File for personal bankruptcy
Initiate consumer bankruptcy proceedings in local court after an unsuccessful attempt at an out-of-court settlement—discharge of remaining debt possible after 3 years.
Wo wohnen Sie?
Damit wir File for personal bankruptcy mit dem zuständigen Insolvenzgericht in Ihrer Stadt anzeigen können.
Oder Großstadt wählen:
Sie werden zur geführten Suche weitergeleitet – mit Kontaktdaten, Termin und nächsten Schritten für File for personal bankruptcy.
Quick answer
- 1
Documents you need
List of creditors · Statement of Assets · Certificate of Failed Mediation
- 2
Responsible authority
The authority of your main residence
- 3
How to do it
In person or by post at the office
- 4
Costs
Kostenlos über ELSTER
How to proceed
- 1
Seek debt counseling
Attempting to reach an out-of-court settlement with creditors is a legal requirement.
- 2
Certificate of Failed Mediation
An accredited counseling center issues a certificate of failure.
- 3
Application to the District Court
Official form with a list of creditors and a statement of assets.
- 4
Insolvency Proceedings and the Good Conduct Period
Discharge of remaining debt after 3 years of complying with the rules.
Responsible authority
The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →
The essentials before applying
Who is eligible?
Over-indebted individuals who are not self-employed.
Income limit
Processing time
Nationwide: approx. approx. 37 months
Success rate
approx. 85.0 % (estimate)
Most common mistakes
- •Did not seek debt counseling
- •Complete list of creditors is missing
Common reasons for rejection
- •No evidence of a failed attempt at an out-of-court settlement
Alternatives
- Check related services in the application assistant
- Use social counselling before applying
If rejected
Read the decision carefully: often submitting missing documents or reapplying helps more than an objection.
Related services
Questions & Answers
How long does personal bankruptcy take?▼
Since 2021, the discharge period has been 3 years (previously 6 years).
Freshness & source
- Maintenance
- Continuously reviewed & updated
- Source
- ELSTER – Finanzverwaltung
- Data quality
- 100 %