German order of precedence


The German order of precedence is a symbolic hierarchy of the five highest federal offices in Germany used to direct protocol. It has no official status, but has been established in practical use.
  1. The President of Germany, the head of state of Germany.
  2. The President of the Bundestag, the speaker of the German parliament, the Bundestag.
  3. The Chancellor of Germany, the head of the government of Germany.
  4. The President of the Bundesrat, the speaker of the Bundesrat, a federal legislative chamber, in which the governments of the sixteen German states are represented. He or she is ex officio also deputy to the President of Germany. Thus, he or she becomes first in the order, while acting on behalf of the President or while acting as head of state during a vacancy of the presidency.
  5. The President of the Federal Constitutional Court, the supreme court of Germany.

    Current office-holders

Living former office-holders

The order of precedence is also observed with respect to former office-holders in some cases, for example if they participate in official ceremonies as honoured guests.
As of July 2020, 105 persons have held at least one of the five highest German federal offices. Six of them were female:
The following persons have held two different of these offices:
The following persons have held one of these offices two times :