Liability limit for minors (§ 1629a BGB)

In short: Someone who runs up debts as a minor is liable after their 18th birthday only up to the value of the assets they have at that time. This protects against starting adult life in debt.

In more detail: § 1629a BGB limits liability for obligations that the parents entered into in the child’s name or that the child created with authorisation under § 112 BGB to the assets present at the age of majority. Anyone who relies on it has to disclose their assets. The right does not cover everything, for example debts from transactions you would be fully liable for anyway.

In detail

• Point in time: the day of reaching majority is decisive. From that moment the limit applies.
• You must invoke it: you have to assert the limit against creditors, otherwise it does not apply automatically.
• Protected: assets you acquire only after majority are not affected.
• No free pass: new debts created after the 18th birthday do not count. Contracts you continue after turning 18 should be reviewed again.
• Tip: keep business debts small early on and keep all receipts.

See also: Authorisation under § 112 BGB, Reaching majority and what changes