File an EU261 claim online in Germany — no lawyer (OVErpG)
If an airline rejects your EU261 compensation or stays silent, you used to need a lawyer and a court hearing. Since 2026 it is simpler: Germany's civil online procedure lets you create and submit your claim digitally — without a lawyer. This page explains how it works, and how your Claimy letter is the perfect basis for it.
What is the civil online procedure (OVErpG)?
The OVErpG — Germany's law for the development and testing of an online procedure in civil courts — entered into force at the end of 2025. It lets consumers run certain claims fully digitally, paperless and without a lawyer. Practical testing started in 2026 with two case types:
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Air passenger rights — compensation claims under EU Regulation 261/2004 for delay, cancellation or denied boarding.
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General payment claims up to an amount in dispute of 10,000 euros.
Filing online — step by step
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1
Send a demand letter to the airline — first you send a compensation demand. With Claimy you create it in 30 seconds, legally solid and with the correct amount.
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2
If refused: create the claim online — at service.justiz.de/fluggastrechte you are guided step by step. Your Claimy letter already contains all the relevant details.
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Submit digitally — send the finished claim through the Mein Justizpostfach citizen mailbox to the competent participating local court. No paper, no post.
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4
The court decides — the Amtsgericht handles your case. If you win, the airline pays the compensation and usually the court fees too.
No lawyer — what does it cost?
- → The online procedure is explicitly available without a lawyer
- → At the Amtsgericht there is no mandatory representation for claims up to 5,000 euros anyway
- → The portal walks you through every step
- → Court fees apply, based on the amount in dispute — modest for an EU261 claim
- → If you win, the losing airline generally bears these fees
- → No lawyer's fees, since no lawyer is required
How Claimy fits into this
Most claims are paid after the demand letter alone — with no court at all. Claimy is your step 1: a legally solid letter that makes the airline pay in most cases. If the airline still refuses, the online claim is your step 2 — and your Claimy letter is the ideal basis for it.
Unlike claim agencies such as AirHelp or Flightright, which charge 25 to 35% commission, Claimy creates your letter for a fixed price from 9.90 €. You keep 100% of your compensation.
Check my eligibility →FAQ — Filing an EU261 claim online in Germany
Can I file an EU261 claim online in Germany?
Yes. Since 2026, the civil online procedure (OVErpG) lets you create an EU261 claim digitally at service.justiz.de and submit it via the Mein Justizpostfach to a participating local court. The procedure is in a testing phase.
Do I need a lawyer for the online claim?
No. The procedure is explicitly available without a lawyer. At the Amtsgericht there is no mandatory representation for claims up to 5,000 euros anyway.
What is the OVErpG?
Germany's law for the development and testing of an online procedure in civil courts. It entered into force at the end of 2025; testing started in 2026 with payment claims up to 10,000 euros and air passenger rights.
Which courts take part?
A pilot at selected local courts — including Bremen, Erding, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Nuremberg and Nürtingen, many near major airports. More join during 2026. The portal checks competence for your case.
What does the online claim cost?
Court fees apply, based on the amount in dispute — modest for an EU261 claim. If you win, the losing airline generally reimburses them. No lawyer's fees arise.
More information
Start with the letter — in 30 seconds
Most airlines pay after the demand letter alone. Fixed price. You keep 100% of your compensation.
Start with Claimy →