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Everyone living in Germany must have these three documents.
You can create them for free, and it'll help your family decide on your behalf when you can't on your own.
What is a power of attorney (Vorsorgevollmacht) in Germany?
Power of attorney (Vorsorgevollmacht) is a document in which you specify who can decide on your behalf if you cannot on your own. It could be because of an accident or a serious illness.
Why do you need a power of attorney in Germany?
- Your spouse or children cannot decide on your behalf unless you have mentioned them in your power of attorney.
- Emergency spousal representation: From Jan 2023, spouses can make decisions on behalf of their partner. However, this is limited to health matters only, and spouses can make such decisions for six months only (Section 1358 BGB). Your spouse can use the template from the Federal Chamber of Notaries to exercise their right of emergency spousal representation.
- Without a power of attorney, the court assigns an authorized representative. This person could be a family member or someone else.
- If the court assigns someone, you bear the court and administrative costs. Additionally, the court takes its time to appoint someone.
How do you create a power of attorney in Germany?
You have four options to create a power of attorney in Germany.
- Create yourself using the template from the Ministry of Justice (BMJ)
- Use the free online tool by Verbraucherzentrale (Consumer advice center)
- Use paid online services like Patientenverfuegungplus, Afilio
- Contact a lawyer if you have special needs
Free tools
You can generate simple power of attorneys using these tools. Once you have the power of attorney, you should do the following.
- Sign it
- Register it in the Federal Chamber of Notaries' pension register (Vorsorgeregisters der Bundesnotarkammer).
- Get your signature on a power of attorney certified by the care authority (Betreuungsbehörde Beglaubigung) or notary.
The court can determine if a power of attorney exists by enquiring the register. Thus, it's critical that you register your power of attorney.
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Stop paying high premiums
95% of the services offered by all public health insurance companies are the same. The reason is that the government regulates health insurers and ensures they provide the same coverage.
This is why locals switch to a public insurance company that charges lower premiums.
You can compare the premium you pay with your current public insurer and potential savings here.
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Change contracts to save money
Switching your electricity, gas, internet, car insurance, and other contracts can save you money. Companies and comparison portals offer various discounts to attract new customers. Switching your contracts can save you more than 1000€.
How do you do it?
- Simply compare plans on Check24 or Verivox.
- If you find a cheaper contract, sign up for it.
- The new company takes care of canceling your old contract.
New on GermanPedia
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Launched "Flashcards" to help you prepare for the German citizenship test 🥳
Preparing 310 questions for the German naturalization test can be scary. Moreover, the questions do not have an English translation or explanation, which can make learning tough and boring. Not anymore! Join our FREE course or buy flashcards to crack the citizenship test within 15 days without sweat.
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Lending money to family or friends
You usually don't sign a contract when lending money to family or friends. However, it's highly recommended that you do so. We have created a loan agreement template you can use when lending money to family or friends.
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Disclaimer
The information provided here is based on our own experience and in-depth research. The content might be inaccurate. It should not be considered financial, insurance, tax, legal, or any kind of advice.
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