Does legal insurance pay for a first consultation with a lawyer in Germany?
In short
Only once a covered dispute exists. Then German legal insurance (Rechtsschutzversicherung) pays the first consultation with a lawyer as part of the case; for consumers it costs at most EUR 226.10. A precautionary consultation without a dispute is usually not paid, except under advice cover for family and inheritance law. Watch out: a deductible of EUR 150 to 300 often swallows almost the whole refund.
Statutory maximum fees for a first consultation under the RVG, plus guide prices for cover.
Example
Typical range
First consultation, consumer, no fee agreement
up to EUR 226.10
More extensive advice without agreement, consumer
up to EUR 297.50
Own contribution with legal advice aid
at most EUR 15
Advice cover for family and inheritance in many tariffs
often up to EUR 1,000 a year
Legal insurance for singles, four modules, EUR 300 deductible
about EUR 25 to 32 a month
October 2026.
The EUR 250 deductible in the example is a guide value from quoting practice.
Worked example
Dismissed, one consultation, then a deal
You are dismissed. You see a lawyer once, the lawyer does not write to the employer, and you reach an agreement yourself.
First consultation with a specialist lawyer
EUR 226.10
Deductible in your tariff
EUR 250
Refund from the insurer
EUR 0
Your own share
EUR 226.10
For advice only, the deductible can swallow the whole bill. If it becomes an unfair dismissal claim, the insurer pays the large remainder.
When the first consultation is paid
Legal insurance pays once an insured event has occurred. Under the German model conditions this is, in most areas, the moment when you or someone else broke, or allegedly broke, a legal duty. If you received a dismissal, your landlord demands too much rent or a dealer fails to deliver, the case exists. The first consultation with a lawyer is then part of the insured case.
Without such a breach there is no insured event. If you only want to understand your employment contract or check a will, the first consultation is usually not paid. The dispute must also have arisen after the start of the policy and after the waiting period, usually three months.
Situation
Does legal insurance pay the first consultation?
Dismissed by your employer, employment law covered
yes
Rent increase or service charge dispute, tenancy law covered
yes
Question about your employment contract, no dispute
usually no
Death in the family, advice cover agreed
yes, advice only
Divorce, advice cover agreed
yes, the advice only, not the proceedings
Dispute began before the policy started
no
What a first consultation costs in Germany
For consumers the first consultation is capped by section 34 of the Lawyers' Fees Act (RVG) at EUR 190 net, EUR 226.10 with VAT. A more extensive consultation without a fee agreement costs at most EUR 250 net. With a fee agreement it can be more.
Ask about the price when you book. Many firms tell you in advance, and if you have a confirmation of cover the lawyer can bill the insurer directly.
Advice cover for family and inheritance law
Disputes in family and inheritance law are excluded from German legal insurance as a rule. Many tariffs offer advice cover instead: it pays for advice or information from a lawyer. If the lawyer does anything more, such as writing to the other side, the model conditions say the insurer pays nothing at all.
Here the insured event is whatever changes your legal position, for example the death of a relative or a separation. Many tariffs cap this benefit, often at one consultation and at most EUR 1,000 a year, and have longer waiting periods.
The deductible eats small bills
The insurer deducts your deductible per insured event. If it is EUR 250 and the consultation costs EUR 226.10, you get nothing back. The cover only pays off once the advice turns into a letter, a negotiation or a lawsuit.
Many tariffs also offer telephone legal advice. Before signing, ask whether a deductible applies to it and whether it counts as an insured event; the answer is in the policy conditions, not in the brochure.
When you do not need legal insurance for this
On a low income you can get a legal advice aid certificate (Beratungshilfeschein) from the local court. The lawyer may then charge you at most EUR 15. Union members can turn to their union for employment law questions.
For a single question without a dispute, paying up to EUR 226.10 yourself is often cheaper than a year's premium. Legal insurance is worth it for court costs, not for first consultations.
Step by step
Check whether a breach has already happened, such as a dismissal, a reminder or a rent increase.
Check that the area of law is covered and the waiting period is over.
Report to the insurer and ask for cover before the appointment.
Ask the lawyer for the price of the first consultation.
Check whether the deductible also applies to advice only.
Checklist
Area of law covered
Dispute arose after the start and the waiting period
Request for cover sent
Deductible known
Advice cover for family and inheritance in the policy
Telephone advice of the tariff used if available
Common mistakes
Expecting cover for a purely precautionary question
In family law, letting the lawyer write a letter and losing the advice benefit
Forgetting the deductible on small bills
Telling the insurer only after the appointment
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
What does a first consultation cost without legal insurance?
For consumers without a fee agreement at most EUR 190 net, so EUR 226.10 including VAT.
Does legal insurance pay for advice on a will?
Only under agreed advice cover and only once your legal position changes,
for example through a death.
Pure drafting advice is usually not paid.
Can I see an English speaking lawyer?
Yes, you have a free choice of lawyer.
The insurer pays at the statutory fees; translation costs are not always covered.
Does a first consultation count as a claim?
Yes, if the insurer pays it.
Whether telephone advice from the tariff counts is set out in the policy conditions.
Can I get advice first and take out cover afterwards?
That does not help: a dispute that began before the policy started remains excluded.
