German Statutes
Reference articles on major German statutes (Gesetze). These pages provide structural overviews and summaries of the key codifications in German law. For the complete text, consult the official publication at Gesetze im Internet.
Achtes Buch — Schutz und Verwendung von Daten
This article covers Achtes Buch — Schutz und Verwendung von Daten of the Strafprozessordnung (STPO), the Code of Criminal Procedure. This division contains 33 structural units (sections, titles, …
Act Against Restraints of Competition (GWB)
Overview Act Against Restraints of Competition (GWB) is a key piece of German legislation in the area of competition law. This German statute (GWB) is part of the legal framework governing competition …
Act Against Unfair Competition (UWG)
Overview The Gesetz gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb (UWG) is the German Act Against Unfair Competition. It prohibits unfair commercial practices including misleading advertising, aggressive sales …
Administrative Court Rules (VwGO)
Overview The Verwaltungsgerichtsordnung (VwGO) is the German Code of Administrative Court Procedure, governing the organization, jurisdiction, and procedure of the administrative courts. It provides …
Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG)
Overview The Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz (VwVfG) codifies the procedural rules for German federal administrative authorities, governing administrative acts, public contracts, plans, and administrative …
Allgemeiner Teil
This article covers Allgemeiner Teil of the Strafgesetzbuch (STGB), the German Criminal Code. This division contains 170 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure Erster Abschnitt — Das …
Asylum Act (AsylG)
Overview The Asylgesetz (AsylG) is the German Asylum Act, governing the procedural framework for asylum applications in Germany. It implements the Common European Asylum System, regulating the …
Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany (Grundgesetz)
Overview The Grundgesetz (Basic Law) is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany. Adopted in 1949, it establishes fundamental rights (Articles 1-19), the federal structure of the state, the …
Besonderer Teil
This article covers Besonderer Teil of the Strafgesetzbuch (STGB), the German Criminal Code. This division contains 456 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure Erster Abschnitt — …
Buch 1 — Allgemeine Vorschriften
This article covers Buch 1 — Allgemeine Vorschriften of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), the Code of Civil Procedure. This division contains 282 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure …
Buch 1 — Allgemeiner Teil
This article covers Buch 1 — Allgemeiner Teil of the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB), the German Civil Code. This division contains 278 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure Abschnitt …
Buch 10 — Schiedsrichterliches Verfahren
This article covers Buch 10 — Schiedsrichterliches Verfahren of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), the Code of Civil Procedure. This division contains 52 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). …
Buch 11 — Justizielle Zusammenarbeit in der Europäischen Union
This article covers Buch 11 — Justizielle Zusammenarbeit in der Europäischen Union of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), the Code of Civil Procedure. This division contains 74 structural units (sections, …
Buch 12 — Erprobung und Evaluierung
This article covers Buch 12 — Erprobung und Evaluierung of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), the Code of Civil Procedure. This division contains 24 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). …
Buch 2 — Recht der Schuldverhältnisse
This article covers Buch 2 — Recht der Schuldverhältnisse of the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB), the German Civil Code. This division contains 1020 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). …
Buch 2 — Verfahren im ersten Rechtszug
This article covers Buch 2 — Verfahren im ersten Rechtszug of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), the Code of Civil Procedure. This division contains 276 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). …
Buch 3 — Rechtsmittel
This article covers Buch 3 — Rechtsmittel of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), the Code of Civil Procedure. This division contains 74 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure Abschnitt 1 …
Buch 3 — Sachenrecht
This article covers Buch 3 — Sachenrecht of the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB), the German Civil Code. This division contains 467 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure Abschnitt 1 — …
Buch 4 — Familienrecht
This article covers Buch 4 — Familienrecht of the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB), the German Civil Code. This division contains 582 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure Abschnitt 1 …
Buch 4 — Wiederaufnahme des Verfahrens
This article covers Buch 4 — Wiederaufnahme des Verfahrens of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), the Code of Civil Procedure. This division contains 14 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). …
Buch 5 — Erbrecht
This article covers Buch 5 — Erbrecht of the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB), the German Civil Code. This division contains 479 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure Abschnitt 1 — …
Buch 5 — Urkunden- und Wechselprozess
This article covers Buch 5 — Urkunden- und Wechselprozess of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), the Code of Civil Procedure. This division contains 15 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). …
Buch 6 — Weitere besondere Verfahren
This article covers Buch 6 — Weitere besondere Verfahren of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), the Code of Civil Procedure. This division contains 12 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). …
Buch 7 — Mahnverfahren
This article covers Buch 7 — Mahnverfahren of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), the Code of Civil Procedure. This division contains 20 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure * **§ 688** …
Buch 8 — Zwangsvollstreckung
This article covers Buch 8 — Zwangsvollstreckung of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), the Code of Civil Procedure. This division contains 344 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure …
Buch 9 — (weggefallen)
This article covers Buch 9 — (weggefallen) of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), the Code of Civil Procedure. This division contains 1 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure * **(XXXX) …
Building Code (BauGB)
Overview The Baugesetzbuch (BauGB) is the German Building Code, the principal statute governing urban land use planning and development. It regulates land-use plans (Flächennutzungspläne and …
Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO)
Overview The Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) is the German code of civil procedure, governing litigation before civil courts from filing through judgment and enforcement. This German statute (ZPO) is part …
Code of Criminal Procedure (StPO)
Overview The Strafprozessordnung (StPO) is the German code of criminal procedure, governing criminal investigations, pretrial detention, trial proceedings, evidence, appeals, and the execution of …
Cooperative Societies Act (GenG)
Overview Cooperative Societies Act (GenG) is a key piece of German legislation in the area of corporate law. This German statute (GenG) is part of the legal framework governing corporate law. German …
Copyright Act (UrhG)
Overview The Gesetz über Urheberrecht und verwandte Schutzrechte (UrhG) is the German Copyright Act. It protects works of literature, science, and art, granting authors exclusive rights of …
Courts Constitution Act (GVG)
Overview Courts Constitution Act (GVG) is a key piece of German legislation in the area of judicial system. This German statute (GVG) is part of the legal framework governing judicial system. German …
Drittes Buch — Handelsbücher
This article covers Drittes Buch — Handelsbücher of the Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB), the German Commercial Code. This division contains 257 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure Erster …
Drittes Buch — Rechtsmittel
This article covers Drittes Buch — Rechtsmittel of the Strafprozessordnung (STPO), the Code of Criminal Procedure. This division contains 72 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure …
Erstes Buch — Allgemeine Vorschriften
This article covers Erstes Buch — Allgemeine Vorschriften of the Strafprozessordnung (STPO), the Code of Criminal Procedure. This division contains 261 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). …
Erstes Buch — Handelsstand
This article covers Erstes Buch — Handelsstand of the Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB), the German Commercial Code. This division contains 135 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure Erster …
Federal Constitutional Court Act (BVerfGG)
Overview Federal Constitutional Court Act (BVerfGG) is a key piece of German legislation in the area of constitutional law. This German statute (BVerfGG) is part of the legal framework governing …
Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG)
Overview Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) is a key piece of German legislation in the area of data protection. This German statute (BDSG 2018) is part of the legal framework governing data …
Federal Lawyers' Act (BRAO)
Overview The Bundesrechtsanwaltsordnung (BRAO) is the German Federal Lawyers’ Act, the primary statute regulating the legal profession. It governs admission to the bar, the rights and duties of …
Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)
Overview The Bundesnaturschutzgesetz (BNatSchG) is the German Federal Nature Conservation Act, the core statute for nature conservation and landscape management. It regulates the protection of …
Federal Notary Act (BNotO)
Overview The Bundesnotarordnung (BNotO) is the German Federal Notary Act, regulating the notarial profession. It governs the appointment, powers, and duties of notaries, who perform functions …
Fünftes Buch — Beteiligung des Verletzten am Verfahren
This article covers Fünftes Buch — Beteiligung des Verletzten am Verfahren of the Strafprozessordnung (STPO), the Code of Criminal Procedure. This division contains 54 structural units (sections, …
Fünftes Buch — Seehandel
This article covers Fünftes Buch — Seehandel of the Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB), the German Commercial Code. This division contains 164 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure Erster …
German Civil Code (BGB)
Overview The Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) is the core codification of German private law. Enacted in 1896 and effective from 1 January 1900, it consists of five books: General Part (Allgemeiner …
German Commercial Code (HGB)
Overview German Commercial Code (HGB) is a key piece of German legislation in the area of commercial law. This German statute (HGB) is part of the legal framework governing commercial law. German …
German Criminal Code (StGB)
Overview The Strafgesetzbuch (StGB) is the principal criminal code of Germany. It defines criminal offenses and their penalties, structured into a General Part (Allgemeiner Teil) covering fundamental …
German Limited Liability Company Act (GmbHG)
Overview The GmbH-Gesetz (GmbHG) regulates limited liability companies (Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung, GmbH) in Germany, covering formation with minimum capital of EUR 25,000, shareholder …
German Stock Corporation Act (AktG)
Overview The Aktiengesetz (AktG) regulates stock corporations (Aktiengesellschaften, AG) in Germany, covering formation, organization (management board, supervisory board, general meeting), shares, …
Income Tax Act (EStG)
Overview The Einkommensteuergesetz (EStG) is the German Income Tax Act, the principal statute governing the taxation of individual income. It defines categories of taxable income (including …
Insolvency Code (InsO)
Overview Insolvency Code (InsO) is a key piece of German legislation in the area of insolvency. This German statute (InsO) is part of the legal framework governing insolvency. German insolvency law …
Insurance Contract Act (VVG)
Overview The Versicherungsvertragsgesetz (VVG) is the German Insurance Contract Act, comprehensively reformed in 2008. It governs the legal relationship between insurers and policyholders, covering …
International Criminal Code (VStGB)
Overview The Völkerstrafgesetzbuch (VStGB) is the German Code of Crimes against International Law, enacted in 2002 to implement the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. It establishes …
Introductory Act to the Civil Code (EGBGB)
Overview The Einführungsgesetz zum Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuche (EGBGB) is the Introductory Act to the German Civil Code. It contains transitional provisions for the introduction of the BGB in 1900, …
Lawyers' Remuneration Act (RVG)
Overview Das Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz (RVG) is the German Lawyers’ Remuneration Act, establishing the statutory fee schedule for legal services. It sets out fee structures for out-of-court …
Medicines Act (AMG)
Overview The Arzneimittelgesetz (AMG) is the German Medicines Act, regulating the manufacturing, marketing, prescription, and pharmacovigilance of medicinal products. It governs drug approval by the …
Partnership Act (PartGG)
Overview Partnership Act (PartGG) is a key piece of German legislation in the area of corporate law. This German statute (PartGG) is part of the legal framework governing corporate law. German …
Patent Act (PatG)
Overview The Patentgesetz (PatG) is the German Patent Act, governing the grant and enforcement of patents for technical inventions. Patents are granted by the German Patent and Trade Mark Office …
Residence Act (AufenthG)
Overview The Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG) is the German Residence Act, the primary statute regulating the entry, residence, and integration of foreign nationals in Germany. It governs visa …
Sechstes Buch — Besondere Arten des Verfahrens
This article covers Sechstes Buch — Besondere Arten des Verfahrens of the Strafprozessordnung (STPO), the Code of Criminal Procedure. This division contains 44 structural units (sections, titles, …
Securities Trading Act (WpHG)
Overview The Wertpapierhandelsgesetz (WpHG) is the German Securities Trading Act, implementing EU financial markets regulation including MiFID II/MiFIR. It governs conduct of business rules for …
Siebentes Buch — Strafvollstreckung und Kosten des Verfahrens
This article covers Siebentes Buch — Strafvollstreckung und Kosten des Verfahrens of the Strafprozessordnung (STPO), the Code of Criminal Procedure. This division contains 66 structural units …
Social Code Book I (SGB I)
Overview The Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) Erstes Buch (I) – Allgemeiner Teil is Book I of the German Social Code, containing the general principles and structural provisions that apply across all books of …
Social Code Book II (SGB II)
Overview The Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) Zweites Buch (II) – Grundsicherung für Arbeitsuchende is Book II of the German Social Code, governing basic income support for jobseekers. Introduced by the Hartz …
Social Code Book III (SGB III)
Overview Social Code Book III (SGB III) is a key piece of German legislation in the area of social law. This German statute (SGB 3) is part of the legal framework governing social law. German social …
Social Code Book V (SGB V)
Overview Social Code Book V (SGB V) is a key piece of German legislation in the area of social law. This German statute (SGB 5) is part of the legal framework governing social law. German social law …
Social Code Book VI (SGB VI)
Overview The Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) Sechstes Buch (VI) – Gesetzliche Rentenversicherung is Book VI of the German Social Code, governing the statutory pension insurance system. It provides old-age …
Social Code Book VIII (SGB VIII)
Overview The Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) Achtes Buch (VIII) – Kinder- und Jugendhilfe is Book VIII of the German Social Code, governing child and youth welfare services. It establishes the legal framework …
Social Code Book XI (SGB XI)
Overview The Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) Elftes Buch (XI) – Soziale Pflegeversicherung is Book XI of the German Social Code, establishing the statutory long-term care insurance system as a branch of social …
Social Code Book XII (SGB XII)
Overview The Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) Zwölftes Buch (XII) – Sozialhilfe is Book XII of the German Social Code, governing social assistance as the last resort safety net of the German welfare system. It …
Trade Mark Act (MarkenG)
Overview The Markengesetz (MarkenG) is the German Trade Mark Act, regulating the registration, protection, and enforcement of trade marks, collective marks, and trade names. Protection is acquired …
Trade Regulation Act (GewO)
Overview The Gewerbeordnung (GewO) is the German Trade Regulation Act, a foundational statute dating from 1869 that governs the exercise of trades and commercial activities. It establishes the …
Transformation Act (UmwG)
Overview The Umwandlungsgesetz (UmwG) is the German Transformation Act, enacted in 1995 as part of the comprehensive reform of corporate restructuring law. It governs the transformation of business …
Viertes Buch — Handelsgeschäfte
This article covers Viertes Buch — Handelsgeschäfte of the Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB), the German Commercial Code. This division contains 164 structural units (sections, titles, chapters). Structure …
Viertes Buch — Wiederaufnahme eines durch rechtskräftiges Urteil abgeschlossenen Verfahrens
This article covers Viertes Buch — Wiederaufnahme eines durch rechtskräftiges Urteil abgeschlossenen Verfahrens of the Strafprozessordnung (STPO), the Code of Criminal Procedure. This division …
Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG)
Overview Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG) is a key piece of German legislation in the area of whistleblowing. This German statute (HinSchG) is part of the legal framework governing …
Works Constitution Act (ArbGG)
Overview Works Constitution Act (ArbGG) is a key piece of German legislation in the area of labor law. This German statute (ArbGG) is part of the legal framework governing labor law. German labor law …
Works Constitution Act (BetrVG)
Overview Works Constitution Act (BetrVG) is a key piece of German legislation in the area of labor law. This German statute (BetrVG) is part of the legal framework governing labor law. German labor …
Zweites Buch — Handelsgesellschaften und stille Gesellschaft
This article covers Zweites Buch — Handelsgesellschaften und stille Gesellschaft of the Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB), the German Commercial Code. This division contains 88 structural units (sections, …
Zweites Buch — Verfahren im ersten Rechtszug
This article covers Zweites Buch — Verfahren im ersten Rechtszug of the Strafprozessordnung (STPO), the Code of Criminal Procedure. This division contains 181 structural units (sections, titles, …