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Government · Germany
Updated September 2026

⚖️ A public body treated me unfairly — how do I complain to the ombudsman?

Direct answer

The ombudsman — Petitionsausschuss / Bürgerbeauftragte der Länder (epetitionen.bundestag.de) — investigates how public bodies act: delays, silence, rudeness, lost files, refusal to explain, unequal treatment. It is free, independent, and its reports carry weight. Two conditions in most countries: you complained to the body itself first, and the complaint is within a deadline (often one year). The ombudsman does not overturn decisions — for that, object and appeal (see that page); Amtsgericht — Beratungshilfe / Prozesskostenhilfe (bmj.de) helps with the legal route; Verwaltungsgericht (bverwg.de) is the court. Many countries have specialised ombudsmen too (children, patients, financial) — Petitionsausschuss / Bürgerbeauftragte der Länder redirects you.

Call firstPetitionsausschuss / Bürgerbeauftragte der Länder
Report toAmtsgericht — Beratungshilfe / Prozesskostenhilfe
If that failsVerwaltungsgericht

🗣️ What to say

"I complain about [body] concerning [what happened, dates]. I raised this with them on [date] and [no answer / an unsatisfactory answer, attached]. I consider their conduct [unreasonable / unfair / negligent] because [reasons]. I ask you to investigate and to recommend [what]."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Complain to the body firstIn writing; keep it. The ombudsman will ask for it.
  2. Within the deadlineUsually a year from the conduct, sometimes less. Later is possible with a reason.
  3. Complaint to Petitionsausschuss / Bürgerbeauftragte der LänderOnline form: what happened, what you did, what you want. Attach the correspondence.
  4. InvestigationThe ombudsman asks the body for its side, may look at the file, and issues findings and recommendations. Months, not weeks.
  5. Decision itself wrong? Amtsgericht — Beratungshilfe / Prozesskostenhilfe, VerwaltungsgerichtThe legal route runs in parallel and has its own deadline — do not wait for the ombudsman to appeal.

📇 All contacts

Petitionsausschuss / Bürgerbeauftragte der LänderComplaints about authorities, inaction, unfair treatmentWhen the authority does not answer or acts unfairly🔗 epetitionen.bundestag.de
Amtsgericht — Beratungshilfe / ProzesskostenhilfeFree legal advice and court costs on low incomeWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.bmj.de/DE/themen/gerichtsverfahren/beratungshilfe_prozesskostenhilfe/beratungshilfe_prozesskostenhilfe_node.html
VerwaltungsgerichtCourt action against administrative decisions after the objectionWithin one month of the objection decision🔗 www.bverwg.de

❓ Frequently asked

Is the ombudsman's decision binding?

Recommendations are not binding, but public bodies follow the vast majority and parliament publishes those that do not.

Can I complain about the police, a hospital, a school?

Yes, for public services; some have their own complaints bodies first. Petitionsausschuss / Bürgerbeauftragte der Länder's site lists which.

Can the ombudsman award compensation?

It can recommend it, and many bodies pay on recommendation. For a right to compensation, the court.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “ombudsman complaint Germany”
  • “complain about government office unfair”
  • “ombudsman deadline complaint”
  • “public body no answer complaint”
  • “maladministration complaint”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

📩Object to a decision→📂Information request→💡Broken streetlight→🗑️Illegal dumping→

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