GermanyCan I Sue a Corporation in Small Claims Court in Germany?
Yes — but Germany has no 'small claims court' per se; instead, the Amtsgericht handles civil claims up to €5,000 via simplified procedures like the Mahnverfahren or oral hearing under § 495a ZPO.
What the Law Says
Germany does not operate a separate 'small claims court' like common law jurisdictions. Instead, the Amtsgericht (local court) is exclusively competent for civil monetary claims up to €5,000 (§ 23 Nr. 1 Gerichtsverfassungsgesetz – GVG). For such claims, streamlined procedures apply — notably the Mahnverfahren (dunning procedure, §§ 688–697a ZPO) and, if contested, the simplified oral hearing under § 495a ZPO.
Under § 495a Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO), the Amtsgericht may decide claims ≤ €5,000 without full formalities: written submissions are prioritized, evidence is limited, and hearings are expedited. This applies equally to natural persons and corporations — no exemption exists for corporate defendants.
Corporations (e.g., GmbH, AG) are fully subject to these proceedings. Representation by a lawyer is not mandatory in Amtsgericht proceedings below €5,000 (§ 78 ZPO), though advisable for complex factual or legal issues.
Statutory TextThe local court shall decide claims up to five thousand euros in simplified proceedings, with reduced formal requirements and limited evidentiary scope.
— ZPO, § 495a(1)
Statutory TextJurisdiction for civil claims not exceeding five thousand euros lies exclusively with the local court.
— GVG, § 23 Nr. 1
What to Do
Determine if your claim is ≤ €5,000 and falls under Amtsgericht jurisdiction (e.g., breach of contract, unpaid invoice, defective service).
File a Mahnbescheid (dunning order) via the electronic portal 'beA' or at your local Amtsgericht — fastest route if the corporation does not contest it within two weeks.
If contested, submit a statement of claim (Klage) and attend the simplified oral hearing; consider consulting a Rechtsanwalt, especially if the corporation is represented.
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Not 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: 2026-10-05.