What are laws like in Germany?
Asked by: Mrs. Ara Emmerich IV | Last update: December 23, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (10 votes)
German law is a civil law system and is more driven by formal rules than common law systems such as the English law, where arguments can be made on the basis of common sense.
What kind of laws does Germany have?
Germany is a federal constitutional republic comprised of 16 constituent states, known as Länder in German. The German legal system falls within the civil law tradition, which traces its origins to Roman law.
What are some strict laws in Germany?
- You can be nude in your car.
- You can only address a police officer formally.
- Don't drink and bike.
- It's forbidden to keep urns at home.
- Don't run out of fuel on the Autobahn.
What is the basic law of Germany?
This Basic Law thus applies to the entire German people. (1) Human dignity shall be inviolable. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority. (2) The German people therefore acknowledge inviolable and inalienable human rights as the basis of every community, of peace and of justice in the world.
What is the rule of law in Germany?
1949-1967: The constitution ensures rule of law (Rechtsstaat) through judicial independence, equality before the law, and freedom of speech, assembly, press, and religion. Experience with fascism leads to limits on anti-democratic extremism, and neo-Nazi and communist parties are soon banned.
CRAZY GERMAN LAWS! 6 surprising things that are forbidden in Germany | Feli from Germany
Is law in Germany hard?
The focus, therefore, is on the legal practice course and the Second State Exam. The result of this particular feature of law studies in Germany is that becoming a legally recognized lawyer is a difficult and time-consuming process.
What is the common law in Germany?
German law is a civil law system and is more driven by formal rules than common law systems such as the English law, where arguments can be made on the basis of common sense.
Is law free in Germany?
Free English-taught law schools in Germany
And one of them is the fact that public universities don't charge tuition fees — and this applies to all students, regardless of their nationality.
What rights do Germans have?
The constitution provides for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media. An independent media, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system generally combined to promote freedom of expression; however, the government-imposed limits on groups it deemed extremist.
What is the German law tradition?
The German legal system is based on the civil law tradition which has at its core five codes: civil, civil procedure, commercial, criminal, and criminal procedure.
Is swearing at someone illegal in Germany?
Under German law, it is generally a criminal offense to insult a person. The crime is punishable by a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine. (Strafgesetzbuch [StGB] [Criminal Code], Nov. 13, 1998, as amended, BGBl.
What is the legal drinking age in Germany?
Belgium, Denmark and Germany set 16 years as the minimum age for purchasing beverages containing less than 1.2 % of distilled alcohol and 18 years for buying spirits (more than 1.2 % of distilled alcohol). Sweden set the minimum age for purchasing beverages with more than 3.5 % of alcohol at 20 years.
What is the quiet law in Germany?
When do you need to be quiet? The commonly agreed upon quiet hours in Germany (Ruhezeit time period) are from 10pm and 6 or 7am on weekdays and the entire day on Sundays, although there can be some exceptions in different cities or if your landlord imposes other rules as well.
How is Germany different from the US?
The Germans believe that life becomes more straightforward and less complicated; therefore, they see anyone living a complex life as not orderly. This sense of orderliness is very different when it comes to American culture.
Is it legal to grill on a balcony in Germany?
Barbecuing on the balcony is generally permitted in Germany as long as it does not cause any significant nuisance to neighbors.
Does Germany have freedom of speech?
Freedom of expression is enshrined in the constitution, and the media are largely free and independent. Hate speech, such as racist agitation or antisemitism, is punishable by law. It is illegal to advocate for Nazism, deny the Holocaust, or glorify the ideology of Hitler.
Is abortion legal in Germany?
Currently, abortion in Germany is regulated in the penal code, where it is paradoxically classified as a criminal offence that is non-punishable in specific circumstances.
Is Germany a good place to live?
Germany is known for being safe and clean. Low crime rates and well-enforced regulations contribute to a safe living environment. Cities are clean and well-organized with strict waste management and public initiatives that maintain high standards of hygiene.
What is the most important law in Germany?
The Basic Law or "Grundgesetz" is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany. It includes the most fundamental rights that determine the way society is organised in Germany. No other law may contradict the Basic Law.
Is college free in Germany?
In 2014, Germany's 16 states abolished tuition fees for undergraduate students at all public German universities. This means that currently both domestic and international undergraduates at public universities in Germany can study for free, with just a small fee to cover administration and other costs per semester.
Is healthcare free in Germany?
Yes, all Germans and legal residents of Germany are entitled to free “medically necessary” public healthcare, which is funded by social security contributions. However, citizens must still have either state or private health insurance, covering at least hospital and outpatient medical treatment and pregnancy.
Is law in Germany good?
According to the QS law rankings, many of these law university in Germany are among the top 100 institutes in the world. These universities or colleges are known for their research facilities, qualified professors, and academic standards.
What is the legal dating age in Germany?
The lowest minimum age is 14 years, set in seven Member States: Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Portugal. The highest is set at 18 years – in Malta. About half of the Member States apply different age limits to sexual acts between young persons.
Can I live with my girlfriend in Germany?
Spouses arriving in Germany must register their new address at the Einwohnermeldeamt (Residents' Registration Office) and then apply in person for a temporary residence permit for spouses joining their partners.
What is the gender law in Germany?
The Gender Registration (Self-Determination) Act (SBGG) makes it easier for transgender, intersex and non-binary people with German citizenship or whose habitual residence is in Germany to get their gender entry and forenames changed in the civil status records.