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Money & benefits

Apply for legal aid

Official name: Prepare legal aid for civil proceedings

A court case can cost a lot of money. Legal aid (Verfahrenshilfe) means: the court helps you with the costs. This plan shows you how to prepare for it.

Check what applies to me

No account · Answers stay in your browser

Steps
7 key steps, up to 18 depending on your situation
For you
5 short questions, then you see your steps
Main office
Gericht / Legal advice
Costs
none named in the sources
Online
possible for 7 of 18 steps
What applies to you?How it worksFrequently asked questionsSourcesSimilar plans

How it works

These are the key steps, in the right order. Answer the short questions; then you see exactly what applies to you and what is added.

  1. 1Learn what Verfahrenshilfe coversLegal aid is help from the court with the costs of proceedings. Proceedings are how a case runs at court.Key step
    Why?
    This way you know what the court checks. And that the help can be different for each person.
    What you do
    The court checks: do you need your money to live on? Is your case not frivolous or hopeless? Hopeless means: without any chance. The app calculates nothing.
    Where?
    Zuständiges GerichtDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Distinguish court legal aid and actual scope

    The court assesses necessary maintenance and whether proceedings appear frivolous or hopeless. Scope is granted individually; this app calculates no income threshold or success chance.

    SourceZivilverfahren: Kosten und individuell bewilligte Verfahrenshilfe
    Zivilverfahren: Kosten und individuell bewilligte Verfahrenshilfe

    Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  2. 2Check if legal aid fits your caseHere you find out if legal aid fits your case. And how much help is possible.Key step
    Why?
    Having little money alone does not automatically mean you get the help. The court checks each case on its own.
    What you do
    Ask the court or a legal adviser. Explain your case there.
    Where?
    Gericht / Legal adviceDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Have legal aid for this matter confirmed

    Ask the court or legal adviser whether and to what extent the specific application fits. Financial need alone does not automatically establish approval.

    SourceZivilverfahren: Kosten und individuell bewilligte Verfahrenshilfe
    Zivilverfahren: Kosten und individuell bewilligte Verfahrenshilfe

    Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  3. 3Check your court deadlines right awayA deadline is the last day by which you must do something. Deadlines are very important at court.Key step
    Why?
    Filling things in this app does not meet any deadline. Whether your application affects the deadline must be clarified.
    What you do
    Check right away: when did you receive the letter? Which deadline applies? What must you do? Clarify this with the court or a legal adviser.
    Where?
    Gericht / Legal adviceDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Promptly clarify procedural deadlines independently of preparation

    Verify actual service, deadline and required action with the court or legal adviser. Clarify individually whether a specific timely application affects a deadline; merely preparing in this navigator preserves no deadline.

    SourceVerfahrenshilfe: Antrag, Vermögensbekenntnis und Nachzahlung
    Verfahrenshilfe: Antrag, Vermögensbekenntnis und Nachzahlung

    Bundesministerium für Justiz · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  4. 4Find the right courtThe first-instance court is the first court that handles your case. A Bezirksgericht is a court for a certain area.Key step
    Why?
    Your application must reach the right court.
    What you do
    Usually you apply at the first-instance court. Is it outside your area? Then federal guidance also names the district court where you live. Have the route confirmed first.
    Where?
    Zuständiges Erstgericht / Aufenthalts-BezirksgerichtDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Clarify the first-instance court and possible residence-court route

    Generally apply at the first-instance court for the specific proceedings. If it lies outside the residence district-court area, federal guidance also identifies the residence district court. Confirm the actual route beforehand.

    SourceZivilverfahren: Kosten und individuell bewilligte Verfahrenshilfe
    Zivilverfahren: Kosten und individuell bewilligte Verfahrenshilfe

    Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  5. 5Fill in the financial declarationThe financial declaration (Vermögensbekenntnis) is a form. In it you describe your money situation exactly.Key step
    Why?
    It shows the court whether you need help. Evidence means papers that prove what you say.
    What you do
    Use the current official form. Fill it in completely, but not in this app. The form or the court tells you which evidence is needed. Do not store files here.
    Where?
    Zuständiges GerichtDirectly with the named service

    What you need

    • Current application with financial declaration
      Document explained

      Use the current official form rather than an outdated copy.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      Submission format
      Clarify format with the service
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourceVerfahrenshilfe: amtliches Formular und Einreichwege
      Verfahrenshilfe: amtliches Formular und Einreichwege

      oesterreich.gv.at · Formularservice · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    • Financial evidence agreed with the form and court
      Document explained

      Confirm the required scope individually; provide records directly to the responsible service.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      Submission format
      Clarify format with the service
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourceVerfahrenshilfe: Antrag, Vermögensbekenntnis und Nachzahlung
      Verfahrenshilfe: Antrag, Vermögensbekenntnis und Nachzahlung

      Bundesministerium für Justiz · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    • Records for the specific matter or existing proceedings
      Document explained

      Agree application context and existing matter with the court.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      Submission format
      Clarify format with the service
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourceZivilverfahren: Kosten und individuell bewilligte Verfahrenshilfe
      Zivilverfahren: Kosten und individuell bewilligte Verfahrenshilfe

      Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Prepare the current financial declaration and confirmed evidence

    Use the current official form and declare financial circumstances fully outside this app. Agree evidence using the current form and court requirements; store no financial values or files here.

    SourceVerfahrenshilfe: Antrag, Vermögensbekenntnis und Nachzahlung
    Verfahrenshilfe: Antrag, Vermögensbekenntnis und Nachzahlung

    Bundesministerium für Justiz · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  6. 6Prepare your paper applicationYou hand in the application on paper. There is a current form for this.Key step
    Why?
    This is a way without a digital signature.
    What you do
    Fill in the form completely, following the instructions. Hand it in the way agreed with the court. The form exists in several languages. Still, the court may require a certain language.
    Where?
    Zuständiges GerichtDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Prepare the confirmed written application

    Prepare the current form fully according to instructions and use the court-agreed route. Multilingual PDFs do not automatically replace every court language requirement.

    SourceVerfahrenshilfe: amtliches Formular und Einreichwege
    Verfahrenshilfe: amtliches Formular und Einreichwege

    oesterreich.gv.at · Formularservice · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  7. 7Follow your applicationYour application is already at court. Here you follow what happens next.Key step
    Why?
    This way you know what comes next. A second application for the same help is not needed.
    What you do
    Check your letters from the court. Service means: you officially receive a letter. Ask the court about the next step.
    Where?
    Bereits zuständiges GerichtDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Follow the existing legal-aid application

    Review the existing matter, service and next step with the court; no parallel applications for the same aid.

    SourceVerfahrenshilfe: Antrag, Vermögensbekenntnis und Nachzahlung
    Verfahrenshilfe: Antrag, Vermögensbekenntnis und Nachzahlung

    Bundesministerium für Justiz · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source

Depending on your situation, this is added

  • Check if you already applied
  • Find the route for other proceedings
  • Find out how to sign online
  • Prepare your online application
  • Book a time to apply in person at court
  • Check which costs may remain for you
  • Send the court the missing papers
  • Read what the decision covers
  • Contact your appointed representative
  • Check the deadline to appeal the decision
  • Ask the court about repayment
Use the questions to find out which of these apply to you
Tailored to you

What applies to you?

Answer a few short questions. The steps change right away: what does not apply to you drops out.

Question 1 of at most 5

How far along are you with Verfahrenshilfe?

What is meant? This is about how far your legal-aid application has got. Approved means: the court said yes.

What is the stage of this legal-aid matter?
  • No sign-up needed
  • Nothing is sent to authorities
  • You submit applications yourself

Frequently asked questions

Can I do this online?

7 of 18 possible steps mention an online channel in their text. Requirements are in the official source.

What does it cost?

No costs are recorded for these steps in the linked sources. Fees may still apply.

Do I need an einfach.wien account?

No. The plan works without registration; answers stay in your browser.

Does einfach.wien submit my application?

No. einfach.wien helps you prepare and links official channels. You submit applications yourself to the responsible service.

What this page is based on

The information is based on official sources. einfach.wien is a private project; the content has not been professionally reviewed. All information without guarantee, no legal advice. The responsible office is always authoritative.

SourceZivilverfahren: Kosten und individuell bewilligte Verfahrenshilfe
Zivilverfahren: Kosten und individuell bewilligte Verfahrenshilfe

Bundesministerium für Justiz · oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceVerfahrenshilfe: Antrag, Vermögensbekenntnis und Nachzahlung
Verfahrenshilfe: Antrag, Vermögensbekenntnis und Nachzahlung

Bundesministerium für Justiz · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceVerfahrenshilfe: amtliches Formular und Einreichwege
Verfahrenshilfe: amtliches Formular und Einreichwege

oesterreich.gv.at · Formularservice · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source

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