The E-Exam in German law studies, meaning the written paper on a laptop instead of on paper, has been introduced in several federal states, but not everywhere for both state examinations. If you sit an exam in 2026 or 2027, you should know which state offers which exam digitally. This overview reflects the position as of November 2026 for the states on which we have reliable information.
In short: As of November 2026, several states run digital exams, but to different extents. Bavaria offers the E-Exam voluntarily for the first state examination, for the first time in the 2026/2 cycle. Baden-Württemberg has run the second examination digitally since December 2024, while the first is still only planned. Lower Saxony has not yet introduced the E-Exam.
The most important points
- The E-Exam is not one uniform procedure. Each state sets its own process, dates and choice rules.
- North Rhine-Westphalia has implemented the digital second examination. According to a state parliament paper, 96.6 percent of candidates chose electronic work.
- In Bavaria the E-Exam for the first examination is voluntary, first offered for the papers on 9 and 16 September 2026.
- In Baden-Württemberg the second examination has been digital since 3 December 2024. The first examination is only planned.
- Saxony-Anhalt has offered the E-Exam for the second examination since 2019. An information sheet of January 2024 planned the first examination from August 2024.
- The choice is usually made in the application for admission, and it is often binding.
Which states already offer the E-Exam?
The table summarises the information in the sources cited below. The authority responsible for your examination always has the final word, because dates and procedures can change at short notice.
| State | Status of introduction | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | Second examination digital since 3 December 2024. First examination only planned, depending on budget funds | Press release of the state justice ministry, 6 November 2024 |
| Bavaria | First examination voluntary and digital, first offered in the 2026/2 cycle with papers on 9 and 16 September 2026 | State examination office of Bavaria, E-Exam page, undated, status end of 2025 or later |
| Lower Saxony | Not yet introduced. A motion in the state parliament calls for implementation | State parliament paper 19/4576, 11 June 2024 |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | Second examination implemented, 96.6 percent of candidates chose electronic work | State parliament paper 19/4576, 11 June 2024 |
| Saarland | Papers can be written electronically from August, according to the university | University of the Saarland, notice of 2 July 2025 |
| Saxony-Anhalt | Second examination since 2019, first examination from August 2024 according to information, choice in the application | State examination office of Saxony-Anhalt, information of January 2024 |
The parliament paper from Lower Saxony also names further states that have introduced the E-Exam without listing them. This mainly concerns the supervised papers of the second state examination. For your planning, this remark helps only to a limited extent.
What applies to the first and the second state examination?
The difference matters because the two examinations follow different procedures. The first examination, the state compulsory subject exam (staatliche Pflichtfachprüfung), is taken during the degree. The second examination closes the preparatory service (Referendariat). Several states started with the second examination, as the parliament paper and the state releases show.
Baden-Württemberg shows this split clearly. The second examination has been digital since its debut on 3 December 2024. The state examination office reported 490 participants, of whom more than 85 percent chose electronic work. The first examination appears in the press release only as an outlook and is to start once the budget provides the funds.
How do you check whether your state offers the E-Exam?
There is no single answer. These steps lead reliably to the right information, even though the position changes during the year.
- Identify the state in which you sit the examination, not the state where you study.
- Find out whether you are taking the compulsory subject exam or the second examination, because the rules can differ.
- Read the page of the state examination office on the E-Exam and check the date of the information.
- Check the deadline in the application for admission, since the choice is usually fixed there.
Why the choice in the application for admission matters
In Bavaria you choose between handwritten and electronic work in the application for admission. The choice is generally binding, and a change is possible only in case of illness under the rules for compensation of disadvantages. In Saxony-Anhalt you may switch until two weeks before the examination, according to the January 2024 information. Both rules show that the application for admission is the central point where you commit.
Which aids and devices apply to the E-Exam?
In Bavaria the paper is still written in the examination hall. Each candidate receives an examination laptop with a screen of at least 15 inches, and private devices are not allowed. According to the state examination office, the laptop has no internet access. The software resembles a word processor and offers no spell checker, no search function and no clock.
You still bring the permitted aids in paper form. Your own keyboard is allowed only in two approved models, and the mouse is provided. The text is saved automatically, so if a device fails you can continue on a replacement. Other states may regulate this differently, so read the rules of your own state.
Frequently asked questions
Is the E-Exam compulsory?
In Bavaria the digital form for the first examination is voluntary. In the application for admission you choose whether to write on the laptop or by hand. Whether other states require it depends on their own rules, which you can ask the state examination office about.
Does the E-Exam also apply in my state?
That depends on the state and the examination. The table lists the states on which the cited sources provide information. For the remaining states this guide does not give a reliable statement, so we refer you to the responsible authority.
What happens to the papers after the examination?
For questions about marking and inspection of your papers, ask the responsible state examination office, because the rules differ between states.
Where can I find the current position?
The websites of the state examination offices are the most reliable source. Check the date of each piece of information, because pilot phases and dates can change. The guide on the digital exam in the first state examination (in German) explains the process in more detail.
What you can do now
- Note the state and the examination you are interested in.
- Check the website of the state examination office to see whether the E-Exam is offered and whether you can choose.
- Watch the deadline in the application for admission and whether your choice is binding.
- Read the process description before you decide on device and aids.
Related articles
- Staatsexamen and Referendariat: Reforms, Deadlines and Rules at a Glance, the hub for this topic group.
- Digital Exam in the First State Examination: How the E-Exam Works.
- Second State Examination Digital: What Rhineland-Palatinate Allows for the First Time.
- Free Attempt in the State Examination.
- Trainee Pay 2027: When Referendariat Salaries Rise.
Sources: State parliament of Lower Saxony, paper 19/4576, 11 June 2024; State examination office of Bavaria, E-Exam, status end of 2025 or later; State justice ministry of Baden-Württemberg, press release, 6 November 2024; University of the Saarland, notice of 2 July 2025; State examination office of Saxony-Anhalt, E-Exam information, status January 2024 (all in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
