How is pain and suffering compensation calculated in Germany for personal injury claims?

What the Law Says

German law does not prescribe a mathematical formula for pain and suffering compensation. Instead, § 253 of the German Civil Code (BGB) establishes the legal basis for claiming monetary compensation for non-material harm—but only in specific cases, such as bodily injury or violation of personal rights.

Under BGB § 253(1), compensation for non-material damage (e.g., pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life) is generally not available unless explicitly permitted by law.

Subsection (2) creates the key exception: when someone suffers injury to their body, health, freedom, or sexual self-determination, they may claim ‘a fair monetary compensation’ (eine billige Entschädigung in Geld) for the non-material harm—even without financial loss.

The term 'billige' (fair or reasonable) reflects judicial discretion—not automatic entitlement—and requires balancing seriousness, duration, age, occupation, and long-term consequences.

Statutory Text

Wegen eines Schadens, der nicht Vermögensschaden ist, kann Entschädigung in Geld nur in den durch das Gesetz bestimmten Fällen gefordert werden.

— BGB § 253(1) — German Civil Code

Statutory Text

Ist wegen einer Verletzung des Körpers, der Gesundheit, der Freiheit oder der sexuellen Selbstbestimmung Schadensersatz zu leisten, kann auch wegen des Schadens, der nicht Vermögensschaden ist, eine billige Entschädigung in Geld gefordert werden.

— BGB § 253(2) — German Civil Code

What Courts Have Said

German courts rely on established practice and comparative case law—not statutes—to determine appropriate amounts. Awards are guided by internal judicial tables and prior rulings reflecting injury severity and recovery time.

What to Do

Sources

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