Beamte (German civil servants)

Beamte are German civil servants who hold a special, lifelong public service position with legal status distinct from regular employees. They are appointed based on merit and serve in various government roles, such as teachers, police officers, and administrative officials. Beamte have specific rights and obligations, including a high level of job security, a pension system, and a public service obligation to act in the public interest. Their employment is governed by special laws known as Beamtenrecht, which emphasize loyalty, neutrality, and service to the state, reflecting their status as representatives of the state authority.