How to Choose a Lawyer in Germany

Rechtsanwalt, Notar, Fachanwalt, Steuerberater — find the right professional for your situation

TL;DR

Germany has distinct legal professionals: Rechtsanwalt (general lawyer), Fachanwalt (specialist), Notar (notary — mandatory for property/GmbH), Steuerberater (tax adviser). Courts above Amtsgericht require a Rechtsanwalt. Fees are governed by the RVG for statutory work; hourly rates EUR 200–500/hr in major cities.

🔍 Find the Right Legal Professional

Question 1 of up to 5

What is your primary legal need?

Is this a residential property purchase or a commercial / complex transaction?

What type of entity?

How urgent is your matter?

Is this a dispute with the Finanzamt, or advisory / planning?

What type of immigration matter?

What is the claim value?

What is the specific matter?

Is there a dispute or just a review?

✅ You need: Notar (Notary)

Property purchases in Germany require a Notar — this is mandatory under BGB § 311b. The Notar is neutral and cannot represent either party.

🔑 What the Notar does: Drafts the Kaufvertrag, checks land register (Grundbuch), coordinates Grunderwerbsteuer payment, and registers ownership. Both buyer and seller attend signing.
💶 Notar fees: Fixed by GNotKG based on purchase price. For EUR 400,000 property: approx. EUR 1,600–2,000 (Notar) + EUR 400–600 (Grundbuchamt). Plus Grunderwerbsteuer 3.5%–6.5% (varies by Bundesland).
⚠️ Note: If a legal dispute arises (e.g. seller misrepresented condition), you'll also need a Rechtsanwalt — Notare don't litigate.

✅ You need: Notar + Rechtsanwalt (Fachanwalt für Miet- und Wohnungseigentumsrecht)

Commercial or disputed property transactions require both notarial authentication and specialist legal advice.

🏢 For commercial leases, development projects, or property disputes: a Fachanwalt für Miet- und WEG-Recht will protect your interests in negotiations and proceedings.
💶 Typical cost: Notar fees (GNotKG scale) + Rechtsanwalt EUR 300–500/hr or RVG scale. For EUR 2M commercial deal: Notar ~EUR 8,000–12,000; RA negotiation fees ~EUR 5,000–15,000.

✅ You need: Notar (+ optional Rechtsanwalt for complex structure)

GmbH and UG formation requires a notarised Gesellschaftsvertrag (articles of association) under GmbHG § 2. UG can use the Musterprotokoll (standard template) — cheaper and faster.

🏢 UG (haftungsbeschränkt): EUR 1 minimum capital. Musterprotokoll: Notar fee ~EUR 100–200. Must retain 25% of annual profit until EUR 25,000 capital reached.
🏢 GmbH: EUR 25,000 minimum capital (EUR 12,500 paid in). Custom Satzung: Notar fee EUR 500–2,000 depending on complexity. Handelsregister fee ~EUR 150.
💡 For complex shareholder structures, IP rights, or investor terms, add a Fachanwalt für Gesellschaftsrecht to draft the Shareholder Agreement (Gesellschaftervereinbarung).

✅ You need: Fachanwalt für Gesellschaftsrecht + Wirtschaftsprüfer

AG formations and complex restructurings require specialist corporate law advice and auditing.

💶 AG minimum capital: EUR 50,000. AG formation involves Gründungsbericht (founding report) audited by Wirtschaftsprüfer. Legal fees: EUR 10,000–50,000+ depending on complexity.

✅ You need: Rechtsanwalt (no Notar required for GbR/OHG)

Partnerships (GbR, OHG, KG) do not require notarisation, but a written partnership agreement is strongly recommended.

📝 A Rechtsanwalt can draft a Gesellschaftsvertrag for EUR 500–2,000 depending on complexity. Without a written agreement, BGB § 705 default rules apply — often unfavourable.

⚠️ URGENT: Fachanwalt für Arbeitsrecht — 3-WEEK DEADLINE

You have 21 days from receipt of the dismissal letter to file a Kündigungsschutzklage (KSchG § 4). After this, the dismissal is deemed valid regardless of legality.

🚨 Do this today: Call a Fachanwalt für Arbeitsrecht or your Gewerkschaft (trade union). Many offer same-day appointments for dismissal matters.
💶 Legal aid: If you cannot afford a lawyer, apply for Beratungshilfe (legal advice) at your local Amtsgericht — costs only EUR 15.
📊 RVG fees: For Streitwert = 3 months' gross salary. E.g. EUR 4,500/month → Streitwert EUR 13,500 → 1.3 Verfahrensgebühr ~EUR 886 (excl. VAT). Many firms offer initial consultation ~EUR 190.

✅ You need: Fachanwalt für Arbeitsrecht

Employment contracts, discrimination, wage claims, maternity rights, and workplace disputes require specialist employment law advice.

💶 Initial consultation: EUR 150–250. Many firms offer flat-fee services for contract reviews (EUR 150–400 for standard employment contract review).
🏢 Rechtsschutzversicherung tip: Employment legal insurance costs ~EUR 5–15/month and covers most Arbeitsrecht disputes. Worth getting before you need it.

✅ You need: Fachanwalt für Steuerrecht

Tax disputes with the Finanzamt, Einspruch (objection) proceedings, and Finanzgericht (FG) cases require a Fachanwalt für Steuerrecht or a Steuerberater with litigation experience.

📋 Process: (1) File Einspruch within 1 month of tax assessment (§ 355 AO); (2) if rejected → appeal to Finanzgericht; (3) final appeal to Bundesfinanzhof (BFH) — Anwaltszwang applies at BFH level.
💶 FG proceedings: court fees based on disputed amount + lawyer fees (RVG or hourly). For EUR 30,000 disputed tax: total cost risk ~EUR 8,000–15,000.

✅ You need: Steuerberater (Tax Adviser)

Tax returns, VAT, payroll, and annual accounts are handled by Steuerberater — they are not lawyers but are licensed for all tax advisory work.

💶 Fees: Governed by StBVV (Steuerberatervergütungsverordnung) for statutory services. Typical: EUR 80–200/hr. Annual accounts for a small GmbH: EUR 1,500–4,000.
🔗 Note: For tax disputes that escalate to FG/BFH, switch to a Fachanwalt für Steuerrecht — Steuerberater can represent at FG but not BGH level.

✅ You need: Fachanwalt für Ausländer- und Asylrecht

Visa refusals, deportation orders, and asylum proceedings are high-stakes — specialist advice is essential. Deadlines are often 2–4 weeks.

⏰ Deportation notice: File Antrag auf aufschiebende Wirkung immediately to suspend removal pending appeal (VwGO § 80). Same-day action may be required.
🏢 Free advice: Caritas, AWO, and Diakonie provide free immigration advice in most cities. Beratungshilfe available at Amtsgericht (EUR 15).

✅ You need: Rechtsanwalt (Immigration Specialist)

EU Blue Card, Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz skilled worker visas, and Niederlassungserlaubnis applications benefit from specialist immigration lawyers, though most straightforward cases can be handled without one.

📋 2025 thresholds: EU Blue Card: EUR 48,300 general / EUR 37,590 shortage occupations (STEM, healthcare, IT). Chancenkarte (opportunity card): 6 points needed.
💶 Lawyer fees for standard Blue Card application: EUR 500–1,500. Complex cases (employer + employee joint representation): EUR 2,000–5,000.

✅ You can self-represent at Amtsgericht (optional: Rechtsanwalt)

For claims under EUR 5,000, you may represent yourself at the Amtsgericht. However, a brief consultation (1 hour) with a Rechtsanwalt can significantly improve your position.

💶 Initial consultation: Many German lawyers offer a 1-hour consultation for EUR 150–250. The Erstberatungsgebühr is capped at EUR 190 incl. VAT under RVG § 34.
🏢 Schlichtung first: Consider a Schlichtungsstelle (arbitration board) — free or low-cost and faster than court. The Universalschlichtungsstelle des Bundes handles most B2C disputes.

✅ You need: Rechtsanwalt (Anwaltszwang applies)

At Landgericht level (claims EUR 5,000+), you must be represented by a Rechtsanwalt. Both parties bear their own lawyers' costs if they win; loser pays all.

💶 For Streitwert EUR 50,000: statutory Verfahrensgebühr 1.3 = ~EUR 1,785 per side + court fees ~EUR 1,638. Total risk if you lose: ~EUR 7,000–10,000.
💡 Consider mediation (Mediation) first — courts actively encourage this under § 278a ZPO. Mediator fees: EUR 1,500–5,000 shared, much cheaper than litigation.

✅ You need: Specialist Rechtsanwalt with OLG/BGH admission

Appeals at OLG and BGH require lawyers with specific experience and, at BGH level, special BGH Zulassung (only ~50 Rechtsanwälte are admitted to the BGH).

💶 BGH cases involve significant costs — total legal fees often EUR 30,000–200,000+ depending on complexity and duration.

✅ You need: Fachanwalt für Familienrecht

Divorce, custody, and maintenance matters are handled in the Familiengericht (family court division of Amtsgericht). Anwaltszwang applies for divorce proceedings.

📋 Scheidung (divorce): Minimum 1-year Trennungszeit (separation period) required (§ 1565 BGB). Joint petition possible with one shared Anwalt — cheaper.
💶 For divorce with pension equalisation (Versorgungsausgleich) and no contested assets: total cost EUR 2,000–5,000. Contested divorce with asset dispute: EUR 10,000–50,000+.

✅ You need: Notar (for drafting) + optional Rechtsanwalt (for advice)

Wills (Testamente), Erbverträge (inheritance contracts), and formal inheritance waivers require notarisation under BGB §§ 2231, 2276, 2348.

💶 Notar fees for a simple will: EUR 100–500. Erbvertrag with complex asset distribution: EUR 500–3,000+ depending on net estate value.
💡 A holographic (handwritten) will (eigenhändiges Testament) under BGB § 2247 does NOT require a Notar, but a Notar-drafted will is much harder to contest.

✅ You need: Fachanwalt für Erbrecht

Inheritance disputes, Pflichtteil (forced share) claims, and Erbausschlagung (inheritance disclaimer) require specialist estate law advice.

📋 Pflichtteil: Disinherited spouses and children are entitled to half their statutory share (BGB § 2303). Claim must be raised within 3 years (BGB § 2332).
💶 Fachanwalt für Erbrecht fees: RVG based on estate value. For EUR 200,000 estate: Verfahrensgebühr 1.3 ~EUR 2,350. Initial consultation ~EUR 190–250.

✅ You need: Rechtsanwalt (Fachanwalt für IT-/Vertragsrecht for complex)

Contract drafting and review is a core Rechtsanwalt service. For IT contracts, IP licensing, or SaaS agreements, a Fachanwalt für IT-Recht is preferable.

💶 Standard commercial contract review: EUR 200–600 flat fee. Complex technology or IP agreement: EUR 1,000–5,000. NDA drafting: EUR 150–400.

✅ You need: Rechtsanwalt — respond to Abmahnung within deadline

An Abmahnung (cease and desist) typically demands response within 7–14 days. Ignoring it leads to injunction proceedings (einstweilige Verfügung) — much more expensive.

⚠️ Check the deadline carefully. If it's shorter than 7 days or received late, call a Rechtsanwalt immediately.
💶 Response to standard Abmahnung: EUR 300–800 flat fee. If einstweilige Verfügung is filed against you: EUR 2,000–8,000+ in court and lawyer fees.

German Legal Professionals Compared

ProfessionalRoleWhen MandatoryTypical FeeRegulator
Rechtsanwalt
(general lawyer)		 Represents clients in negotiations, advice, and court Mandatory Landgericht and above RVG statutory or EUR 200–500/hr Rechtsanwaltskammer
Fachanwalt
(specialist lawyer)		 Specialist in one of 24 recognised areas (e.g. Arbeitsrecht, Steuerrecht) Optional but recommended for complex matters EUR 250–600/hr; RVG for standard matters Rechtsanwaltskammer
Notar
(notary)		 Independent officer who authenticates transactions; neutral (no advocacy) Mandatory for property, GmbH, wills, marriage contracts GNotKG scale (e.g. EUR 1,600 for EUR 400k property) Notarkammer / Landesjustizbehörden
Steuerberater
(tax adviser)		 Tax compliance, returns, accounts, VAT advisory Optional (but essential for businesses) StBVV scale or EUR 80–200/hr Steuerberaterkammer
Wirtschaftsprüfer
(auditor)		 Statutory audits, due diligence for large companies Mandatory for AG, large GmbH (§ 316 HGB) EUR 150–400/hr; project-based EUR 5,000+ Wirtschaftsprüferkammer
Inkassobüro
(debt collector)		 Debt recovery (legally permitted under RDG) Optional Success fee 15–35% or flat fee Rechtsdienstleistungsregister

💶 Quick RVG Fee Estimate

Based on RVG Anlage 2 (§ 13). Estimates only — actual fees depend on matter complexity and agreement.

Base fee (Grundgebühr)—
Applied Gebühr multiplier—
Net fee (excl. VAT)—
VAT (19%)—
Total incl. VAT—

Estimate only. Does not include court fees (Gerichtskosten), Auslagenpauschale EUR 20, or document costs. Hourly rate agreements may differ significantly.

Germany's 24 Fachanwalt Specialisms

ArbeitsrechtEmployment law
FamilienrechtFamily law
SteuerrechtTax law
StrafrechtCriminal law
VerwaltungsrechtAdministrative law
VersicherungsrechtInsurance law
SozialrechtSocial security law
MedizinrechtMedical law
Miet- und WEG-RechtTenancy & property
ErbrechtInheritance law
Bau- und ArchitektenrechtConstruction law
Handels- und GesellschaftsrechtCorporate & commercial
InsolvenzrechtInsolvency law
Gewerblicher RechtsschutzIP / unfair competition
Urheber- und MedienrechtCopyright & media
IT-RechtInformation technology
Transport- und SpeditionsrechtTransport law
Ausländer- und AsylrechtImmigration & asylum
AgrarrechtAgricultural law
Bank- und KapitalmarktrechtBanking & capital markets
Vergabe- und WettbewerbsrechtProcurement & competition
SportrechtSports law
MigrationsrechtMigration law (new 2024)
EnergierechtEnergy law