What is "schutzbereich"

A Schutzbereich (literally protection area) in German legal terminology refers to the extent or scope of protection afforded to people under one or more of the Grundrechte (Fundamental rights in the German Constitution). The question as to whether the Schutzbereich has been 'invaded', i.e. whether the Grundrecht has genuinely been violated in the concrete circumstances of the case, is the first of three requirements in determining whether a complaint of violation of the right is admissible before the Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional Court). A Grundrecht is breached where the Schutzbereich of the Grundrecht is invaded, and this invasion is not justified by constitutional limitations to the protection.