Where to get free, official help in Germany — the labour courts, consumer advice centres, the federal data-protection authority, the migration office, financial and anti-discrimination bodies, and the police. Most complaint routes are free.
In immediate danger? Dial 110.
Arbeitsgericht (labour court)
Labour courts hear dismissal, wage and contract disputes; filing is low-cost and unions or works councils represent members for free.
Legal basis Kündigungsschutzgesetz and the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
How to reach File a Kündigungsschutzklage at your local Arbeitsgericht within 3 weeks of a dismissal — this deadline is strict. Union or works-council members get free representation.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Bundesministerium der Justiz (BMJ)
Guidance on tenancy law (Mietrecht) — rent increases, deposits, termination; disputes are decided by the local Amtsgericht, and tenants' associations (Mieterverein) give member advice.
Legal basis Mietrecht in the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
How to reach Join a local Mieterverein for low-fee tenancy advice; unresolved disputes go to the Amtsgericht. Check current rules via the BMJ.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centres)
State consumer-advice centres help with contracts, refunds, faulty goods and unfair terms; the vzbv brings collective actions.
Legal basis Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
How to reach Get advice (some services low-fee) from your state Verbraucherzentrale; for an uncontested money claim use the online Mahnantrag (online-mahnantrag.de). EU purchases → European Consumer Centre Germany.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Bundesministerium der Finanzen / local Finanzamt
Income and VAT filing, refunds and disputes; you can object to an assessment and appeal to the Finanzgericht.
Legal basis Abgabenordnung (AO)
How to reach File via ELSTER; lodge an Einspruch within one month of an assessment, and appeal to the Finanzgericht if the objection fails.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht
Complaints against banks, insurers and investment firms — fraud, unauthorised transactions, mis-selling. The private-bank Ombudsman (bankenombudsmann.de) offers free arbitration.
Legal basis Kreditwesengesetz (KWG)
How to reach Complain to the firm first; if unresolved, file with BaFin or the relevant banking Ombudsman (free). Report investment scams and warnings via BaFin.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Bundesbeauftragte für den Datenschutz und die Informationsfreiheit
Federal data-protection authority for telecoms, postal and federal bodies; complaints about a private company go to your Bundesland's own data-protection authority.
Legal basis GDPR and the Bundesdatenschutzgesetz (BDSG)
How to reach Ask the organisation to correct or delete your data; if unresolved, complain to the BfDI (federal bodies/telecoms) or your state data-protection authority (private companies).
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Polizei (police) — incl. cybercrime contact points (ZAC)
Report a crime (Anzeige) in person or via the state Onlinewache; the police cybercrime contact points (ZAC) handle online fraud and hacking. Dial 110 in an emergency.
Legal basis Strafprozessordnung (StPO)
How to reach File an Anzeige at any station or your state's Onlinewache; for cyber-fraud use the ZAC. Preserve screenshots and transaction details first.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge
Asylum decisions and integration courses; residence permits (Aufenthaltstitel) themselves are issued by your local Ausländerbehörde.
Legal basis Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG)
How to reach Apply for asylum and integration courses through the BAMF; for a residence permit, book an appointment at your local Ausländerbehörde / Bürgeramt.
Who it's for: Migrants, refugees and foreign residents.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Familiengericht (family court, at the Amtsgericht)
Divorce, custody, contact and child/spousal support are decided by the family court; the local Jugendamt (youth-welfare office) advises free on custody and child-support questions.
Legal basis Familienrecht in the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) and the FamFG
How to reach Divorce needs a lawyer and usually a year's separation; file at the Familiengericht. The Jugendamt helps free with custody and child support, and Beratungshilfe/Prozesskostenhilfe covers costs on low incomes.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Bundesgesundheitsministerium (BMG) & regional Ärztekammer
Patient rights are set by federal law; a suspected treatment error can be reviewed free by your statutory health insurer (Krankenkasse) and by the regional medical association's (Ärztekammer) arbitration board.
Legal basis Patientenrechtegesetz (§§ 630a ff. BGB)
How to reach Ask your Krankenkasse to review a suspected treatment error (it can commission a free medical assessment via the Medizinischer Dienst), and/or apply to your Ärztekammer's arbitration board — both are free alternatives to court.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Federal anti-discrimination agency — free advice and support for discrimination in work, services and housing under the General Equal Treatment Act.
Legal basis Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (AGG)
How to reach Contact the agency for free advice; note the AGG's short deadlines (often two months to assert a claim) and it can help you decide next steps.
Who it's for: Anyone facing discrimination, including migrants.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
This is legal information, not legal advice — a directory of official, free channels, not an endorsement. Hotlines and links can change; each entry shows the date we last verified it. If a number or page no longer works, tell us on the contact form.
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