alle gelesen",
+	"notification_empty": "Keine neuen Benachrichtigungen",
+	"notification_type_reply": "{actor} hat auf deinen Kommentar geantwortet",
+	"notification_type_mention": "{actor} hat dich in einem Kommentar erwähnt",
+	"notification_prefs_heading": "Benachrichtigungen",
+	"notification_pref_reply": "E-Mail, wenn jemand auf meinen Kommentar antwortet",
+	"notification_pref_mention": "E-Mail, wenn jemand mich in einem Kommentar erwähnt",
+	"mention_btn_label": "Person erwähnen",
+	"mention_popup_empty": "Keine Nutzer gefunden"
 }
diff --git a/frontend/messages/en.json b/frontend/messages/en.json
index 462dea3b..7f5d0893 100644
--- a/frontend/messages/en.json
+++ b/frontend/messages/en.json
@@ -294,5 +294,16 @@
 	"enrich_done_body": "All documents have been processed.",
 	"enrich_back_to_list": "Back to list",
 	"comment_empty_hint": "No comments yet – start the discussion!",
-	"comment_start_discussion": "Start discussion →"
+	"comment_start_discussion": "Start discussion →",
+	"notification_bell_label": "Notifications",
+	"notification_bell_unread_label": "{count} unread notifications",
+	"notification_mark_all_read": "Mark all read",
+	"notification_empty": "No new notifications",
+	"notification_type_reply": "{actor} replied to your comment",
+	"notification_type_mention": "{actor} mentioned you in a comment",
+	"notification_prefs_heading": "Notifications",
+	"notification_pref_reply": "Email when someone replies to my comment",
+	"notification_pref_mention": "Email when someone mentions me in a comment",
+	"mention_btn_label": "Mention person",
+	"mention_popup_empty": "No users found"
 }
diff --git a/frontend/messages/es.json b/frontend/messages/es.json
index 0ae0b91a..d145b9e9 100644
--- a/frontend/messages/es.json
+++ b/frontend/messages/es.json
@@ -294,5 +294,16 @@
 	"enrich_done_body": "Todos los documentos han sido procesados.",
 	"enrich_back_to_list": "Volver a la lista",
 	"comment_empty_hint": "Aún no hay comentarios – ¡inicia la discusión!",
-	"comment_start_discussion": "Iniciar discusión →"
+	"comment_start_discussion": "Iniciar discusión →",
+	"notification_bell_label": "Notificaciones",
+	"notification_bell_unread_label": "{count} notificaciones sin leer",
+	"notification_mark_all_read": "Marcar todo como leído",
+	"notification_empty": "No hay notificaciones nuevas",
+	"notification_type_reply": "{actor} respondió a tu comentario",
+	"notification_type_mention": "{actor} te mencionó en un comentario",
+	"notification_prefs_heading": "Notificaciones",
+	"notification_pref_reply": "Correo cuando alguien responde a mi comentario",
+	"notification_pref_mention": "Correo cuando alguien me menciona en un comentario",
+	"mention_btn_label": "Mencionar persona",
+	"mention_popup_empty": "No se encontraron usuarios"
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/NotificationBell.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/NotificationBell.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..533ce5b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/NotificationBell.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,304 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+import { onMount, onDestroy } from 'svelte';
+import { goto } from '$app/navigation';
+import { PUBLIC_NOTIFICATION_POLL_MS } from '$env/static/public';
+import { m } from '$lib/paraglide/messages.js';
+
+type NotificationItem = {
+	id: string;
+	type: 'REPLY' | 'MENTION';
+	documentId: string;
+	referenceId: string;
+	read: boolean;
+	createdAt: string;
+	actorName: string;
+};
+
+let notifications: NotificationItem[] = $state([]);
+let unreadCount = $derived(notifications.filter((n) => !n.read).length);
+let open = $state(false);
+
+// DOM refs managed via attachments
+let bellButtonEl: HTMLButtonElement | null = null;
+let firstFocusableEl: HTMLButtonElement | null = null;
+
+const pollMs = Number(PUBLIC_NOTIFICATION_POLL_MS) || 60000;
+let intervalId: ReturnType<typeof setInterval>;
+
+async function fetchNotifications() {
+	try {
+		const res = await fetch('/api/notifications?size=10');
+		if (res.ok) {
+			const data = await res.json();
+			notifications = data.content ?? [];
+		}
+	} catch (e) {
+		console.error('Failed to fetch notifications', e);
+	}
+}
+
+async function toggleDropdown() {
+	open = !open;
+	if (open) {
+		await fetchNotifications();
+		// defer focus until DOM updates
+		setTimeout(() => {
+			firstFocusableEl?.focus();
+		}, 0);
+	}
+}
+
+function closeDropdown() {
+	open = false;
+	bellButtonEl?.focus();
+}
+
+async function markRead(notification: NotificationItem) {
+	if (!notification.read) {
+		try {
+			await fetch(`/api/notifications/${notification.id}/read`, { method: 'PATCH' });
+			notification.read = true;
+		} catch (e) {
+			console.error('Failed to mark notification as read', e);
+		}
+	}
+	const url = `/documents/${notification.documentId}?commentId=${notification.referenceId}`;
+	closeDropdown();
+	goto(url);
+}
+
+async function markAllRead() {
+	try {
+		await fetch('/api/notifications/read-all', { method: 'POST' });
+		for (const n of notifications) {
+			n.read = true;
+		}
+	} catch (e) {
+		console.error('Failed to mark all notifications as read', e);
+	}
+}
+
+function handleKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
+	if (event.key === 'Escape' && open) {
+		event.stopPropagation();
+		closeDropdown();
+	}
+}
+
+// Attachment: stores the element reference for the bell button
+function attachBellButton(node: HTMLButtonElement) {
+	bellButtonEl = node;
+	return () => {
+		bellButtonEl = null;
+	};
+}
+
+// Attachment: stores the element reference for the first focusable element in the dropdown
+function attachFirstFocusable(node: HTMLButtonElement) {
+	firstFocusableEl = node;
+	return () => {
+		firstFocusableEl = null;
+	};
+}
+
+// Attachment: closes dropdown when clicking outside the wrapper element
+function attachClickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
+	const handleClick = (event: MouseEvent) => {
+		if (!node.contains(event.target as Node) && !event.defaultPrevented) {
+			if (open) {
+				open = false;
+			}
+		}
+	};
+	document.addEventListener('click', handleClick, true);
+	return () => {
+		document.removeEventListener('click', handleClick, true);
+	};
+}
+
+function relativeTime(isoString: string): string {
+	const now = Date.now();
+	const then = new Date(isoString).getTime();
+	const diffMs = now - then;
+	const diffMin = Math.floor(diffMs / 60000);
+	if (diffMin < 1) return 'gerade eben';
+	if (diffMin < 60) return `vor ${diffMin} Min.`;
+	const diffH = Math.floor(diffMin / 60);
+	if (diffH < 24) return `vor ${diffH} Std.`;
+	const diffD = Math.floor(diffH / 24);
+	return `vor ${diffD} Tag${diffD !== 1 ? 'en' : ''}`;
+}
+
+onMount(() => {
+	fetchNotifications();
+	intervalId = setInterval(fetchNotifications, pollMs);
+});
+
+onDestroy(() => {
+	clearInterval(intervalId);
+});
+</script>
+
+<svelte:window onkeydown={handleKeydown} />
+
+<div class="relative" {@attach attachClickOutside}>
+	<!-- Bell button -->
+	<button
+		{@attach attachBellButton}
+		type="button"
+		onclick={toggleDropdown}
+		aria-label={unreadCount > 0
+			? m.notification_bell_unread_label({ count: unreadCount })
+			: m.notification_bell_label()}
+		aria-expanded={open}
+		aria-haspopup="true"
+		class="relative rounded-sm p-2 text-ink-2 transition-colors hover:text-ink focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent"
+	>
+		<!-- Bell SVG -->
+		<svg
+			xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
+			class="h-5 w-5"
+			fill="none"
+			viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+			stroke="currentColor"
+			stroke-width="2"
+			aria-hidden="true"
+		>
+			<path
+				stroke-linecap="round"
+				stroke-linejoin="round"
+				d="M15 17h5l-1.405-1.405A2.032 2.032 0 0118 14.158V11a6.002 6.002 0 00-4-5.659V5a2 2 0 10-4 0v.341C7.67 6.165 6 8.388 6 11v3.159c0 .538-.214 1.055-.595 1.436L4 17h5m6 0v1a3 3 0 11-6 0v-1m6 0H9"
+			/>
+		</svg>
+
+		<!-- Unread badge -->
+		{#if unreadCount > 0}
+			<span
+				aria-live="polite"
+				aria-atomic="true"
+				class="absolute -top-1 -right-1 flex h-5 min-w-5 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary px-1 text-[10px] font-bold text-primary-fg"
+			>
+				{unreadCount}
+			</span>
+		{/if}
+	</button>
+
+	<!-- Dropdown -->
+	{#if open}
+		<div
+			role="dialog"
+			aria-label={m.notification_bell_label()}
+			class="absolute right-0 z-50 mt-2 w-80 overflow-hidden rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface shadow-lg"
+		>
+			<!-- Header -->
+			<div class="flex items-center justify-between border-b border-line px-4 py-3">
+				<span class="text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase">
+					{m.notification_bell_label()}
+				</span>
+				{#if notifications.length > 0}
+					<button
+						{@attach attachFirstFocusable}
+						type="button"
+						onclick={markAllRead}
+						class="text-xs font-medium text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
+					>
+						{m.notification_mark_all_read()}
+					</button>
+				{/if}
+			</div>
+
+			<!-- Notification list -->
+			{#if notifications.length === 0}
+				<!-- Empty state -->
+				<div class="flex flex-col items-center gap-2 px-4 py-8 text-center text-sm text-ink-3">
+					<svg
+						xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
+						class="h-8 w-8 text-ink-3 opacity-40"
+						fill="none"
+						viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+						stroke="currentColor"
+						stroke-width="1.5"
+						aria-hidden="true"
+					>
+						<path
+							stroke-linecap="round"
+							stroke-linejoin="round"
+							d="M15 17h5l-1.405-1.405A2.032 2.032 0 0118 14.158V11a6.002 6.002 0 00-4-5.659V5a2 2 0 10-4 0v.341C7.67 6.165 6 8.388 6 11v3.159c0 .538-.214 1.055-.595 1.436L4 17h5m6 0v1a3 3 0 11-6 0v-1m6 0H9"
+						/>
+					</svg>
+					<span>{m.notification_empty()}</span>
+				</div>
+			{:else}
+				<ul role="list">
+					{#each notifications as notification (notification.id)}
+						<li>
+							<div
+								role="button"
+								tabindex="0"
+								onclick={() => markRead(notification)}
+								onkeydown={(e) => e.key === 'Enter' && markRead(notification)}
+								class="flex cursor-pointer items-start gap-3 border-b border-line px-4 py-3 last:border-b-0 hover:bg-canvas
+									{!notification.read ? 'bg-accent-bg/20' : ''}"
+							>
+								<!-- Type icon -->
+								<span class="mt-0.5 shrink-0 text-ink-3" aria-hidden="true">
+									{#if notification.type === 'REPLY'}
+										<!-- Reply icon -->
+										<svg
+											xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
+											class="h-4 w-4"
+											fill="none"
+											viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+											stroke="currentColor"
+											stroke-width="2"
+										>
+											<path
+												stroke-linecap="round"
+												stroke-linejoin="round"
+												d="M3 10h10a8 8 0 018 8v2M3 10l6 6m-6-6l6-6"
+											/>
+										</svg>
+									{:else}
+										<!-- Mention icon -->
+										<svg
+											xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
+											class="h-4 w-4"
+											fill="none"
+											viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+											stroke="currentColor"
+											stroke-width="2"
+										>
+											<path
+												stroke-linecap="round"
+												stroke-linejoin="round"
+												d="M16 12a4 4 0 10-8 0 4 4 0 008 0zm0 0v1.5a2.5 2.5 0 005 0V12a9 9 0 10-9 9m4.5-1.206a8.959 8.959 0 01-4.5 1.207"
+											/>
+										</svg>
+									{/if}
+								</span>
+
+								<!-- Text + time -->
+								<div class="min-w-0 flex-1">
+									<p class="text-sm leading-snug text-ink">
+										{notification.type === 'REPLY'
+											? m.notification_type_reply({ actor: notification.actorName })
+											: m.notification_type_mention({ actor: notification.actorName })}
+									</p>
+									<p class="mt-1 text-xs text-ink-3">{relativeTime(notification.createdAt)}</p>
+								</div>
+
+								<!-- Unread dot -->
+								{#if !notification.read}
+									<span
+										class="mt-1.5 h-2 w-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-primary"
+										aria-label="ungelesen"
+									></span>
+								{/if}
+							</div>
+						</li>
+					{/each}
+				</ul>
+			{/if}
+		</div>
+	{/if}
+</div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/+layout.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/+layout.svelte
index 3dac8238..4ae6c1d1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/+layout.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/+layout.svelte
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { page } from '$app/state';
 import { onMount } from 'svelte';
 import LanguageSwitcher from '$lib/components/LanguageSwitcher.svelte';
 import ThemeToggle from '$lib/components/ThemeToggle.svelte';
+import NotificationBell from '$lib/components/NotificationBell.svelte';
 import AppNav from './AppNav.svelte';
 import UserMenu from './UserMenu.svelte';
 
@@ -52,6 +53,11 @@ const userInitials = $derived.by(() => {
 						<!-- Theme toggle -->
 						<ThemeToggle />
 
+						<!-- Notification bell (authenticated users only) -->
+						{#if data?.user}
+							<NotificationBell />
+						{/if}
+
 						<!-- User menu -->
 						<UserMenu userInitials={userInitials} />
 					</div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/profile/+page.server.ts b/frontend/src/routes/profile/+page.server.ts
index 7a14518a..6a39a472 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/profile/+page.server.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/profile/+page.server.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,15 @@
 import { fail } from '@sveltejs/kit';
+import { env } from '$env/dynamic/private';
 import type { PageServerLoad, Actions } from './$types';
 import { createApiClient } from '$lib/api.server';
 import { getErrorMessage } from '$lib/errors';
 
-export const load: PageServerLoad = async ({ locals }) => {
-	return { user: locals.user };
+const apiBase = () => env.API_INTERNAL_URL || 'http://localhost:8080';
+
+export const load: PageServerLoad = async ({ locals, fetch }) => {
+	const res = await fetch(`${apiBase()}/api/users/me/notification-preferences`);
+	const notificationPrefs = res.ok ? await res.json() : null;
+	return { user: locals.user, notificationPrefs };
 };
 
 export const actions: Actions = {
@@ -50,5 +55,26 @@ export const actions: Actions = {
 		}
 
 		return { passwordSuccess: true };
+	},
+
+	updateNotificationPrefs: async ({ request, fetch }) => {
+		const formData = await request.formData();
+		const body = {
+			notifyOnReply: formData.get('notifyOnReply') === 'true',
+			notifyOnMention: formData.get('notifyOnMention') === 'true'
+		};
+
+		const res = await fetch(`${apiBase()}/api/users/me/notification-preferences`, {
+			method: 'PUT',
+			headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+			body: JSON.stringify(body)
+		});
+
+		if (!res.ok) {
+			const data = await res.json().catch(() => ({}));
+			return fail(res.status, { prefsError: getErrorMessage(data?.code) });
+		}
+
+		return { prefsSuccess: true };
 	}
 };
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/profile/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/profile/+page.svelte
index 3447118e..2d0432dd 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/profile/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/profile/+page.svelte
@@ -1,9 +1,14 @@
 <script lang="ts">
+import { enhance } from '$app/forms';
+import { untrack } from 'svelte';
 import { m } from '$lib/paraglide/messages.js';
 import PersonalInfoForm from './PersonalInfoForm.svelte';
 import PasswordChangeForm from './PasswordChangeForm.svelte';
 
 let { data, form } = $props();
+
+let notifyOnReply = $state(untrack(() => data.notificationPrefs?.notifyOnReply ?? false));
+let notifyOnMention = $state(untrack(() => data.notificationPrefs?.notifyOnMention ?? false));
 </script>
 
 <div class="mx-auto max-w-7xl px-4 py-8 sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
@@ -30,4 +35,54 @@ let { data, form } = $props();
 		<PersonalInfoForm user={data.user} form={form} />
 		<PasswordChangeForm form={form} />
 	</div>
+
+	<!-- Notification preferences -->
+	<div class="mt-6 rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+		<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
+			{m.notification_prefs_heading()}
+		</h2>
+
+		{#if form?.prefsSuccess}
+			<div class="mb-5 rounded border border-green-200 bg-green-50 p-3 text-sm text-green-700">
+				{m.profile_saved()}
+			</div>
+		{/if}
+		{#if form?.prefsError}
+			<div class="mb-5 rounded border border-red-200 bg-red-50 p-3 text-sm text-red-700">
+				{form.prefsError}
+			</div>
+		{/if}
+
+		<form method="POST" action="?/updateNotificationPrefs" use:enhance>
+			<input type="hidden" name="notifyOnReply" value={notifyOnReply} />
+			<input type="hidden" name="notifyOnMention" value={notifyOnMention} />
+
+			<div class="space-y-4">
+				<label class="flex cursor-pointer items-start gap-3">
+					<input
+						type="checkbox"
+						bind:checked={notifyOnReply}
+						class="mt-0.5 h-4 w-4 rounded border-line accent-primary"
+					/>
+					<span class="text-sm text-ink">{m.notification_pref_reply()}</span>
+				</label>
+
+				<label class="flex cursor-pointer items-start gap-3">
+					<input
+						type="checkbox"
+						bind:checked={notifyOnMention}
+						class="mt-0.5 h-4 w-4 rounded border-line accent-primary"
+					/>
+					<span class="text-sm text-ink">{m.notification_pref_mention()}</span>
+				</label>
+			</div>
+
+			<button
+				type="submit"
+				class="mt-5 rounded-sm bg-primary px-5 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-primary-fg uppercase transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
+			>
+				{m.btn_save()}
+			</button>
+		</form>
+	</div>
 </div>