The Law To Know

← All countries

Practising law in Germany as a foreign lawyer

A route exists, with conditionsLimited home-law practice is possible

European Union, EEA and Swiss lawyers have a special route under the European Lawyers Act (EuRAG): they can register as 'European lawyers' and later be admitted as German lawyers. Lawyers from other countries normally have to complete German legal training, but can register to advise on their home-country law.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Rules change. This page describes the kinds of route that exist. The regulator listed under “Official sources” publishes the current requirements, fees and dates, so always confirm with them. This is general information, not legal advice.

The routes

EU, EEA and Swiss lawyers (EuRAG)

For: Lawyers who hold a professional title in an EU or EEA state or in Switzerland.

  1. Register with the local bar chamber as a European lawyer, practising under your home title.
  2. After at least three years of regular and effective practice in German law, apply for admission as a German lawyer (Rechtsanwalt).
  3. Alternatively, pass an aptitude test (Eignungsprüfung) to be admitted earlier.

Lawyers from outside the EU and EEA

For: Lawyers who want to be admitted as German Rechtsanwälte.

  1. Normally, complete the German legal education, which ends with the two state exams.
  2. Or register to advise on the law of your home country (see below), which does not require the state exams.

A foreign law degree may earn some credit, but the German state exams are very demanding and are held in German.

Practising only your home-country law

Under the Federal Lawyers' Act (BRAO), lawyers from members of the World Trade Organization can be registered to advise on the law of their home country and on public international law, but not on German or EU law.

Understand the legal system first

Germany belongs to the Civil law family. Knowing how its system works makes the admission route easier to follow.

Read the Germany legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →
Compare Germany with another country →

Official sources

Other countries

AustraliaBrazilCanadaChinaFranceHong KongIndiaIrelandIsraelJapanKenyaMalaysiaNew ZealandNigeriaPhilippinesSingaporeSouth AfricaSpainUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited States

TheLawToKnow Tools’s Bar Admission guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the regulator’s own information. Report a mistake.