Legal services · Germany

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Why it matters

Legal help for Germany’s codified legal system

Germany has a codified civil-law system built on the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) and the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), with ordinary and specialised courts spread across all 16 federal states. Whether you face a family matter, an employment dispute, a property transaction or an inheritance question, the right lawyers in Germany can help you navigate statutory deadlines, mandatory representation rules and cost-shifting rules. Lawyers who practise in Germany must have passed two state examinations and be admitted to one of the 28 regional bar associations coordinated by the Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (BRAK). Court and lawyer fees are largely statutory, and legal aid may be available. We match you with a lawyer who handles your specific issue, so you can make informed decisions without unnecessary delay.


Germany at a glance

How legal services work in Germany

Germany’s legal system is codified and divided between ordinary and specialised jurisdictions. Only qualified lawyers who have passed two state examinations may advise and represent clients before the regional courts and above. The following facts summarise how the system works in practice.

Court structure and mandatory representation

Ordinary civil jurisdiction runs from the Amtsgerichte to the Landgerichte, Oberlandesgerichte and the Federal Court of Justice (BGH). Parties before the regional and higher regional courts must be represented by a lawyer, as must parties before the BGH, where only specially admitted lawyers may appear. Most family-law matters before the local court also require a lawyer. In other Amtsgericht civil cases, you may generally represent yourself.

Who may practise as a lawyer

Admission to the bar requires the Befähigung zum Richteramt, obtained by passing two state examinations after university legal study and a practical legal traineeship (Referendariat). Every admitted lawyer is automatically a member of one of the 28 regional Rechtsanwaltskammern, coordinated by the Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (BRAK), which adopts the professional conduct rules through its Satzungsversammlung.

Court fees, lawyer fees and legal aid

Court fees are fixed by the Court Fees Act (GKG) on a scale tied to the amount in dispute, and the losing party generally bears the court fees and the opponent’s statutory lawyer fees. Lawyer fees are set by the Lawyers’ Remuneration Act (RVG) per procedural step. Legal aid is available through advisory assistance (Beratungshilfe) and court legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe) for those who cannot afford the costs, subject to an income test.

Key deadlines you should not miss

An employment dismissal claim must be filed within three weeks, while ordinary residential tenancy termination requires three months’ notice. Most civil claims are subject to a three-year limitation period, and an administrative appeal (Widerspruch) generally must be lodged within one month. Divorce presupposes one year of separation, and an inheritance may be disclaimed within six weeks.

Family, property and succession formalities

The default matrimonial regime is Zugewinngemeinschaft, under which each spouse keeps their own assets but gains are equalised on divorce; alternative regimes require a notarised marriage contract. Contracts for the transfer of land must be recorded by a notary, and ownership passes only upon Auflassung and registration in the Grundbuch. In inheritance law, the Pflichtteil guarantees a compulsory share for close relatives even if disinherited.

Key time limits in Germany

Legal deadline Period What it means for you
Employment dismissal claim 3 weeks A claim for unfair dismissal must be filed with the labour court within this period.
Debt claim (limitation period) 3 years Most civil claims are time-barred after three years, calculated from the end of the year in which the claim arose and you knew the facts.
Divorce 1 year of separation A marriage may be dissolved after the spouses have lived apart for one year, subject to statutory conditions.
Succession (disclaimer of inheritance) 6 weeks An heir may disclaim an inheritance within six weeks of learning of the accrual and the basis of their appointment.
Residential tenancy (ordinary termination notice) 3 months A landlord’s ordinary termination notice must comply with the statutory notice period, which may be longer depending on the tenancy duration.
Administrative appeal (Widerspruch) 1 month An objection to an administrative act must generally be lodged within one month of notification.

The data on this page is drawn from official German sources and the European e-Justice portal, last verified in 2025.


Common challenges

Why finding the right lawyer matters

Germany’s legal system can be demanding. These are the issues our matching service helps you solve.

01

Finding the right specialisation

Many legal issues in Germany require a lawyer who understands the specific court branch and statutory rules. Our matching takes your case details and connects you with a lawyer who handles that area regularly.

02

Missed deadlines can be costly

German law sets short time limits, such as three weeks for an unfair dismissal claim and six weeks to disclaim an inheritance. A lawyer can check your deadlines before you lose a right.

03

Language and procedural barriers

Court proceedings in Germany are conducted in German, and mandatory representation rules apply before regional and higher courts. A local lawyer can manage the formalities and communicate on your behalf.


How we help

A simple way to connect with lawyers in Germany

No legal advice, no hidden fees — just an efficient matching service.

Free matching service

You pay nothing to be matched with a lawyer. Tell us your legal issue and we will suggest lawyers in Germany who handle similar cases without any obligation to instruct them.

Fast first response

Most clients receive a first response from a suitable lawyer within 24 to 48 hours, so you can move quickly when a legal deadline is approaching in Germany.

Specialised local knowledge

We work with lawyers who know German court practice, statutory fees and local procedural requirements, including notarisation and land register formalities where relevant.

No obligation

Your initial contact is non-binding. You decide whether to instruct the lawyer, and you are never required to accept a match or share further details.


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Questions

Frequently asked questions about lawyers in Germany

How do I find the right lawyers in Germany for my case?

You can use our free matching service. Tell us about your legal matter and we will connect you with lawyers in Germany who handle that type of case, whether it is family law, employment, property, inheritance or another area. You are not obliged to instruct any lawyer.

Do I need a lawyer for every court case in Germany?

No. Before the local courts (Amtsgerichte) in civil matters other than most family-law cases, you may generally represent yourself. However, before the regional courts (Landgerichte), higher regional courts (Oberlandesgerichte) and the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), you must be represented by a lawyer.

How are lawyer fees regulated in Germany?

Lawyer fees are set by the Lawyers’ Remuneration Act (RVG) based on the value in dispute, not hours worked. The losing party generally bears the court fees and the opponent’s statutory lawyer fees. Hourly or success-based fees are permitted only within narrow statutory limits.

What is the deadline to challenge a dismissal in Germany?

An unfair dismissal claim must be filed with the labour court within three weeks of receiving the dismissal. If you miss this deadline, the claim is generally barred. A labour lawyer can assess whether the termination was lawful and help you file in time.

What is the compulsory share (Pflichtteil) in German inheritance law?

Certain close relatives such as descendants, the surviving spouse or registered partner, and sometimes parents, have a right to a compulsory share equal to half the value of their intestate share. This monetary claim against the heirs can arise even if a will excludes them.

Is notarial recording required for property transactions in Germany?

Yes. Every contract by which a party undertakes to transfer or acquire ownership of land must be recorded by a notary. Without this form the contract is void. Ownership itself passes only upon the notarised Auflassung and registration in the Grundbuch.


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