GermanyWho gets custody of the children after divorce?
In Germany, custody (parental care) is presumed to be joint after divorce unless the family court decides otherwise based on the child’s best interests.
What the Law Says
German law starts from the principle that both parents share responsibility for their child—even after separation or divorce—unless circumstances require a different arrangement.
Under § 1626 of the German Civil Code (BGB), parental care (elterliche Sorge) includes both personal care (Personensorge) and financial care (Vermögenssorge) for the minor child. Parents must act in the child’s best interest, support their growing independence, and involve the child in decisions appropriate to their age and maturity.
Section 1626(3) emphasizes that regular contact with both parents is generally in the child’s best interest—and the same applies to other important people in the child’s life, like grandparents or siblings, if maintaining those bonds supports healthy development.
If parents separate, either may apply under § 1671 BGB for sole custody—or sole responsibility for part of parental care—if joint custody is no longer feasible or beneficial. The family court will grant the request only if it serves the child’s best interest—or if the other parent consents (with exceptions for children aged 14+ who object).
Statutory TextDie Eltern haben die Pflicht und das Recht, für das minderjährige Kind zu sorgen (elterliche Sorge). Die elterliche Sorge umfasst die Sorge für die Person des Kindes (Personensorge) und das Vermögen des Kindes (Vermögenssorge).
— BGB § 1626 — Parental care (custody)
Statutory TextZum Wohl des Kindes gehört in der Regel der Umgang mit beiden Elternteilen.
— BGB § 1626 — Parental care (custody)
Statutory TextDem Antrag ist stattzugeben, soweit der andere Elternteil zustimmt, es sei denn, das Kind hat das 14. Lebensjahr vollendet und widerspricht der Übertragung, oder zu erwarten ist, dass die Aufhebung der gemeinsamen Sorge und die Übertragung auf den Antragsteller dem Wohl des Kindes am besten entspricht.
— BGB § 1671 — Transfer of sole parental care upon separation
What Courts Have Said
German courts consistently prioritize the child’s well-being over parental preferences—and strongly favor joint custody where cooperation is possible.
The court reaffirmed that the child’s best interest (Kindeswohl) is the decisive factor in custody decisions. Joint custody should remain in place unless there are serious, documented reasons—such as conflict, neglect, or safety concerns—that make it unworkable or harmful to the child.
What to Do
Continue cooperating with the other parent on major decisions about your child’s health, education, and welfare.
If cooperation breaks down, seek mediation before filing for sole custody.
File an application with the local family court (Familiengericht) under § 1671 BGB if joint custody is no longer viable.
Prepare evidence showing how your proposed arrangement serves your child’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
Respect your child’s voice—especially if they’re 14 or older, as their objection can block a sole custody transfer.
Sources
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South KoreaNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.