Community of accrued gains (Zugewinngemeinschaft)

Spouses, that are married under German law  (see Council Regulation 2016/1103), live under the German (default) matrimonial property regime of community of accrued gains (Zugewinngemeinschaft) unless they agree otherwise by notarized marriage contract. Despite its name, the property of the spouses before marriage does not become the common property or community property as a result of the marriage. The same applies to property that one spouse acquires after marriage. However, when the community of accrued gains ends (e.g. by death or by divorce judgment), a spouse may be entitled to equalization of accrued gains (Zugewinnausgleich).