Glossary

The Federal Compensation Act (Bundesentschädigungsgesetz) of 1953 enables people who were persecuted by the Nazi regime on the grounds of race, religion, political conviction or ideology to apply for and receive compensation in West Germany and later in reunified Germany. The application must be supported by documentary evidence, which many victims do not have. The processing of applications often takes a very long time. Although the scope of the law has been extended several times, not all groups of people persecuted by the Nazis are eligible to apply.