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🚫 Discrimination under the AGG outside work

In everyday life, for example with housing or shopping: claims under the AGG must be asserted within two months.

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In brief

The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) also protects you outside work, for example when looking for housing or in everyday transactions.

If you are discriminated against, you may have claims, for example for removal of the disadvantage, cessation or damages.

Important: these claims must be asserted within two months (§ 21 para. 5 AGG). Act quickly and note the date and what happened.

Step by step

  1. Take notesWhat, when, where, who was present? Secure evidence.
  2. Observe the deadlineTwo months (§ 21 para. 5 AGG); the law does not say when the period starts, according to the prevailing view from knowledge of the disadvantage – if in doubt, count from the incident.
  3. Assert your claims in writingMake your claims against the other party in writing.
  4. Get adviceFederal Anti-Discrimination Agency and regional advice centres.

Deadlines

2 months
Claims under § 21 para. 1 and 2 AGG must be asserted within this period. Exception: failure through no fault of your own.§ 21 para. 5 AGG
Watch out – common mistakes
  • The deadline is short. Do not wait.
  • The deadlines for discrimination in employment are different and are given in the employee module.
  • Not every unequal treatment is prohibited discrimination.
  • Evidence and witnesses help. Getting advice before writing to the other party makes sense.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Claim period, § 21 AGG

§ 21 para. 5 AGG: a claim under paragraphs 1 and 2 (removal, cessation, damages, compensation) must be asserted within a period of two months (paraphrased, not the wording). The law does not state when the period starts; according to the prevailing view from knowledge of the disadvantage, if in doubt count from the incident. After the period has expired, it can be asserted only if the person was prevented from complying through no fault of their own. Asserting means: against the other party, not yet a lawsuit. How the period for bringing an action should be treated after that has not been checked here.

Contact point

The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency offers information and advice: antidiskriminierungsstelle.gov.de (redirect from antidiskriminierungsstelle.de). Details of the advice offered have not been evaluated.

Who is responsible
  • Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency (Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes)
  • Regional anti-discrimination advice centres (please research locally)
Further reading
Freedom of expression, online hate, reporting centresAdvice and contact points

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Discrimination under the AGG outside work“?
In everyday life, for example with housing or shopping: claims under the AGG must be asserted within two months.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
2 months: Claims under § 21 para. 1 and 2 AGG must be asserted within this period. Exception: failure through no fault of your own. (§ 21 para. 5 AGG)
What should I do first?
  • Take notes: What, when, where, who was present? Secure evidence.
  • Observe the deadline: Two months (§ 21 para. 5 AGG); the law does not say when the period starts, according to the prevailing view from knowledge of the disadvantage – if in doubt, count from the incident.
  • Assert your claims in writing: Make your claims against the other party in writing.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • The deadline is short. Do not wait.
  • The deadlines for discrimination in employment are different and are given in the employee module.
  • Not every unequal treatment is prohibited discrimination.
Evidence
  • Gesetze im Internet, § 21 AGG, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes, antidiskriminierungsstelle.gov.de (redirect checked), 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.