Wegweiser Society · Civil rights and participation Deutsch

💶 Legal advice assistance and legal aid

Little money, legal problem: legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe) for out-of-court advice, legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe) for court proceedings.

legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe) legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe) PKH advice voucher (Berechtigungsschein) local court (Amtsgericht) lawyer own contribution

In brief

If you have little money, you can get help with legal problems.

Legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe) covers advice and representation outside court proceedings. You apply for it at the local court (Amtsgericht). With the voucher you pay an own contribution of €15 (which can be waived).

Legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe) helps with court costs and lawyer's costs in proceedings. You need to be unable to afford the costs and have sufficient prospects of success. The case must not be frivolous (§ 114 ZPO).

Step by step

  1. CheckThere is a test at service.justiz.de/beratungshilfe.
  2. Apply for legal advice assistanceAt the local court, with proof of income and expenses.
  3. Legal aid in proceedingsApply to the trial court with a declaration of your personal and financial circumstances.
  4. Have your documents readyID, bank statements, tenancy agreement.

Deadlines

€15
Own contribution for legal advice assistance (can be waived).Nr. 2500 VV RVG (Anlage 1 zum RVG); fee can be waived
no amount limit cited in the law
Legal aid where costs cannot be afforded, prospects of success, not frivolous.§ 114 ZPO
Watch out – common mistakes
  • Legal advice assistance applies only out of court.
  • Legal aid is not always a gift: payment by instalments is possible.
  • Deadlines in proceedings keep running even if legal aid has been applied for. Get legal advice.
  • False statements can have consequences.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Legal advice assistance

The legal basis is the Beratungshilfegesetz (BerHG). Under § 4 para. 1 BerHG, the local court at the general place of jurisdiction of the person seeking advice is responsible for the application. The own contribution of €15 follows from Nr. 2500 VV RVG (Anlage 1 zum RVG) and can be waived.

Legal aid

§ 114 ZPO: legal aid is granted to anyone who, given their personal and financial circumstances, cannot afford the costs of litigation, or can afford them only in part or in instalments, provided that pursuing or defending the claim has sufficient prospects of success and does not appear frivolous. Reference to §§ 1076 to 1078 ZPO for cross-border cases within the EU.

Who is responsible
  • Local court (Amtsgericht) (legal advice assistance)
  • Trial court (legal aid)
  • Justiz-Services: service.justiz.de/beratungshilfe
Further reading
Discrimination under the AGG outside workAdvice and contact points

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Legal advice assistance and legal aid“?
Little money, legal problem: legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe) for out-of-court advice, legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe) for court proceedings.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • €15: Own contribution for legal advice assistance (can be waived). (Nr. 2500 VV RVG (Anlage 1 zum RVG); fee can be waived)
  • no amount limit cited in the law: Legal aid where costs cannot be afforded, prospects of success, not frivolous. (§ 114 ZPO)
What should I do first?
  • Check: There is a test at service.justiz.de/beratungshilfe.
  • Apply for legal advice assistance: At the local court, with proof of income and expenses.
  • Legal aid in proceedings: Apply to the trial court with a declaration of your personal and financial circumstances.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • Legal advice assistance applies only out of court.
  • Legal aid is not always a gift: payment by instalments is possible.
  • Deadlines in proceedings keep running even if legal aid has been applied for. Get legal advice.
Evidence
  • Gesetze im Internet, § 114 ZPO, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Gesetze im Internet, § 4 BerHG, gesetze-im-internet.de/berathig/__4.html, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • BMJV, Beratungshilfe und Prozesskostenhilfe (search result), retrieved 20 September 2026
  • schuldnerberatung.de, Beratungshilfe (search result, secondary source), retrieved 20 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

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.