Why You Shouldn’t Dismiss Legal Insurance in Germany

When planning a move to Germany, most people focus on the essentials – finding a home, getting health insurance, and registering at the local office. Legal insurance rarely makes it onto that list. But overlooking it can be an expensive mistake.

Many people moving to Germany dismiss Rechtsschutzversicherung (legal insurance) as unnecessary. After all, it’s not mandatory, a bit expensive, and – why would you need a lawyer if you plan to follow the rules? Or as many say, “It won’t happen to me.” Until it does.

In Germany, even small disputes – with a landlord, an employer, or a company that made a mistake on your bill – can quickly become legal issues. And legal advice here is expensive. Without insurance, a single consultation or lawsuit can cost hundreds or even thousands of euros. Legal insurance doesn’t just cover lawsuits; it also gives you access to quick legal advice, letters from lawyers, and representation in different fields.

Here’s a true story of a client: they went shopping at DM, used the self-checkout, and accidentally missed scanning one product. Security caught them. Even though they explained it was a mistake and offered to pay for the €2 item, they were fined €50 and banned for life from DM stores.
But that wasn’t the end – a week later, they received a letter warning that DM would report them to the police for shoplifting. They had to hire a lawyer – and only then decided to sign up for legal insurance.

If you live in Germany long enough, chances are you’ll face a situation where having legal insurance saves you stress, time, and money. We often see newcomers struggle with unexpected legal complications that could have been avoided – or at least simplified – with the right insurance.

We chose this insurance for ourselves and consistently recommend it to our clients. It has proven its value time and time again.

Sometimes, peace of mind is worth insuring.