Amtsanwalt or Amtsanwältin is a specialized legal profession in Germany designed to alleviate the workload of prosecutors (Staatsanwälte) in the criminal justice system by handling minor and medium-level offenses. Professionals in this field manage investigations for less complex cases such as theft, simple assault, fraud, or traffic offenses, file charges against victims, and conduct main hearings before judges. Like prosecutors, they act independently and responsibly, making requests and delivering closing arguments in court, thereby significantly contributing to the swift and efficient functioning of the justice system.
Amtsanwälte and Amtsanwältinnen are primarily employed in courts, public prosecutor's offices (Staatsanwaltschaften), or justice administrations. Their work environment typically includes offices, meeting rooms, and courtrooms; they may also work from home or remotely as needed.
To pursue this profession in Germany, a specific career path must be followed. First, it is mandatory to have successfully completed the career examination as a "Rechtspfleger/in" (judicial officer/court clerk). Subsequently, one must have served as a civil servant in the "gehobener Dienst" (higher intermediate service) category for at least three years and meet the age limits specified in some federal states. Candidates who fulfill these prerequisites attend a special scientific course (fachwissenschaftlicher Lehrgang) lasting 15-20 months at a Fachhochschule für Rechtspflege (University of Applied Sciences for Judicial Administration). This education includes theoretical subjects such as criminal law, criminal procedure law, and traffic law, as well as practical skills like drafting indictments and representing cases in court.
Direct entry into this profession is quite difficult for Turkish students or professionals, as "Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin" is a "Beamtenausbildung" (civil service training) and a civil servant status that generally requires German or EU citizenship. Furthermore, the prerequisite "Rechtspfleger/in" Ausbildung is also a civil service training and specific to the German legal system.
What is Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin?
Programs that lead to this profession
Law & Economics field →The profession Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin in Germany is generally reached through programs in the Law & Economics field:
- Betriebswirtschaftslehre/Business Studies
Master · Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
Academic Presentation and Communication
Bachelor · Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes
Academic Reading and Writing
Bachelor · Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes
Accounting and Auditing
Master · Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Accounting and Auditing
Master · Hochschule des Bundes für öffentliche Verwaltung
Accounting and Controlling
Master · Westfälische Hochschule Gelsenkirchen Bocholt Recklinghausen
Detailed Information
▶ Places of Learning
Learning locations include: North Rhine-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences for Judicial Administration (Fachhochschule für Rechtspflege): lecture halls, seminar and practice rooms, libraries. Courts, public prosecutor's offices, police authorities: offices, meeting rooms, courtrooms. At home (e.g., preparing for and reviewing courses, preparing presentations).
▶ Latest
Amendment of the Federal Civil Service Ordinance (Bundeslaufbahnverordnung): The new Federal Civil Service Ordinance came into force on March 17, 2026. It opens up demand-oriented special access routes to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. One focus of the reform is the equalization of vocational and academic education. For example, access for individuals with professional advanced training degrees such as Bachelor Professional or Master Professional is now also possible in the higher technical administrative service and the higher scientific service.
▶ Profile
Job Type: Civil service training (Beamtenausbildung), higher service. Type of Training: Specialized scientific course at the North Rhine-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences for Judicial Administration (Fachhochschule für Rechtspflege), practical training at courts, public prosecutor's offices, and police authorities. Qualification: Special career path. Duration: 15-20 months. Tasks and Activities: Public prosecutors (Amtsanwälte/Amtsanwältinnen) perform the duties of public prosecutors (Staatsanwälte/Staatsanwältinnen) on their behalf. As an organ of justice in criminal law, their main task is to relieve the public prosecutor's office. Therefore, their jurisdiction exclusively covers crimes of light to medium severity such as theft, assault, fraud, or traffic offenses. Otherwise, public prosecutors act as independently and responsibly as public prosecutors. They lead investigations, file charges against affected parties, and conduct main hearings before judges. There, they make motions and deliver a closing statement at the end.
▶ Training Duration
Usually 15-20 months.
▶ Selection Procedure
In the selection process, personal and professional suitability is assessed. This takes place, for example, during an interview.
▶ Training Structure
Structure of a training in the public prosecutor's service: Specialized Scientific Course I at the North Rhine-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences for Judicial Administration (Fachhochschule für Rechtspflege): 4 months. Practical training in the public prosecutor's service or at a public prosecutor's office, and if necessary, at a police authority: 9 months. Specialized Scientific Course II at the North Rhine-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences for Judicial Administration: 2 months. Career examination. Total study duration: 15 months.
▶ Training Costs
Course fees are not charged. Travel expenses or costs for learning materials may arise. Costs for accommodation at the training location may also be incurred.
▶ Training Content
Theoretical training sections, e.g.: Tasks, history, and significance of criminal law. Historical position of criminal law within the legal system. General and Special Part of the Criminal Code. Road traffic law. Administrative offenses law. General and Special Part of substantive criminal law. Criminal procedure law. Ancillary laws. Training in free speech and closing arguments. Introduction to exam technique. Practical training sections impart professional knowledge and experience, e.g., in drafting indictments and dismissal orders, and in representing the prosecution in court (presentation).
▶ Training Situation
One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: During theoretical training sections: Courses: Attending lectures and seminars in the lecture halls and seminar rooms of the North Rhine-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences for Judicial Administration (Fachhochschule für Rechtspflege). Practical exercises: e.g., working on complex tasks from the areas of substantive criminal law, road traffic law, administrative offenses law, and criminal procedure law. Independent work: Preparing for and reviewing courses, researching in libraries, preparing presentations, completing assignments (also during lecture-free periods). Organization: e.g., adhering to given deadlines for presentations and assignments. During practical training sections: Practical participation (under guidance): e.g., prosecuting crimes, leading investigative proceedings, filing charges in court. Practice-oriented courses: Deepening specialized knowledge. Key qualifications: e.g., problem-solving, organization.
▶ Training Pay
The supplementary training takes place in the form of an introductory period for the civil servants admitted to it. During this introductory period, the prospective public prosecutors retain their previous official or service title and receive a corresponding salary.
▶ Important Prior Knowledge
In-depth knowledge of law and German are good prerequisites for a successful preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst). Legal sciences constitute a significant part of the training. German is necessary for preparing and delivering presentations.
▶ Training Alternatives
The following alternatives are available for the profession of Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin (public prosecutor/assistant public prosecutor): In the field of law and administration, Civil Servant in General Internal Administration (higher non-technical service), Bailiff (higher service), Legal Science (undergraduate, excluding the First Legal Examination), Public Law (undergraduate), Business Law (undergraduate), State and Administrative Science (undergraduate). The commonality is applying legal knowledge in administrative processes.
▶ Development of the Training
From 2007, inter-state advanced training (Fortbildung) for legal officers (Rechtspfleger) for the Amtsanwalt service has been offered at the North Rhine-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences for Legal Administration (Fachhochschule für Rechtspflege Nordrhein-Westfalen).
▶ The Training at a Glance
The training (Ausbildung) in the Amtsanwalt service is conducted as a preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst) and typically lasts 15 to 20 months. It is primarily organized as an additional training (Zusatzausbildung) and regulated by the ordinances of the federal states (Bundesland). The training concludes with a career examination (Laufbahnprüfung).
▶ Qualification / Job Titles
This career path is established in the following federal states (Bundesland), but no specific graduation/professional titles are available: Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein. Career titles are Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin (higher service). The competent authorities in the individual federal states determine whether this career path is offered as a training (Ausbildung).
▶ Prospects After Training
Finding the right area of deployment after training: After their training, Amtsanwälte and Amtsanwältinnen primarily work in courts, public prosecutor's offices, and justice administrations. Staying up-to-date: Through adaptive further training (Anpassungsweiterbildung), one keeps their specialized knowledge current or brings it up to date. The range of topics extends from business law to public administration. Advancing professionally: With appropriate aptitude, Amtsanwälte and Amtsanwältinnen have the opportunity to move to the next higher career path after a successful promotion procedure. Further university studies (Studium) can also be considered. For example, obtaining a master's degree in legal science is a logical step.
▶ Legal Regulations for the Training
The preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst) is regulated by the federal states (Bundesland) in their own ordinances. The respective provisions may differ from each other. For example, various regulations exist, such as the Ministry of Justice's ordinance on training and examination for the Amtsanwalt service career (APrOAmtsanw) or the State of Berlin's ordinance on training and examination for the Amtsanwalt service career (APOAA). Other federal states also have similar regulations.
▶ Entry Requirements for the Training
A completed career examination (Laufbahnprüfung) as a legal officer (Rechtspfleger) is a prerequisite. Furthermore, there are maximum age limits in individual federal states (Bundesland). Candidates for the Amtsanwalt service must have served as civil servants (Beamte/Beamtinnen) in the higher service for at least 3 years, depending on the federal state.
Source: BERUFENET · Bundesagentur für Arbeit
Frequently Asked Questions about Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin
Education path, salary, recognition, and entry routes for foreigners
What does a Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin do in Germany? ▼
Amtsanwalt or Amtsanwältin is a specialized legal profession in Germany designed to alleviate the workload of prosecutors (Staatsanwälte) in the criminal justice system by handling minor and medium-level offenses. Professionals in this field manage investigations for less complex cases such as theft, simple assault, fraud, or traffic offenses, file charges against victims, and conduct main hearings before judges. Like prosecutors, they act independently and responsibly, making requests and delivering closing arguments in court, thereby significantly contributing to the swift and efficient functioning of the justice system.
Amtsanwälte and Amtsanwältinnen are primarily employed in courts, public prosecutor's offices (Staatsanwaltschaften), or justice administrations. Their work environment typically includes offices, meeting rooms, and courtrooms; they may also work from home or remotely as needed.
To pursue this profession in Germany, a specific career path must be followed. First, it is mandatory to have successfully completed the career examination as a "Rechtspfleger/in" (judicial officer/court clerk). Subsequently, one must have served as a civil servant in the "gehobener Dienst" (higher intermediate service) category for at least three years and meet the age limits specified in some federal states. Candidates who fulfill these prerequisites attend a special scientific course (fachwissenschaftlicher Lehrgang) lasting 15-20 months at a Fachhochschule für Rechtspflege (University of Applied Sciences for Judicial Administration). This education includes theoretical subjects such as criminal law, criminal procedure law, and traffic law, as well as practical skills like drafting indictments and representing cases in court.
Direct entry into this profession is quite difficult for Turkish students or professionals, as "Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin" is a "Beamtenausbildung" (civil service training) and a civil servant status that generally requires German or EU citizenship. Furthermore, the prerequisite "Rechtspfleger/in" Ausbildung is also a civil service training and specific to the German legal system.
Is Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin an Ausbildung or a degree path? ▼
In Germany, "Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin" follows a 3-year dual Ausbildung — combining a vocational school (Berufsschule) with paid on-the-job training at a company. No university degree required.
How can I qualify as Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin in Germany? ▼
In Germany, "Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin" follows a 3-year dual Ausbildung — combining a vocational school (Berufsschule) with paid on-the-job training at a company. No university degree required. Foreign applicants should additionally verify diploma recognition via anabin.kmk.org before applying.
Where do Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin typically work in Germany? ▼
Workplace varies by employer. Check the official BERUFENET listing for the current breakdown of typical work environments for Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin.
What is the typical salary for Amtsanwalt/Amtsanwältin in Germany? ▼
Salaries vary by region, employer size, and experience. Consult BERUFENET for current figures, or salary aggregators like gehalt.de and stepstone.de Gehaltsreport.