All about this insurance: Legal expenses insurance
Do I need legal expenses insurance in Germany?
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How much does legal expenses insurance cost in Germany?
In short
A legal expenses insurance package (Rechtsschutzversicherung) covering private life, work and traffic usually costs EUR 300 to 500 a year in Germany, in some tariffs almost EUR 1,000. Singles pay about EUR 25 to 32 a month, families EUR 32 to 40. A deductible and only the modules you really need save the most.
What it costs
Guide figures from published tests and tariff examples.
| Example | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Family with two children, private, work, traffic, EUR 150 deductible | about EUR 251 to 978 a year |
| Single, 30 years old, four modules, EUR 300 deductible | about EUR 25 to 32 a month |
| Family, four modules | about EUR 32 to 40 a month |
Guide values as of September 2026. The figures in the worked example and the price for traffic legal cover alone are guide values from our quoting practice; we obtain the exact quote for you.
Worked example
Couple without children, renting, one car
Package with all four modules and a EUR 300 deductible.
| Private, work, traffic, housing | about EUR 30 to 38 a month |
| Without the housing module | about EUR 5 to 8 less |
| Deductible EUR 150 instead of EUR 300 | somewhat more expensive |
About EUR 360 to 460 a year for full cover.
What drives the price
Legal expenses insurance is built from modules: private (Privat), work (Beruf), traffic (Verkehr) and housing (Wohnen). Each module costs extra.
Then come the deductible, your household and whether you are employed, a civil servant or self-employed.
| Factor | Effect on the premium |
|---|---|
| Number of modules | strong, every module costs |
| Deductible of EUR 150 to 300 | clearly cheaper |
| Family instead of single | somewhat more expensive |
| Self-employed | clearly more expensive, separate business cover |
| No claims | some tariffs lower the deductible |
What is different if you come from abroad
Legal expenses insurance is far more common in Germany than in the UK or US. One reason: lawyers' fees follow a statutory fee scale, and whoever loses a civil case usually pays both sides' costs. Arrangements where the lawyer only gets paid if you win, common in the US, are only allowed in narrow cases here.
At the labour court each side pays its own lawyer in the first instance, even if you win. That is why the work module matters most for employees, and why many newcomers take it out before their first job in Germany. Note the usual waiting period (Wartezeit) of about three months before disputes are covered.
Disputes about your residence permit or matters in your home country are usually not covered. Check the list of exclusions before you sign.
Which modules are worth it
Employees who are not in a trade union benefit most from the work module, renters from the housing module.
Traffic legal cover alone is available cheaply. It is worth it for people who drive a lot, even without the rest of the package.
Where saving becomes expensive
Cheap tariffs often limit the sum insured or exclude disputes with your own insurer.
A deductible that is too high can mean that small disputes are practically never covered.
Step by step
- List the areas of life where a dispute could come up.
- Choose only the modules that fit.
- Set a deductible between EUR 150 and 300.
- Compare sum insured and exclusions.
- Get several quotes with the same cover.
Checklist
- Only the modules you need
- Deductible chosen on purpose
- High or unlimited sum insured
- Free choice of lawyer, ideally one who speaks your language
- Waiting period known and credit for previous cover checked
Common mistakes
- Booking every module although you own your home and have no car
- Looking only at the price and missing exclusions
- Choosing a deductible so high that nothing is worth claiming
- Signing only after a dispute has started, when it is no longer covered
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
How much does legal expenses insurance cost per month?
Usually EUR 20 to 40 for a package, single modules from a few euros.
Can I choose an English speaking lawyer?
Most tariffs let you choose your lawyer freely. The lawyer must be admitted to practise, and fees follow the German scale.
Is legal expenses insurance tax deductible?
The share for the work module can count as income related expenses. Ask your tax adviser.
What does traffic legal cover alone cost?
Often clearly under EUR 100 a year.
Is paying yearly cheaper than monthly?
Often yes, many insurers charge extra for monthly payment.
Sources
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NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act, broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37. For boat and yacht insurance we act as underwriting agency, not as broker. Statutory disclosure (German) · Updated