ABSTRACT
The civil service in Germany is characterised by the special status of the persons working in public administration, called Beamte. These are persons who have a special service and loyalty relationship with the State. This relationship is governed by public law and characterised by the fact that civil servants are under a special obligation to maintain neutrality in the performance of their duties and to observe the constitution and other laws. They are obligated to devote themselves fully to the State, but in return they are employed for life. As a result, they also have comparatively good social security. In principle, they enjoy the same protection of fundamental rights as all other citizens; in particular, they can appeal to the courts in cases of dispute. For less important tasks, people are also employed on the basis of ordinary employment contracts.
