European lawyers providing services; information on the temporary exercise of the profession

A European lawyer may work as a lawyer in Germany on a temporary and occasional basis under the professional title of his home country.

Persons who are authorized to work independently as lawyers in a member state of the European Union, another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or in Switzerland 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 work temporarily and occasionally as lawyers in Germany (so-called European lawyers providing services).

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: Zvērināts advokāts
• 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).

European lawyers providing services are generally authorized to provide advice in the field of German law. However, the restriction applies that they may only act as a representative or defender of a client in court proceedings and in official proceedings for criminal offenses, administrative offenses, official misconduct or breaches of professional duty in which clients may not conduct the legal dispute themselves or defend themselves in consultation with a lawyer admitted in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Lawyers' Act (Einvernehmensanwalt).

A prerequisite for the temporary exercise of the profession in Germany is that the professional title that may be used under the law of the country of origin is used. 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).

The authorization to exercise the profession of a lawyer in the country of origin must be proven upon request by the competent bar association, the court or the authority before which the European lawyer providing services appears.

• Certificate of membership of the legal profession issued by the competent authority in the home Member State