Handball-Bundesliga is the second tier of professional handball in Germany.

[1][2] It is directly linked to the Handball-Bundesliga, the country's highest tier, by a promotion and relegation system.

Before the 2011–12 season, the league played in two regional groups (north and south), since then it has been playing in a nationwide single division format.

[3] The top two placed teams are promoted to the Handball-Bundesliga for the next season.

The five last placed teams are relegated to the 3.