The application for admission to the bar must be submitted to the bar association in whose jurisdiction admission is sought. Once admitted, a law office must be established and maintained within the jurisdiction of that bar association.

Admission to the bar takes effect upon delivery of a certificate issued by the bar association (Section 12(1) BRAO). The certificate may not be issued until the applicant has taken the oath and has provided proof of professional liability insurance or submitted a provisional letter of coverage (Section 12(2) BRAO).

Upon admission, the attorney becomes a member of the admitting Bar Association and may practice under the German professional title “Rechtsanwältin” or “Rechtsanwalt” (Section 12(3) and (4) BRAO).

Upon admission, membership in the pension fund becomes mandatory. The Bavarian Lawyers’and Tax Advisors’ Pension Fund automatically contacts the new members of the Bar Association and also sends the necessary application forms for exemption from the mandatory statutory pension insurance or for retroactive coverage by the pension fund for the period of legal clerkship.