Bar Association; application for admission as a European lawyer

Nationals of Member States of the European Union, of other signatory states to the Agreement on the European Economic Area and of Switzerland who are entitled to practise independently as lawyers under one of the professional titles listed in the Annex to the Act on the Activities of European Lawyers in Germany (EuRAG) (European lawyers) may establish themselves permanently in Germany to practise the profession as an established European lawyer under the professional title of their country of origin.

A European lawyer is a person who is authorized to use one (or more) of the following professional titles:

• in Belgium: Avocat/Advocaat/Lawyer
• in Bulgaria: Адвокат (advocate)
• in Denmark: Advokat
• in Estonia: Vandeadvokaat
• in Finland: Asianajaja / Advokat
• in France: Avocat
• in Greece: Δικηγόρος (Dikigoros)
• in Ireland: Barrister / Solicitor
• in Iceland: Lögmaur
• in Italy: Avvocato
• in Croatia: Odvjetnik/ Odvjetnica
• in Latvia: Zverinats advokats
• in Liechtenstein: Lawyer
• in Lithuania: Advokatas
• in Luxembourg: Avocat
• in Malta: Avukat / Prokuratur Legali
• in the Netherlands: Advocaat
• in Norway: Advokat
• in Austria: Rechtsanwalt
• in Poland: Adwokat/Radca prawny
• in Portugal: Advogado
• in Romania: Avocat
• in Sweden: Advokat
• in Switzerland: Advokat, Rechtsanwalt, Anwalt, Fürsprecher, Fürsprech / Avocat / Avvocato
• in Slovakia: Advokát / Komerčný právnik
• in Slovenia: Odvetnik/ Odvetnica
• in Spain: Abogado / Advocat / Avogado / Abokatu
• in the Czech Republic: Advokát
• in Hungary: Ügyvéd
• in Cyprus: Δικηγόρος (Dikigoros).

The application for admission to the Bar Association must be submitted to the Bar Association in whose district the applicant wishes to settle.

The prerequisite for admission to a German bar association is the submission of a certificate of membership of the legal profession from the competent authority in the home country.

Established European lawyers must comply with German professional obligations and use the professional title that they are entitled to use in their home country under local law. Anyone who is entitled to use the professional title "Rechtsanwalt" (e.g. in Austria) must also state the professional organization to which they belong in their home country (e.g. Vienna Bar Association).

At the same time, established European lawyers may use the designation "member of the Bar Association" in their professional dealings, but not the designation "European lawyer".

Disputes in connection with the admission of European lawyers are decided by the Lawyers' Court (§ 35 EuRAG in conjunction with §§ 112a ff. BRAO)

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The fee for admission to the bar association is between 150 and 500 euros. In addition, there is an annual fee set by the respective bar association (around 200 to 340 euros per year). The fees and contributions can be paid by bank transfer (also via online banking).

• Application for admission as a European lawyer in German
• Curriculum vitae with photograph in German
• Certificate of membership of the legal profession issued by the competent authority in the home Member State
• if applicable, proof of previous admission to the German bar, as a legal counsel or as another member of a German bar association
• certified translation of all foreign language documents into the German language
• Proof of the conclusion of a professional liability insurance policy covering damages arising from the provision of advice under German law in Germany

  As a rule, only the standardised confirmations of the German insurers are recognised.