🏛️ Wegweiser Society
Legal position as of September 2026. Much of this is state law (assembly law, citizens' petitions for a referendum, voting age in state and local elections, police law) and differs from one federal state to another. Please check the details for your state with the responsible office. Uncertain points and sources: Sources and limits. This is information, not legal advice.
Frequently searched
🗳️ Right to vote and voting (postal vote, voting age)
📣 Freedom of assembly and demonstrations
🔐 Data protection and the right of access (GDPR)
🤲 Volunteering and civic engagement: flat-rate allowances, accident insurance
🪪 Naturalisation and citizenship (as of 2026)
🚫 Discrimination under the AGG outside work
All topic areas
⚖️Fundamental rightsOverview of your rights as a citizen.1 topic
🗳️Having a sayVoting, demonstrating, petitions, citizens' petitions for a referendum, naturalisation.4 topics
🔍Information and dataInformation from public authorities and about your own data.2 topics
🤝Getting involvedVolunteering, lay judge office, helping in an emergency.3 topics
🛡️Protection and limitsDiscrimination, freedom of expression, police checks.3 topics
🧭Help with legal mattersLegal advice assistance, legal aid, contact points.2 topics
⚖️ Fundamental rights
Overview of your rights as a citizen.
🗳️ Having a say
Voting, demonstrating, petitions, citizens' petitions for a referendum, naturalisation.
🗳️Right to vote and voting (postal vote, voting age)Who may vote, from what age and how to vote by post. No reason needed, but there is a deadline.
📣Freedom of assembly and demonstrationsOpen-air demonstrations usually have to be registered, as a rule 48 hours in advance. Some states regulate this themselves.
✍️Petition, citizens' petition for a referendum, referendumRequests and complaints to parliament, signatures for the municipality: you can have a say between elections too.
🪪Naturalisation and citizenship (as of 2026)Rule: five years of lawful residence. The earlier naturalisation after three years has been abolished.
🔍 Information and data
Information from public authorities and about your own data.
📂Freedom of information: information from authoritiesYou can request access to official information. The authority should provide it within one month.
🔐Data protection and the right of access (GDPR)You are entitled to know what data companies and authorities store about you. Answer usually within one month.
🤝 Getting involved
Volunteering, lay judge office, helping in an emergency.
🤲Volunteering and civic engagement: flat-rate allowances, accident insuranceÜbungsleiter allowance €3,300, Ehrenamt allowance €960 per year since 2026. Some volunteers have statutory accident insurance.
⚖️Lay judges and honorary offices in the justice systemAs a lay judge (Schöffe) you help decide cases. Next election in 2028 for the term 2029 to 2033.
🚑Civil courage and helping in an emergencyHelping in accidents is a duty, as far as reasonable. You do not have to put yourself in danger.
🛡️ Protection and limits
Discrimination, freedom of expression, police checks.
🚫Discrimination under the AGG outside workIn everyday life, for example with housing or shopping: claims under the AGG must be asserted within two months.
💬Freedom of expression, online hate, reporting centresOpinion is protected, insults and incitement are not. How to report online hate.
🚔Your rights during police checks and identity checksYou must give your name and address, but you do not have to say anything more. Rules differ from state to state.
🧭 Help with legal matters
Legal advice assistance, legal aid, contact points.
💶Legal advice assistance and legal aidLittle money, legal problem: legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe) for out-of-court advice, legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe) for court proceedings.
🧭Advice and contact pointsWhere to find advice on civil rights, data protection, discrimination and legal matters. Only checked, nationwide bodies.
For reference
📕Keyword indexAll terms from A to Z, with links to the matching topic pages.
📜Sources and methodWhere the information comes from and what is expressly uncertain.
🏠Other target groupsTo the overview of all Wegweiser portals.
A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.