Freemasonry in Germany
The United Grand Lodges of Germany are the umbrella organisation of German Freemasons. Here you can find out what Freemasonry is, how to become a Freemason and which lodge works near you.
The United Grand Lodges of Germany have existed since 1958 and bring the diversity of German Freemasonry together under one joint representation.
The more than 15,000 German Freemasons are organised as sovereign members of the five Member Grand Lodges, where they lead an active Masonic life, if one wishes to call it that.
What is Freemasonry?
A life as a Freemason
Freemasonry is first and foremost an attitude to life and therefore sees itself as an ethical fraternity. Anyone who decides to become a Freemason should strive not for material goods but for intellectual and moral growth.
Freemasons are not an elite club or a business network, but an ethical and philosophical association open to the present day. Freemasonry places the individual within their environment at its centre. In its present form of organisation, with Grand Lodges and lodges, Freemasonry has existed for more than 300 years.
What are the VGLvD?
The VGLvD has been called the “foreign ministry” or the “voice” of German Freemasonry, because its task is to represent German Freemasonry as a single entity abroad and towards the German press and public.
The umbrella organisation is in turn led by its board, the Grand Master (Mr Michael Volkwein) and the Deputy Grand Master (Mr Frank Mielke).
Questions concerning Freemasonry as a whole are dealt with by the Senate of the VGLvD. This body consists of representatives of the Member Grand Lodges and the board of the VGLvD.
- 14,702
- Freemasons in Germany
- 5
- Grand Lodges
The Member Grand Lodges
All Grand Lodges of German Freemasonry
GL AFuAMvDGROSSLOGE DER ALTEN FREIEN UND ANGENOMMENEN MAURER VON DEUTSCHLANDBerlinRead More
GLL FvDGROSSE LANDESLOGE DER FREIMAURER VON DEUTSCHLAND
FreimaurerordenBerlinRead More
GNML 3WKGROSSE NATIONAL-MUTTERLOGE
„ZU DEN DREI WELTKUGELN“BerlinRead More
ACGLAMERICAN CANADIAN GRAND LODGEWeil der StadtRead More
GL BFGTHE GRANDLODGE OF BRITISH FREEMASONRY IN GERMANYMünchenRead More
How do I become a Freemason?
The so-called “Old Charges” of the Freemasons of 1723 state that only “a free man of good report” may be admitted to a Masonic lodge. What does that mean today?
First of all, being a “free man” means that the candidate is of legal age and in full possession of his civil rights. In addition, he must be able to meet the demands on his time and the financial obligations of lodge membership.
Outward characteristics such as social status, income, profession or level of education play no role in admission to a Masonic lodge. The “seeker” – as Freemasons call a candidate for admission – should be interested in moral and philosophical questions and willing to keep working on his own character.
Friendship, openness to the world, tolerance, brotherhood – if you identify with these timeless values, Freemasonry could be something for you!
If you are interested in membership: almost all of the around 500 lodges in Germany have their own website, where you will also find direct contact details. You are welcome to get in touch with a lodge near you.
To be sure that you are approaching a lodge that is recognised worldwide – a so-called regular lodge – it is best to contact one of the five Grand Lodges that are members of the VGLvD directly. Ask them for contact details of lodges near you; they will be glad to help.
The lodges you contact will then invite you to public events and guest evenings. Once you have got to know the lodge – and the lodge has got to know you – over a period of time, they will talk to you about membership at a suitable moment. They will then also be happy to discuss the further steps towards your initiation.
Lodge finder
National search
Nearest lodges to Berlin
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Contact us
Please note that we cannot process contact requests to join a masonic lodge.
As the umbrella organization of regular German Freemasonry, we accept inquiries from the press, the public and general.
Bruderschaft der Freimaurer e.V.
Peter-Lenné-Str. 1-3
14195 Berlin Germany
E-mail: info@freimaurer.org
