Germany

We represent clients from all around the world in Germany every year. We see the globe as having no borders and are unafraid of language hurdles or time zones.

Legal Industry in Germany

There are approximately 166 000 lawyers in Germany. They must complete the same legal training as judges and are authorised to advise and represent their clients in all legal matters. They are allowed to exercise their profession both inside and outside the courtroom: in German law, there is no special category of lawyers who plead cases in court. In principle, lawyers are entitled to represent their clients in any court in Germany; the only exception is when lawyers wish to represent their clients in a civil case before the Federal Court of Justice, which has specific conditions for admission. There is also an exception for in-house lawyers (Syndikusanwälte), who are lawyers employed by a non-lawyer to advise and represent the employer in legal affairs; in-house lawyers are not allowed to represent their employer before some courts.

Articles about Law in Germany

Most common legal demands in Germany

Legal Market Overview in Germany

The German economy is the fourth largest in the world and accounted for one quarter (24.7 percent) of the European Union’s GDP in 2021. Germany is also the United States’ largest European trading partner and the sixth-largest market for U.S. exports

Since 2017, the legal services industry has seen growth averaging 3.9% per year. In 2022, IBISWorld expects total sales of €34.8 billion, up 4.3% from 2021.

  • The German legal services market is expected to generate total revenues of $25.1bn in 2020, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.8% between 2016 and 2020.
  • Market volume is forecast to increase with a CAGR of 0.3% between 2016 and 2020, to reach a total of 165,900 legal professionals in 2020.
  • The German Federal Bar Association (Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer) plays an important role in the legal services market. Moreover, the EU is seeking further ways to increase liberalization and competition.

Research shows 68% of people in Germany experienced a legal problem,72% of them knew where to access help and 43% resolved the problem.

The average duration of resolving the legal problem in Germany is 11 months and also 43% experienced hardship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Typically both fiancés are required to submit the following documents to the registrar: Certified true copy of identification document with photograph (e.g. passport, identity Card) Birth certificate (not older than 6 months) in original or as certified true copy showing parents’ names. A translation might be required.

two to three years

The processing times for registering a marriage differ from one registry office to another, but can be long. If neither of the spouses/ civil partners has ever been resident in Germany, the processing time will be at least two to three years.

Even if you prefer to register your marriage in another German city, you still have to also register at the Civil Registry Office either at your place of residence or that of your partner.

It’s a progressive tax: if you earn more, you pay a bigger percentage of your income. If you earn less than 10,347€ per year, you don’t pay income tax. The median income tax rate is around 18%. The maximum income tax rate is 45%1.

Both foreigners and natives must pay income taxes in Germany on their domestic and worldwide income and assets. Non-residents of Germany are subject to income tax on any German income but note that, depending on their home country, expats may also be liable for taxes in their home country.

Basic tax-free allowance (Grundfreibetrag)

So if you earned less than 9,744 euros after deduction of costs or lump sums, you do not pay income tax. Double the amounts apply to married couples.

between 4 and 6 months

How long does a divorce proceeding take in Germany? If both of you live in Germany and you have only the divorce (no child custody, no financial claims), it usually takes between 4 and 6 months.

Divorce and separation procedures are relatively simple in Germany, especially if both partners agree. If you and your partner have chosen to permanently end your marriage, you have two options open to you.

In a divorce process, the court’s and the lawyers’ service fees should be covered by the couple. The court fees usually amount to 450- 800 €; i.e. you and your partner each have to pay between € 225 to € 400.