Acts of Parliament and legal provisions
Sex work is permitted in Germany. It is regulated by Acts of Parliament. You can find out what your rights and obligations are on these pages. This means that you will be able to pursue your profession in an independent way and on your own responsibility and protect yourself. It is not only the contact persons, but also the social worker at the Department of Public Health (Gesundheitsamt) or ara (AIDS-Hilfe Trier) who you can talk to.

Prostitutionsgesetz (ProstG) (‘Prostitution Act‘)
The Prostitutionsgesetz (ProstG) (‘Prostitution Act’) governs relationships between sex workers and their clients. You can work on a self-employed basis or in an employed capacity, you can draw social security and you can claim your pay through the courts. Prostitution is not immoral.

No-one may compel you to work, take advantage of a form of personal or economic dependency or exploit you. Custodial sentences or fines can be imposed for this. If you are under 18 years of age, you may not work as a sex worker in Germany.

ProstSchG – The New German Protection of Prostitutes Act
The New German Protection of Prostitutes Act applies since 1 July 2017. It states that you have to register as a sex worker. You now require an identity card, the “Prostitute’s Permit” (“Hurenpass”) with immediate effect. You may not work without registration and an identity card and you may be punished. Learn more here.

Prohibited zones
The Trier Sperrgebietsverordnung (‘Prohibited zones regulations‘) establish where sex work is prohibited on the streets. Anyone who does not abide by these regulations may be fined. If you want to work on the streets in Trier, ask the Ordnungsamt (‘Public Order Office‘) or the social worker at the Gesundheitsamt (‘Department of Public Health) where you are allowed to work.

In Trier, prostitution is allowed on the following streets:

• in the car parks in Bitburgerstraße (without any time limit)
• Gottbillstraße (from 20:00 to 04:00 hours)

These zones only apply to Trier. If you want to work outside the city, you can contact the Kreisverwaltung of Trier-Saarburg (‘District Administration of Trier-Saarburg‘). Sex work is prohibited in the Verbandsgemeinden Saarburg, Schweich and Hermeskeil (‘Association of Municipalities of Saarburg, Schweich und Hermeskeil‘). It is permitted in the Verbandsgemeinden Ruwer, Trier-Land, Konz und Kell (‘Association of Municipalities of Ruwer, Trier-Land, Konz and Kell‘).

Infektionsschutzgesetz (IfSG) (‘Protection against Infection Act’)
Free, voluntary and anonymous gynaecological examination and advice in the Gesundheitsamt (‘Department of Public Health’). You can receive free and anonymous (not giving your name) advice and have yourself tested for sexually transmitted diseases in the Gesundheitsamt (‘Department of Public Health‘). You will also be examined if you are not ill but would like to have a check-up.

Taxes
You must pay Taxes as a self-employed sex worker. Learn more here.

Residency law
As an EU citizen, you can work independently as a sex worker. If you are a third country national (non-German and non-EU citizen), you will need a valid residence permit to live in Germany. You can apply to the Ausländeramt (‘Department of Immigration‘) for one of these. They will decide whether and how you can work in Germany. Foreign tourists may also not work with a visa. This is also the case if you have a residence permit in another member state of the EU (e.g. for family reasons). You may be punished with deportation for a violation.

For operators
If you are a self-employed sex worker you do not have to register a trade. You also do not require any special Permits for work in your own apartment. However, if you want to rent rooms together with others to work, you require a permit from the construction supervision authority. If you are the operator of another prostitution establishment you also have to comply with the other statutory provisions. Learn more here.

Financial aid
In Germany, people who are experiencing financial hardship are entitled to receive help. Learn more here.