The Caledonian deformation of the Brabant Massif and the Rügen Early Palaeozoic has been compared by structural analysis including strain determinations, X-ray texture analysis, illite crystallinity and vitrinite reflectivity. Both areas have experienced weak internal deformation under anchimetamorphic to very low-grade metamorphic conditions. The deformation of the Brabant Massif is characterized by (a) a pronounced diagenetic foliation which resulted from compaction and weak extensional tectonics; (b) tilting or weak folding of the Cambrian strata around the Cambrian/Ordovician boundary without internal deformation; (c) a main phase of Caledonian deformation in the Lower Devonian which was associated with open folding and an axial-plane pressure solution cleavage; (d) bending of Caledonian structures from northwest–southeast to northeast–southwest. The internal deformation appears homogeneous with decreasing strain values towards upper structural levels. The strain ellipsoid is predominantly prolate with the main axis of extension parallel to the bedding–cleavage intersection lineation. It is interpreted as the result of superposition of compaction, tectonic shortening and volume loss through pressure solution. The Rügen Early Palaeozoic is less deformed and less metamorphosed under anchizonal conditions. While the upper structural level is almost undeformed, towards the deeper structural levels a spaced and then a continuous slaty cleavage is developed which is successively crenulated by a fracture cleavage. The internal deformation appears inhomogeneous due to several thrust zones with somewhat higher strain values. Outside the thrust zones strain values increase towards lower structural levels, but not significantly. The strain ellipsoid is prolate with a strongly varying orientation of the X-axis. The structural inventory of both areas is comparable with other fold-and-thrust belts. While the Rügen Palaeozoic represents an imbricated thrust-fan of an upper structural level with discrete thrusts and inhomogeneous strain, the Brabant Massif represents a deeper structural level dominated by folding and more homogeneous internal deformation.