I can't afford a lawyer: does the state provide legal aid?

Advice outside court (Beratungshilfe): People on a low income can get Beratungshilfe to receive legal advice from a lawyer or to be represented outside court. It covers almost every area of law, such as rent, work, family and social benefits.

How to get it: Apply at the local court (Amtsgericht) responsible for your main address. In Berlin you can apply in person or by post at the courts' legal application offices (Rechtsantragstelle). Bring proof of your income and expenses. If approved, you receive an entitlement certificate (Berechtigungsschein) and can go to a lawyer of your choice. The lawyer may charge you at most 15 euros and can waive this fee.

Important: If you go to a lawyer before getting the certificate, you can still apply afterwards, but the deadlines are short. Beratungshilfe is granted only once per matter.

Court proceedings: If a case goes to court, you can apply for Prozesskostenhilfe (in family cases Verfahrenskostenhilfe) to cover court and lawyer fees. You apply to the court handling the case. Depending on your income, all costs are covered or part of them is paid in instalments. If you lose the case, you may have to pay the other side's lawyer fees.

Other free options: Migration counselling services, women's counselling centres, tenants' associations (with membership) and trade unions also offer free or low-cost legal information.