On 1 January 2009 the Hague Convention on the International Protection of Adults from 13 January 2000 came into force in Germany. So far, it has been signed by eight states. It internationally recognizes decisions on the protection of handicapped adults who are in need of a legal guardian. If a German citizen lives or spends her vacation in one the contracting member states the convention assures the application of German law concerning the validity and extent of health care proxies and documents of power of attorney. In the power of attorney the choice of law must be expressed explicitly and in written form. Article no. 15 of the convention concerns the possibility of choosing another state’s law for the power of attorney.