Secret and completely free search tools and resources for finding family, friends and past people in Germany and internationally.
Search for People in Germany for Free
Find Germans and fellow citizens across Deutschland's diverse regions, from Bavaria to Brandenburg, completely free by clicking on 'Germany 100% Free People Search' above.
Search through comprehensive directories spanning all 16 federal states.
Perfect for finding former classmates from German universities, reconnecting with friends from your hometown, or discovering people who share your interests in German arts, music, and traditions. No credit card needed - just genuine connections to the German community.
Germany People Search Local
Searching for people in Germany (Deutschland) requires understanding the unique aspects of German privacy culture and data protection laws. While digital resources are growing, German citizens highly value their privacy rights, which can make traditional people searches more nuanced. For the most effective results, we recommend using both Vorname (first name) and Nachname (last name) to narrow your search. This approach is particularly helpful when looking for colleagues, old classmates from Gymnasiums, or friends from your hometown (Heimatstadt). When you enter the names in the fields below and click "Suchen" (Search), a new window will display your results. For extensive results, use the scroll function to view the complete list. If your initial search within Germany doesn't yield results, consider expanding your search to neighboring regions or Bundesländer (federal states).
For a comprehensive search of German citizens and those of German descent, consider extending your search to the United States, where many Germans have established new homes, particularly during significant migration periods like the post-war era. Many German-Americans maintain strong connections with their relatives in Germany, making this a valuable search avenue. Additionally, consider searching in neighboring European countries like Austria, Switzerland, and other EU nations, as Germans often relocate within the European Union for work or personal reasons. However, Germany itself remains the primary location for finding German citizens. A notable historical consideration is the significant internal migration following German reunification, with many former East Germans (Ostdeutsche) relocating to West Germany (Westdeutschland) since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, creating new community patterns across the country.
Find People in Official German Records
Knowledge of current or previous Bundesländer (federal states) - whether Bavaria (Bayern), Bremen, Hamburg, or others - can significantly aid your search. Official government institutions like Deutsche Post and the Grundbuchamt (land registry) maintain valuable records about German residents and property owners.
The Grundbuch (land register) offers both manual and digital search options. This comprehensive database contains detailed civil-law information about real estate ownership and property rights (dingliche Rechte). Searches can be conducted using various parameters: Adresse (address), Katastereinheit (cadastral unit), Grundbuchblatt (folio), or Eigentümername (owner's name). Official copies cost zehn Euro, while beglaubigte Kopien (certified copies) are zwanzig Euro.
In smaller German communities, local Deutsche Post employees, particularly those with long service records, often have extensive knowledge of their communities through their daily interactions and mail delivery routes. Similarly, other community pillars like Ärzte (doctors), Zahnärzte (dentists), Rechtsanwälte (lawyers), Pfarrer (clergy), local business owners, and Polizei may be valuable resources for finding people who are or were part of the community. Utility companies like Deutsche Telekom and local energy providers might also maintain helpful historical records. Note that many archives may not be digitized and might require in-person visits for manual research.
The mobility of modern Europeans means many Germans have established homes in neighboring EU countries like the Netherlands. Consider expanding your search to regional databases in these areas to locate German citizens who have moved within the EU.
Find People in German State & Local Records
To locate people across Germany's 16 Bundesländer (federal states) like Bavaria (Bayern), Bremen, Hamburg, or Berlin, several official channels provide valuable resources. Key government institutions such as Deutsche Post (postal service) and the Grundbuchamt (land registry office) maintain detailed records about German residents and property owners.
The Grundbuch (land register) offers two search methods: manual research is kostenfrei (free), while digital access requires a fee. This comprehensive database documents property ownership and dingliche Rechte (rights in rem). Search parameters include Adresse (address), Katastereinheit (cadastral unit), Grundbuchblatt (folio), and Eigentümername (owner's name). Standard copies cost 10 Euro, while beglaubigte Kopien (certified copies) are 20 Euro.
In smaller German communities, particularly in historic towns and villages, Deutsche Post employees with long service records often possess invaluable local knowledge through their daily interactions and mail delivery routes. Similarly, community professionals like Ärzte (doctors), Zahnärzte (dentists), Rechtsanwälte (lawyers), Pfarrer (clergy), local Geschäftsinhaber (business owners), and the Polizei often maintain deep connections within their communities. Regional utility providers such as Deutsche Telekom and local Energieversorgungsunternehmen (energy companies) may also maintain historical resident records. Be aware that many older archives (Archive) may require personal visits for manual research as they aren't yet digitized.
Given increased European mobility, many Germans have established residences in neighboring EU countries like the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland. Consider expanding your search to these regional databases to locate German citizens who have moved within the European Union.
Professional Private Investigators in Germany - When to Consider & What to Know
While many prefer kostenlose (free) online searches, a Privatdetektiv (private investigator) in Germany can access resources beyond standard digital channels. Professional investigators complement online searches by accessing information from institutions like Behörden (government agencies), Militär (military), religious organizations, medical facilities, educational institutions, and various levels of government administration that may not be digitally archived.
Licensed German investigators (zugelassene Privatdetektive) offer unique advantages:
- Personal visits to local Nachbarschaften (neighborhoods)
- Access to physical Archiven (archives) and historical documents
- Interviews with former colleagues and community members
- Investigation of local Vereine (clubs) and social organizations
- Research through regional Gemeinden (communities) and their records
When selecting a German private investigator, consider these important factors:
- Verify their Lizenz (license) and professional credentials
- Request information about their Ermittlungsmethoden (investigation methods)
- Discuss their experience with similar cases
- Review their understanding of German privacy laws (Datenschutzrecht)
- Establish clear communication protocols and reporting procedures
Before engaging professional services, thoroughly explore available public resources:
- Militärarchive (military archives)
- Gefängnisakten (prison records)
- Standesamt (civil registry office)
- Local Kirchenbücher (church records)
- Historical Einwohnermelderegister (resident registration records)
Note: All investigations must comply with German privacy laws and DSGVO (GDPR) regulations. Professional investigators are bound by strict confidentiality requirements and legal limitations on information gathering methods.
Several thousand Englanders have migrated to Germany and Canada so it may be worth the effort to search major databases for people from England.
