Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the detection of bacteria of the genus Legionella using a sandwich hybridization procedure at temperatures between 50 and 55° C. According to the invention new oligonucleotide probes are utilized as capture and detection probes enabling a genus or species specific detection of different Legionella bacteria. Advantageous is the exchangeability of capture and detection probes against each other for genus or species specific detections of Legionella bacteria. Furthermore the detection procedure can be performed with combinations of oligonucleotide probes for a genus and species specific detection.