Right to a lawyer: almost free

Many people do not know it: anyone with a low income often has an entitlement to legal help, and the state pays the largest part. For advice or an objection you pay at most 15 euros; in court, legal aid covers your lawyer. Here you find out whether this fits for you and how to get it.

A tool, not legal advice. The local or trial court decides on the entitlement.

Quick check: does this fit for me?

I have a low income/assets (for example citizen's benefit, a small pension, low wages).

What is it about right now?

Advisory assistance probably fits

For advice and out-of-court representation (for example an objection to the job center) there is advisory assistance (Beratungshilfe). Your own share for the lawyer is at most 15 euros, the state pays the rest.

Advisory assistance, for advice and letters (out of court)a fit for you

For legal advice and out-of-court help, for example an objection to an authority, trouble with companies, contracts.
Your own share for the lawyer: at most 15 euros (it can be waived). The state pays the rest.
How it works: get an eligibility certificate at the local court (legal application office) of your place of residence, or go straight to a lawyer and apply there.

Advisory Assistance Act (Beratungshilfegesetz, BerHG)

Legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe, PKH), for court proceedings

For ongoing or planned court proceedings, covers your lawyer and the court costs.
Requirements: a low income, a sufficient prospect of success, not frivolous. With a somewhat higher income, payment in installments may apply.
How it works: apply at the competent court, with the form 'Declaration of personal and economic circumstances'.

§§ 114 ff. ZPO (in social court proceedings via § 73a SGG)

What you need for this

Identity card
Proof of income or your current benefits notice (for example the citizen's benefit notice)
The letter or notice the matter is about
Rental contract or proof of fixed expenses (for the means test)

Ready-made advisory-assistance application to take with you

You can present this text at the local court (legal application office) or directly to a lawyer. It is written in German on purpose, because it is submitted to a German court.

Application text (German):

Antrag auf Beratungshilfe (Beratungshilfegesetz)

Hiermit beantrage ich Beratungshilfe für folgende Angelegenheit:
(kurz die Angelegenheit beschreiben, z. B. Widerspruch gegen einen Jobcenter-Bescheid).

Ich beziehe geringes Einkommen / Sozialleistungen und kann die Kosten einer anwaltlichen Beratung/Vertretung nicht selbst aufbringen.
Eine andere zumutbare kostenlose Hilfsmöglichkeit steht mir nicht zur Verfügung.

Ich bitte um Ausstellung eines Berechtigungsscheins für Beratungshilfe.

(Datum, Unterschrift)

Find a suitable lawyer

Filter there by area of law (for example social law) and location. Ideal: a 'specialist lawyer for social law'.

Official lawyer search (German Bar Association) →

Coming soon here: our own referral to specialized law firms, with prepared cases, so it is fast for you and the lawyer.

This is general information, not legal advice. Whether advisory assistance or legal aid is granted is decided by the court based on your income and assets.