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Questions on this topic
- Can I vote in elections in Germany?If you are not a German citizen, you cannot vote in German elections; EU citizens can vote in local and European elections. You can still take part in politics through associations, advisory councils and petitions.
- How does divorce work in Germany, how long does it take, and what is the separation year (Trennungsjahr)?In Germany you usually have to live apart for a year before you can divorce. The application is filed at the family court through a lawyer; in an amicable divorce one lawyer is enough.
- How is child maintenance calculated, and what happens if the father doesn't pay?Maintenance is calculated with the Düsseldorf Table, based on the paying parent's income and the child's age. If it isn't paid, you can get an advance payment (Unterhaltsvorschuss) from the youth welfare office.
- I can't afford a lawyer: does the state provide legal aid?Yes. If you have a low income, you can get Beratungshilfe for advice outside court and Prozesskostenhilfe or Verfahrenskostenhilfe for court proceedings. You pay the lawyer at most 15 euros.
- I experienced discrimination while job hunting, flat hunting or at work. Where can I get help?Discrimination based on origin, gender, religion, disability, age or sexual identity is prohibited. The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency and counselling centres in Berlin offer free support; deadlines are short, so act quickly.
- If we separate, who gets custody of the children? Can they take my child away because my German isn't good enough?For married parents, custody usually remains joint after divorce. The court looks at the child's wellbeing; not speaking German does not by itself cause you to lose custody.
- What are my basic rights as a woman in Germany?In Germany women and men are equal before the law. You have the right to make your own decisions, to work, to manage your own money, to be protected from violence and to equal rights in marriage.
- What are my rights when dealing with the police, and can I ask for an interpreter?The police can ask for your identity, and you must show an ID document. If you are questioned as a suspect, you have the right to remain silent and to speak to a lawyer; in criminal proceedings an interpreter is free.
- What rights do LGBTIQ+ people have in Germany, and where can they find support?In Germany same-sex couples can marry, discrimination based on sexual identity is prohibited, and gender entries can be changed by declaration at the registry office. Berlin has free counselling services for LGBTIQ+ migrants.
