Opfer von Gewalttaten, Entschädigung beantragen

• §§ 13 f. Sozialgesetzbuch Vierzehntes Buch – Soziale Entschädigung (SGB XIV) – Opfer von Gewalttaten
• §§ 78 bis 86b Sozialgerichtsgesetz (SGG)

Application for a benefit under the Act on Compensation for Victims of Violent Crimes (Victims Compensation Act - OEG)

If you have been the victim of a violent crime, you can receive compensation from the state under certain circumstances. The conditions are regulated by the Victims Compensation Act (Gesetz über die Entschädigung der Opfer von Gewalttaten / OEG).

The benefits for acts of violence in the Federal Republic of Germany are based on the benefits provided for in the Federal Victims of War Act (BVG) and can consist of the assumption of medical costs, for example, but also of pension benefits for victims or their survivors. The amount of compensation varies depending on the individual case. In the case of injured persons, the degree of the consequences of the injury is decisive.

Victims of violence abroad can (under certain circumstances) receive medical treatment and one-off payments in the amount of the degree of the consequences of the injury.

In addition to victims of violent offences, SGB XIV also includes victims of the effects of both world wars, victims of events in connection with civilian service and victims of vaccinations or other specific prophylactic measures. The compensation regulations are the same for all affected groups.

• Application form for the corresponding benefit
• Proofs and documents on request

You have a claim to care according to the Victims' Compensation Act if

• You have been the victim of an intentional, unlawful assault (e.g. robbery, rape or terrorist attack) in the Federal Republic of Germany or - under certain conditions - abroad, and
• have suffered damage to your health as a result.

The following are equivalent to an act of violence

1. the intentional use of poison,
2. the misdirection of the act of violence so that it affects a person other than the person against whom it was directed,
3. an attack in the mistaken assumption of the existence of a justification,
4. the at least negligent causing of a danger to the life and limb of another person by means of a crime committed by dangerous means,
5. the significant neglect of children and
6. the production, distribution and making available to the public of child pornography pursuant to Section 184b (1) sentence 1 numbers 1, 3 and 4 of the German Criminal Code.

Persons who have suffered damage to their health as a result of witnessing the offence or finding the victim are treated in the same way as victims of violent offences. Persons who have suffered damage to their health as a result of receiving the news of the death or serious injury of the victim are also deemed to be victims of violent offences if there is a close emotional relationship between these persons and the victim.

You may also be entitled to claim if you lawfully defended yourself against such an attack and were injured as a result.

Eligible applicants

• german and non-German nationals

You are not entitled to make a claim if

• You caused the injury yourself or provoked it through your behaviour
• You, as the injured party, do not contribute to the clarification of the incident within the scope of what is possible for you (this is, for example, and usually the case if you do not file a criminal complaint)

Note: If claims under the Victims' Compensation Act coincide with other claims for compensation under social law, the claim under the Victims' Compensation Act may be waived or reduced. This is also the case if the injury is also an occupational accident within the meaning of the statutory accident insurance or an occupational accident according to the principles of civil service law.

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You can apply for compensation online with the help of an application wizard, or alternatively use the electronic forms provided to apply in writing.

Online application

Have electronic copies of your identity card (or passport) and any documents you will be submitting as evidence of your claim ready.

• Follow the link above to the online application and fill in the data fields as instructed. You can save the information at any time and complete it later.
• Once all data fields have been filled in, complete the application and the data will be sent to the competent body.

The competent office will confirm receipt of your application in writing by post and inform you of the next steps.

Written application

• If you are unable to use the online application procedure, you can obtain the necessary forms here via Amt24 or directly from the competent office.
• Fill out the application as completely as possible, following the instructions for completion.
• Submit the application with the required documents and evidence to the competent office.

Examination of the application and notification

The facts of the case will be investigated ex officio. The parties involved are obliged to cooperate. The administrative authority may

• Hear persons providing information and experts,
• Obtain expert opinions and official information, and
• Obtain documents or demand that they be submitted by the parties involved.

With the consent or at the request of the applicants or beneficiaries, the administrative authority may inspect medical papers, records and similar documents from the respective institutions.

You will receive a written decision as to whether and to what extent you will receive victim compensation.

• Application deadline:
  Application for victim compensation within one year of the crime suffered
• Granting of benefits:
  with retroactive effect from the month of the violent act if there is an existing claim

If the one-year application deadline is exceeded after the act suffered, benefits can only be granted from the month of application and for the future.

Objection, details in the decision.