GermanyWhat is a prenuptial agreement and is it enforceable?
A prenuptial agreement (Ehevertrag) is a legally binding contract between spouses that regulates property rights and other financial matters during marriage and upon divorce. It is enforceable in Germany if properly notarized and does not violate mandatory law or good faith.
What the Law Says
German law strongly supports marital autonomy through prenuptial agreements, allowing couples to customize their financial relationship — but with important limits to protect fairness and basic rights.
Under § 1408 of the German Civil Code (BGB), spouses may freely regulate their property relations (gütterrechtliche Verhältnisse) by contract — before or even after marriage. This includes choosing or changing the marital property regime (e.g., community of accrued gains, separation of property, or community of property).
The law explicitly permits modifying or terminating the default property regime (Zugewinngemeinschaft) via Ehevertrag. However, agreements affecting pension equalization (Versorgungsausgleich) must comply with §§ 6 and 8 of the Versorgungsausgleichsgesetz — meaning those parts cannot be fully waived or altered arbitrarily.
Importantly, while spouses have broad freedom to agree on financial matters, German courts retain oversight: clauses that would cause undue hardship at the time of enforcement (e.g., eliminating spousal maintenance for a dependent spouse after decades of marriage) may be set aside under principles of good faith (Treu und Glauben, BGB § 242) and judicial control (Ausübungskontrolle).
Statutory TextDie Ehegatten können ihre güterrechtlichen Verhältnisse durch Vertrag (Ehevertrag) regeln, insbesondere auch nach der Eingehung der Ehe den Güterstand aufheben oder ändern.
— BGB § 1408 — German Civil Code
Statutory TextSchließen die Ehegatten in einem Ehevertrag Vereinbarungen über den Versorgungsausgleich, so sind insoweit die §§ 6 und 8 des Versorgungsausgleichsgesetzes anzuwenden.
— BGB § 1408 — German Civil Code
What Courts Have Said
German courts uphold prenuptial agreements as long as they meet formal requirements and remain fair in practice — especially when enforcing provisions that affect post-divorce support.
A prenuptial agreement excluding post-divorce spousal maintenance is not automatically invalid, but courts must assess whether enforcing it would create undue hardship at the time of divorce — triggering judicial control (Ausuebungskontrolle) under principles of good faith.
What to Do
Consult a German family law attorney before drafting or signing any Ehevertrag.
Ensure the agreement is executed before a notary public (Notar) — this is mandatory for validity.
Review clauses on spousal maintenance and pension equalization carefully; these are subject to judicial fairness review.
Update your Ehevertrag if major life changes occur (e.g., birth of children, career shifts, or long-term illness).
Sources
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European UnionNot 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.