Legal profession; application for admission as a lawyer of a member state of the World Trade Organization

Lawyers from member states of the World Trade Organization (WTO) can apply for admission to a German Bar Association.

Lawyers from a member state of the World Trade Organization, from Kosovo and Serbia may practise their profession in Germany if they are admitted by the competent domestic bar association.

Admission to a German Bar Association requires that the applicant belongs to a foreign profession that is listed in the Ordinance on the Implementation of Section 206 of the Federal Lawyers' Act (see under "Special information") and is authorized to practice the profession in the home country in accordance with the law of the home country. A certificate to this effect must be submitted to the competent authority in the home state. A corresponding certificate must also be submitted to the competent bar association annually after admission.

The applicant must settle in Germany and thus set up a law firm. He or she must observe the German professional obligations and use the professional title that he or she may use in the country of origin in accordance with local law. When using the professional title, the country of origin must be indicated in German. In particular, the term "Rechtsanwalt" may not be used. However, the term "member of the bar association" is permitted.

Disputes in connection with the admission of lawyers from a member state of the WTO are decided by the Lawyers' Disciplinary Court (§ 207 para. 3 sentence 1 no. 1 in conjunction with §§ 112a ff. BRAO).

You must submit the application for admission to the Bar Association together with the required documents to the Bar Association in whose district you wish to establish yourself.

The competent bar association will decide on your application once the complete application documents have been submitted.

The fee for admission to the bar association is between EUR 250 and EUR 500.

In addition, there is an annual fee set by the respective bar association (around EUR 200 to 300 per year).

The fees and contributions can be paid by bank transfer (also via online banking).

The members of the following professions, which are listed in the Ordinance on the Implementation of Section 206 of the Federal Lawyers' Act, may provide legal services in Germany in the areas of the law of their country of origin and international law after their admission:

• in Egypt: Muhami
• in Albania: Avokat
• in Argentina: Abogado
• in Australia: Barrister, Solicitor, Legal Practitioner
• in Bolivia: Abogado
• in Brazil: Advogado
• in Chile: Abogado
• in China: Lü shi
• in Chinese Taipei: Lü shi
• in Ecuador: Abogado
• in El Salvador: Abogado
• in Georgia: Adwokati
• in Ghana: Lawyer, Legal Practitioner, Solicitor, Barrister
• in Hong Kong, China: Barrister, Solicitor
• in India: Advocate
• in Indonesia: Advocate
• in Israel: Orech-Din
• in Japan: Bengoshi
• in Cameroon: Avocat, Advocate
• in Canada: Barrister, Solicitor
• in Kazakhstan: Aдвокат, Advokat, Qorğauşy
• in Kenya: Advocate
• in Colombia: Abogado
• in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Avocat
• in the Republic of Korea: Byeonhosa, Lawyer
• in Malaysia: Peguambela&Peguamcara, Advocate and Solicitor
• in Morocco: Mohamin
• in Mexico: Abogado
• in Moldova: Avocat
• in Namibia: Legal Practitioner, Advocate, Attorney
• in New Zealand: Barrister, Solicitor
• in Nigeria: Legal Practitioner
• in North Macedonia: Advocate
• in Pakistan: Wakeel, Advocate
• in Panama: Abogado
• in Peru: Abogado
• in the Philippines: Attorney
• in the Russian Federation: Advokat
• in Singapore: Advocate and Solicitor
• in Sri Lanka: Attorney at law
• in South Africa: Attorney, Prokureur, Advocate, Advokaat
• in Thailand: Tanaaykwaam
• in Turkey: Avukat
• in Tunisia: Avocat
• in the Ukraine: Advokat
• in Uruguay: Abogado
• in Venezuela: Abogado
• in the United Kingdom: Advocate, Barrister, Solicitor
• in the United States of America: Attorney at law

Members of the following foreign professions may provide legal services in Germany in the area of the law of their country of origin after being licensed to do so:

• in Kosovo: Avokat, Advokat
• in Serbia: Advokat

• The following documents must be submitted:
  • Application for admission to the Bar Association in German
  • Complete curriculum vitae with photograph in German
  • Certificate of membership of the legal profession from the competent authority in the country of origin (original or certified copy)
  • Proof of membership of a state of the World Trade Organization, Kosovo or Serbia
  • If applicable, proof of previous admission to the German bar, as a legal advisor or as another member of a German bar association
  • Certified translation of all foreign-language documents into German
  • Proof that professional liability insurance has been taken out which covers damages arising from advice under the law of the country of origin and under international law in Germany. As a rule, only the standardized confirmations of German insurers are recognized.

  The competent bar association will inform you whether further documents may need to be submitted in individual cases.