Umgangesrecht

Umgangesrecht, also spelled Umgangsrecht, is the legal right of a child to maintain contact with both parents and, in some contexts, with other important persons after the parents’ separation or dissolution of a partnership. In practice, the term describes the arrangement and enforcement of visitation and ongoing personal contact between a child and noncustodial or formerly involved caregivers. The concept is closely linked to custody (Sorgerecht) and child support, but it targets the child’s right to meaningful relationships.

In Germany, the legal framework centers on the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) and family court procedures. The child has a right to regular contact with the parent with whom they do not primarily live, and the court can regulate or order visiting schedules if parents cannot agree. The guiding principle is the child’s welfare; contact arrangements are adjusted to serve the child’s best interests. The Family Court Procedure Act (FamFG) provides mechanisms to enforce or modify contact orders, including mediation and, if necessary, supervised or restricted access.

Typical arrangements cover physical visits, phone or video calls, holidays, and other communication, often set by agreement between the parents or by a court decision. Contact can be limited or supervised if there are safety concerns, such as risk of harm or ongoing domestic violence. Obstruction of rightful contact can be challenged through the courts, which may impose remedies or modify custody and contact due to changes in circumstances.

In some cases, the concept also extends to other significant persons, such as grandparents, when the child’s welfare warrants continued contact.