The legal clerkship (Rechtsreferendariat) in Brandenburg lasts about 25 months according to the state trainee guide, and it consists of several stations. Most trainees want to know two things beyond the training itself: how they are financed and how they are insured. This guide summarises what the available source says and shows where the binding information is. For a comparison with Berlin, see the German guide on the legal clerkship in Berlin (in German).
Short answer: The legal clerkship in Brandenburg lasts about 25 months according to the trainee guide (status January 2023). It includes civil, criminal and administrative stations of three months each, a nine-month law firm station and an elective station. It is financed by a maintenance allowance, whose amount you ask the responsible office for. Last updated: October 2026.
Key points
- According to the guide, training lasts about 25 months.
- The civil, criminal and administrative stations last three months each, the law firm station nine months.
- The elective station lasts four months, or three months with a preparation course.
- The guide names the maintenance allowance, a family allowance and an extra station payment. It does not give the amounts.
- Side jobs are only possible to a limited extent, and training comes first.
How is the legal clerkship in Brandenburg structured?
The preparatory service is divided into stations. The guide, produced by the Brandenburg trainee council and published on the server of the Ministry of the Interior, describes the process over a period of 25 months. The stations are listed as follows:
| Station | Length according to the guide | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Civil station | 3 months | Placement at a court |
| Criminal law station | 3 months | Placement at the public prosecutor or a court |
| Administrative station | 3 months | Placement with an administrative authority |
| Law firm station | 9 months | Placement with a law firm |
| Elective station | 4 months, or 3 months with a preparation course | Free choice, abroad possible |
The sum of the stations does not automatically equal the total length. Introductory courses and examination periods are also part of the training. For your planning, the total period in the guide counts, not a simple addition of the single stations.
When are the examinations?
According to the guide, the written examination takes place in the 20th month. The oral examination usually falls in the first half of the 25th month. Plan your stations so that you have enough time for preparation in the final phase, and agree on the elective station and examination dates early.
How are you financially supported in Brandenburg?
During the stations you receive a maintenance allowance. The guide also names a family allowance and an extra station payment where the conditions are met. It does not say which amounts apply. The responsible body provides that information, and the guide names the Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht) as the contact point.
How are you insured?
The guide does not describe general health insurance in detail. It only mentions a group insurance of the Higher Regional Court for trainees who go abroad. For the elective station abroad there is therefore a separate route. The group cover pays for illness costs but not for holiday periods. For those, an additional travel health insurance may be needed.
For the rest of the time, whether you are statutorily or privately insured depends on your previous insurance and your status. Clarify this before you start, so that no gap arises. If you are family-insured, check whether that cover continues for the whole training, because family insurance has age and income limits. The German guide on health insurance during the legal clerkship (in German) explains the routes in detail.
Can you work a side job during the legal clerkship?
The guide notes that side activities are possible during the introductory courses. For the law firm station, the training plan says that side activities generally remain out of account and that official duties take priority. The detailed rules on side activities are in sections that were not included in the excerpt used here.
Read those sections in full. If in doubt, ask in writing before you begin any activity, and keep a record of the hours you work alongside the training, so that you can show the training came first if asked.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the legal clerkship in Brandenburg exactly last?
The guide speaks of about 25 months. Your appointment letter is the binding basis for your timetable, because only it sets the start and length for your case.
Am I a civil servant in Brandenburg?
The guide does not state this explicitly. It speaks of service duties and pay, which points to a service relationship. Only the appointment letter says definitively whether you are a civil servant.
Will I receive a family allowance?
The guide names the family allowance as a possible payment. Whether it applies to you depends on your family situation. The responsible office gives the answer in writing.
Can I do the elective station abroad, and what does that change for insurance?
Yes, the elective station can take place abroad. There is a group insurance of the Higher Regional Court that covers illness costs but not holiday periods. Check in advance whether you need additional travel health insurance.
Which documents do I need during training?
Keep the appointment letter, station plans, evidence of your family situation and your insurance certificates ready. With these, questions about payments and insurance can be settled quickly.
What to do next
- Read the guide in full, especially the sections on side activities.
- Plan your timetable around the stations, the elective station and the examination months.
- Clarify your health insurance in writing, especially for an elective station abroad.
- Ask the training office about the maintenance allowance and the family allowance.
Related guides
- Legal clerkship Berlin: allowance and health insurance
- Health insurance during the legal clerkship: guide for lawyers (in German)
- Health insurance for trainee lawyers and teachers in Germany
- Trainee with statutory insurance: how voluntary GKV works (in German)
- Clerkship pay by federal state (in German)
Sources: Trainee guide Brandenburg, status January 2023 (produced by the Brandenburg trainee council) (German), Deutsches Richtergesetz (German Judiciary Act), gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed October 2026.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
