German insolvency: grounds, proceedings, debt discharge
Illiquidity, impending illiquidity and over-indebtedness are three different grounds for opening, and only two of them apply to a sole trader. The first module covers the application, interim measures, opening and the insolvency estate, including the release of a self-employed activity. The second separates standard from consumer insolvency and covers the settlement attempt, the three-year assignment period, the debtor's obligations and the claims that survive discharge. Two modules with case studies worked on the statute itself.
Intermediate2 modules45 minModule 1 free to read
2026 rules — verified on September 23, 2026
Figures are tied to dated, sourced tax constants. A module whose rules have changed is flagged for review, and is unpublished automatically beyond 90 days.
This content is part of the path: When the employer becomes insolvent· Step 1 of 8· Next step: German unemployment, short-time work and insolvency pay
By the end of this course, you can…
These outcomes are the modules' own: the promise cannot say anything the course does not teach.
- distinguish the three grounds for opening in ss. 17 to 19 InsO and match them to your own legal form
- apply the correct forecast horizons for impending illiquidity and for over-indebtedness
- identify who may apply for opening and what a debtor's application must contain
- describe the path from the application through interim measures to the opening order
- judge what belongs to the insolvency estate and how a self-employed activity is released
- check whether a former self-employed person belongs in consumer insolvency proceedings
- prepare the documents and the out-of-court settlement attempt before a consumer application
- determine the application, the assignment period and the blocking periods for discharge
- meet the obligations during the assignment period, including as a self-employed person
- recognise grounds for refusal and claims excluded from discharge
The programme, module by module
Each module has its own page. Durations are derived from the actual text, never announced by hand.
- Module 122 minFree — no accountGrounds for opening, the application and the course of German insolvency proceedingsWhat you will be able to do
- distinguish the three grounds for opening in ss. 17 to 19 InsO and match them to your own legal form
- apply the correct forecast horizons for impending illiquidity and for over-indebtedness
- identify who may apply for opening and what a debtor's application must contain
- describe the path from the application through interim measures to the opening order
- judge what belongs to the insolvency estate and how a self-employed activity is released
- Module 223 minIncluded in the full courseConsumer or standard insolvency, and the road to discharge of residual debtWhat you will be able to do
- check whether a former self-employed person belongs in consumer insolvency proceedings
- prepare the documents and the out-of-court settlement attempt before a consumer application
- determine the application, the assignment period and the blocking periods for discharge
- meet the obligations during the assignment period, including as a self-employed person
- recognise grounds for refusal and claims excluded from discharge
What you take away
A handout you keep, not just a page you read. The sections are derived from the course itself: what is announced here is exactly what gets generated.
Participant handout (PDF)
PDF
- Learning objectives (2)
- Key figures (3)
- Mistakes to avoid (2)
- Official sources (2)
Exercise workbook (Word)
Word
- Learning objectives (2)
- Key figures (3)
- Mistakes to avoid (2)
- Official sources (2)
Answers live in a separate appendix: the participant handout and the workbook stay distributable before the exercise.
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Educational content, current with the sources cited. It does not replace advice tailored to your situation. These courses are neither certifying nor CPF-eligible: they prepare for no certification registered with the French RNCP or specific register.