diff --git a/internal/actions/object/metadata.go b/internal/actions/object/metadata.go
index a2d1f66a9..2a80d19f8 100644
--- a/internal/actions/object/metadata.go
+++ b/internal/actions/object/metadata.go
@@ -204,7 +204,12 @@ func MetadataListToDomain(metadataList *MetadataList) []*domain.Metadata {
 	for i, metadata := range metadataList.metadata {
 		value := metadata.value
 		if len(value) == 0 {
-			value = mapBytesToByteArray(metadata.Value.Export())
+			var err error
+			value, err = json.Marshal(metadata.Value.Export())
+			if err != nil {
+				logging.WithError(err).Debug("unable to marshal")
+				panic(err)
+			}
 		}
 		list[i] = &domain.Metadata{
 			Key:   metadata.Key,
@@ -214,21 +219,3 @@ func MetadataListToDomain(metadataList *MetadataList) []*domain.Metadata {
 
 	return list
 }
-
-// mapBytesToByteArray is used for backwards compatibility of old metadata.push method
-// converts the Javascript uint8 array which is exported as []interface{} to a []byte
-func mapBytesToByteArray(i interface{}) []byte {
-	bytes, ok := i.([]interface{})
-	if !ok {
-		return nil
-	}
-	value := make([]byte, len(bytes))
-	for i, val := range bytes {
-		b, ok := val.(int64)
-		if !ok {
-			return nil
-		}
-		value[i] = byte(b)
-	}
-	return value
-}
diff --git a/internal/actions/object/metadata_test.go b/internal/actions/object/metadata_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..80dccfe46
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/actions/object/metadata_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+package object
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/dop251/goja"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+
+	"github.com/zitadel/zitadel/internal/domain"
+)
+
+func TestMetadataListToDomain(t *testing.T) {
+	type args struct {
+		metadataList *MetadataList
+	}
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		args args
+		want []*domain.Metadata
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "nil",
+			args: args{metadataList: nil},
+			want: nil,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty",
+			args: args{metadataList: &MetadataList{}},
+			want: []*domain.Metadata{},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "from mapped value",
+			args: args{metadataList: &MetadataList{
+				metadata: []*Metadata{
+					{
+						Key:   "key1",
+						value: []byte("value1"),
+					},
+				},
+			}},
+			want: []*domain.Metadata{
+				{
+					Key:   "key1",
+					Value: []byte("value1"),
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "from goja value string",
+			args: args{metadataList: &MetadataList{
+				metadata: []*Metadata{
+					{
+						Key:   "key1",
+						Value: (&goja.Runtime{}).ToValue("value1"),
+					},
+				},
+			}},
+			want: []*domain.Metadata{
+				{
+					Key:   "key1",
+					Value: []byte(`"value1"`),
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "from goja value int",
+			args: args{metadataList: &MetadataList{
+				metadata: []*Metadata{
+					{
+						Key:   "key1",
+						Value: (&goja.Runtime{}).ToValue(1),
+					},
+				},
+			}},
+			want: []*domain.Metadata{
+				{
+					Key:   "key1",
+					Value: []byte("1"),
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "from goja value float",
+			args: args{metadataList: &MetadataList{
+				metadata: []*Metadata{
+					{
+						Key:   "key1",
+						Value: (&goja.Runtime{}).ToValue(1.2),
+					},
+				},
+			}},
+			want: []*domain.Metadata{
+				{
+					Key:   "key1",
+					Value: []byte("1.2"),
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "from goja value bool",
+			args: args{metadataList: &MetadataList{
+				metadata: []*Metadata{
+					{
+						Key:   "key1",
+						Value: (&goja.Runtime{}).ToValue(true),
+					},
+				},
+			}},
+			want: []*domain.Metadata{
+				{
+					Key:   "key1",
+					Value: []byte("true"),
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.want, MetadataListToDomain(tt.args.metadataList))
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/api/grpc/admin/import.go b/internal/api/grpc/admin/import.go
index c2c8c748d..67802777e 100644
--- a/internal/api/grpc/admin/import.go
+++ b/internal/api/grpc/admin/import.go
@@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ func importUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, s *Server, errors *[]*admin_pb.Impo
 	}
 	for _, userMetadata := range org.GetUserMetadata() {
 		logging.Debugf("import usermetadata: %s", userMetadata.GetId()+"_"+userMetadata.GetKey())
-		_, err := s.command.SetUserMetadata(ctx, &domain.Metadata{Key: userMetadata.GetKey(), Value: userMetadata.GetValue()}, userMetadata.GetId(), org.GetOrgId())
+		_, err := s.command.SetUserMetadata(ctx, &domain.Metadata{Key: userMetadata.GetKey(), Value: userMetadata.GetValue()}, userMetadata.GetId(), org.GetOrgId(), nil)
 		if err != nil {
 			*errors = append(*errors, &admin_pb.ImportDataError{Type: "user_metadata", Id: userMetadata.GetId() + "_" + userMetadata.GetKey(), Message: errorToImportError(err)})
 			if isCtxTimeout(ctx) {
diff --git a/internal/api/grpc/management/user.go b/internal/api/grpc/management/user.go
index f40a29868..440213ae4 100644
--- a/internal/api/grpc/management/user.go
+++ b/internal/api/grpc/management/user.go
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ func (s *Server) GetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, req *mgmt_pb.GetUserMetada
 
 func (s *Server) SetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, req *mgmt_pb.SetUserMetadataRequest) (*mgmt_pb.SetUserMetadataResponse, error) {
 	ctxData := authz.GetCtxData(ctx)
-	result, err := s.command.SetUserMetadata(ctx, &domain.Metadata{Key: req.Key, Value: req.Value}, req.Id, ctxData.OrgID)
+	result, err := s.command.SetUserMetadata(ctx, &domain.Metadata{Key: req.Key, Value: req.Value}, req.Id, ctxData.OrgID, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ func (s *Server) SetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, req *mgmt_pb.SetUserMetada
 
 func (s *Server) BulkSetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, req *mgmt_pb.BulkSetUserMetadataRequest) (*mgmt_pb.BulkSetUserMetadataResponse, error) {
 	ctxData := authz.GetCtxData(ctx)
-	result, err := s.command.BulkSetUserMetadata(ctx, req.Id, ctxData.OrgID, BulkSetUserMetadataToDomain(req)...)
+	result, err := s.command.BulkSetUserMetadata(ctx, req.Id, ctxData.OrgID, nil, BulkSetUserMetadataToDomain(req)...) // permission has already been checked
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ func (s *Server) BulkSetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, req *mgmt_pb.BulkSetUs
 
 func (s *Server) RemoveUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, req *mgmt_pb.RemoveUserMetadataRequest) (*mgmt_pb.RemoveUserMetadataResponse, error) {
 	ctxData := authz.GetCtxData(ctx)
-	result, err := s.command.RemoveUserMetadata(ctx, req.Key, req.Id, ctxData.OrgID)
+	result, err := s.command.RemoveUserMetadata(ctx, req.Key, req.Id, ctxData.OrgID, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ func (s *Server) RemoveUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, req *mgmt_pb.RemoveUser
 
 func (s *Server) BulkRemoveUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, req *mgmt_pb.BulkRemoveUserMetadataRequest) (*mgmt_pb.BulkRemoveUserMetadataResponse, error) {
 	ctxData := authz.GetCtxData(ctx)
-	result, err := s.command.BulkRemoveUserMetadata(ctx, req.Id, ctxData.OrgID, req.Keys...)
+	result, err := s.command.BulkRemoveUserMetadata(ctx, req.Id, ctxData.OrgID, nil, req.Keys...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/integration_test/user_test.go b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/integration_test/user_test.go
index 64ab39668..cb7ca8d9b 100644
--- a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/integration_test/user_test.go
+++ b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/integration_test/user_test.go
@@ -1344,6 +1344,17 @@ func TestServer_LockUser(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			wantErr: true,
 		},
+		{
+			name: "no permission, error",
+			args: args{
+				UserCTX,
+				&user.LockUserRequest{
+					UserId: Instance.Users.Get(integration.UserTypeNoPermission).ID,
+				},
+				func(request *user.LockUserRequest) error { return nil },
+			},
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
 		{
 			name: "lock, ok",
 			args: args{
@@ -1452,6 +1463,17 @@ func TestServer_UnLockUser(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			wantErr: true,
 		},
+		{
+			name: "no permission, error",
+			args: args{
+				UserCTX,
+				&user.UnlockUserRequest{
+					UserId: Instance.Users.Get(integration.UserTypeNoPermission).ID,
+				},
+				func(request *user.UnlockUserRequest) error { return nil },
+			},
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
 		{
 			name: "unlock, not locked",
 			args: args{
@@ -1560,6 +1582,17 @@ func TestServer_DeactivateUser(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			wantErr: true,
 		},
+		{
+			name: "no permission, error",
+			args: args{
+				UserCTX,
+				&user.DeactivateUserRequest{
+					UserId: Instance.Users.Get(integration.UserTypeNoPermission).ID,
+				},
+				func(request *user.DeactivateUserRequest) error { return nil },
+			},
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
 		{
 			name: "deactivate, ok",
 			args: args{
@@ -1669,6 +1702,17 @@ func TestServer_ReactivateUser(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			wantErr: true,
 		},
+		{
+			name: "no permission, error",
+			args: args{
+				UserCTX,
+				&user.ReactivateUserRequest{
+					UserId: Instance.Users.Get(integration.UserTypeNoPermission).ID,
+				},
+				func(request *user.ReactivateUserRequest) error { return nil },
+			},
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
 		{
 			name: "reactivate, not deactivated",
 			args: args{
@@ -1852,6 +1896,10 @@ func TestServer_DeleteUser(t *testing.T) {
 						},
 					})
 					require.NoError(t, err)
+
+					// allow self management incl. deletion
+					Instance.CreateOrgMembership(t, CTX, Instance.DefaultOrg.Id, removeUser.Id, "ORG_USER_SELF_MANAGER")
+
 					request.UserId = removeUser.Id
 					Instance.RegisterUserPasskey(CTX, removeUser.Id)
 					token := createVerifiedWebAuthNSession(LoginCTX, t, removeUser.Id)
diff --git a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/key.go b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/key.go
index 021f4be38..243f163ca 100644
--- a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/key.go
+++ b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/key.go
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ func (s *Server) AddKey(ctx context.Context, req *connect.Request[user.AddKeyReq
 		},
 		ExpirationDate:  req.Msg.GetExpirationDate().AsTime(),
 		Type:            domain.AuthNKeyTypeJSON,
-		PermissionCheck: s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx),
+		PermissionCheck: s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx, true),
 	}
 	newMachineKey.PublicKey = req.Msg.GetPublicKey()
 
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func (s *Server) RemoveKey(ctx context.Context, req *connect.Request[user.Remove
 		ObjectRoot: models.ObjectRoot{
 			AggregateID: req.Msg.GetUserId(),
 		},
-		PermissionCheck: s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx),
+		PermissionCheck: s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx, true),
 		KeyID:           req.Msg.GetKeyId(),
 	}
 	objectDetails, err := s.command.RemoveUserMachineKey(ctx, machineKey)
diff --git a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/machine.go b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/machine.go
index e5126b901..7889d2c6d 100644
--- a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/machine.go
+++ b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/machine.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ func (s *Server) createUserTypeMachine(ctx context.Context, machinePb *user.Crea
 		ctx,
 		cmd,
 		nil,
-		s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx),
+		s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx, true),
 		command.AddMachineWithUsernameToIDFallback(),
 	)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/metadata.go b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/metadata.go
index 338ce9fc4..c7ce97e38 100644
--- a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/metadata.go
+++ b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/metadata.go
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func (s *Server) listUserMetadataRequestToModel(req *user.ListUserMetadataReques
 }
 
 func (s *Server) SetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, req *connect.Request[user.SetUserMetadataRequest]) (*connect.Response[user.SetUserMetadataResponse], error) {
-	result, err := s.command.BulkSetUserMetadata(ctx, req.Msg.UserId, "", setUserMetadataToDomain(req.Msg)...)
+	result, err := s.command.BulkSetUserMetadata(ctx, req.Msg.UserId, "", s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx, false), setUserMetadataToDomain(req.Msg)...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func setUserMetadataToDomain(req *user.SetUserMetadataRequest) []*domain.Metadat
 }
 
 func (s *Server) DeleteUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, req *connect.Request[user.DeleteUserMetadataRequest]) (*connect.Response[user.DeleteUserMetadataResponse], error) {
-	result, err := s.command.BulkRemoveUserMetadata(ctx, req.Msg.UserId, "", req.Msg.Keys...)
+	result, err := s.command.BulkRemoveUserMetadata(ctx, req.Msg.UserId, "", s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx, false), req.Msg.Keys...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/pat.go b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/pat.go
index 0c90eeaeb..36e820136 100644
--- a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/pat.go
+++ b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/pat.go
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ func (s *Server) AddPersonalAccessToken(ctx context.Context, req *connect.Reques
 		ObjectRoot: models.ObjectRoot{
 			AggregateID: req.Msg.GetUserId(),
 		},
-		PermissionCheck: s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx),
+		PermissionCheck: s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx, true),
 		ExpirationDate:  req.Msg.GetExpirationDate().AsTime(),
 		Scopes: []string{
 			oidc.ScopeOpenID,
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func (s *Server) RemovePersonalAccessToken(ctx context.Context, req *connect.Req
 		ObjectRoot: models.ObjectRoot{
 			AggregateID: req.Msg.GetUserId(),
 		},
-		PermissionCheck: s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx),
+		PermissionCheck: s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx, true),
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/secret.go b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/secret.go
index acc7aef8c..6ab700893 100644
--- a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/secret.go
+++ b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2/secret.go
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import (
 
 func (s *Server) AddSecret(ctx context.Context, req *connect.Request[user.AddSecretRequest]) (*connect.Response[user.AddSecretResponse], error) {
 	newSecret := &command.GenerateMachineSecret{
-		PermissionCheck: s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx),
+		PermissionCheck: s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx, true),
 	}
 	details, err := s.command.GenerateMachineSecret(ctx, req.Msg.GetUserId(), "", newSecret)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ func (s *Server) RemoveSecret(ctx context.Context, req *connect.Request[user.Rem
 		ctx,
 		req.Msg.GetUserId(),
 		"",
-		s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx),
+		s.command.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx, true),
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2beta/integration_test/user_test.go b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2beta/integration_test/user_test.go
index b655ae791..3b90759e9 100644
--- a/internal/api/grpc/user/v2beta/integration_test/user_test.go
+++ b/internal/api/grpc/user/v2beta/integration_test/user_test.go
@@ -1297,6 +1297,17 @@ func TestServer_LockUser(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			wantErr: true,
 		},
+		{
+			name: "no permission, error",
+			args: args{
+				UserCTX,
+				&user.LockUserRequest{
+					UserId: Instance.Users.Get(integration.UserTypeNoPermission).ID,
+				},
+				func(request *user.LockUserRequest) error { return nil },
+			},
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
 		{
 			name: "lock, ok",
 			args: args{
@@ -1405,6 +1416,17 @@ func TestServer_UnLockUser(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			wantErr: true,
 		},
+		{
+			name: "no permission, error",
+			args: args{
+				UserCTX,
+				&user.UnlockUserRequest{
+					UserId: Instance.Users.Get(integration.UserTypeNoPermission).ID,
+				},
+				func(request *user.UnlockUserRequest) error { return nil },
+			},
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
 		{
 			name: "unlock, not locked",
 			args: args{
@@ -1513,6 +1535,17 @@ func TestServer_DeactivateUser(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			wantErr: true,
 		},
+		{
+			name: "no permission, error",
+			args: args{
+				UserCTX,
+				&user.DeactivateUserRequest{
+					UserId: Instance.Users.Get(integration.UserTypeNoPermission).ID,
+				},
+				func(request *user.DeactivateUserRequest) error { return nil },
+			},
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
 		{
 			name: "deactivate, ok",
 			args: args{
@@ -1621,6 +1654,17 @@ func TestServer_ReactivateUser(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			wantErr: true,
 		},
+		{
+			name: "no permission, error",
+			args: args{
+				UserCTX,
+				&user.ReactivateUserRequest{
+					UserId: Instance.Users.Get(integration.UserTypeNoPermission).ID,
+				},
+				func(request *user.ReactivateUserRequest) error { return nil },
+			},
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
 		{
 			name: "reactivate, not deactivated",
 			args: args{
@@ -1730,6 +1774,17 @@ func TestServer_DeleteUser(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			wantErr: true,
 		},
+		{
+			name: "no permission, error",
+			args: args{
+				UserCTX,
+				&user.DeleteUserRequest{
+					UserId: Instance.Users.Get(integration.UserTypeNoPermission).ID,
+				},
+				func(request *user.DeleteUserRequest) {},
+			},
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
 		{
 			name: "remove human, ok",
 			args: args{
diff --git a/internal/api/oidc/userinfo.go b/internal/api/oidc/userinfo.go
index 08ee4da3e..15ec5b21e 100644
--- a/internal/api/oidc/userinfo.go
+++ b/internal/api/oidc/userinfo.go
@@ -292,8 +292,6 @@ func (s *Server) userinfoFlows(ctx context.Context, qu *query.OIDCUserInfo, user
 	ctx, span := tracing.NewSpan(ctx)
 	defer func() { span.EndWithError(err) }()
 
-	userCtx := authz.SetCtxData(ctx, authz.CtxData{UserID: userInfo.Subject, ResourceOwner: qu.User.ResourceOwner})
-
 	queriedActions, err := s.query.GetActiveActionsByFlowAndTriggerType(ctx, domain.FlowTypeCustomiseToken, triggerType, qu.User.ResourceOwner)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -388,7 +386,7 @@ func (s *Server) userinfoFlows(ctx context.Context, qu *query.OIDCUserInfo, user
 							Key:   key,
 							Value: value,
 						}
-						if _, err = s.command.SetUserMetadata(userCtx, metadata, userInfo.Subject, qu.User.ResourceOwner); err != nil {
+						if _, err = s.command.SetUserMetadata(ctx, metadata, userInfo.Subject, qu.User.ResourceOwner, nil); err != nil {
 							logging.WithError(err).Info("unable to set md in action")
 							panic(err)
 						}
@@ -451,7 +449,7 @@ func (s *Server) userinfoFlows(ctx context.Context, qu *query.OIDCUserInfo, user
 	}
 	claimLogs := make([]string, 0)
 	for _, metadata := range contextInfoResponse.SetUserMetadata {
-		if _, err = s.command.SetUserMetadata(userCtx, metadata, userInfo.Subject, qu.User.ResourceOwner); err != nil {
+		if _, err = s.command.SetUserMetadata(ctx, metadata, userInfo.Subject, qu.User.ResourceOwner, nil); err != nil {
 			claimLogs = append(claimLogs, fmt.Sprintf("failed to set user metadata key %q", metadata.Key))
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/internal/api/saml/storage.go b/internal/api/saml/storage.go
index b89fb69f9..94288142c 100644
--- a/internal/api/saml/storage.go
+++ b/internal/api/saml/storage.go
@@ -285,8 +285,6 @@ func setUserinfo(user *query.User, userinfo models.AttributeSetter, attributes [
 }
 
 func (p *Storage) getCustomAttributes(ctx context.Context, user *query.User, userGrants *query.UserGrants) (map[string]*customAttribute, error) {
-	userCtx := authz.SetCtxData(ctx, authz.CtxData{UserID: user.ID, ResourceOwner: user.ResourceOwner})
-
 	customAttributes := make(map[string]*customAttribute, 0)
 	queriedActions, err := p.query.GetActiveActionsByFlowAndTriggerType(ctx, domain.FlowTypeCustomizeSAMLResponse, domain.TriggerTypePreSAMLResponseCreation, user.ResourceOwner)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -366,7 +364,7 @@ func (p *Storage) getCustomAttributes(ctx context.Context, user *query.User, use
 							Key:   key,
 							Value: value,
 						}
-						if _, err = p.command.SetUserMetadata(userCtx, metadata, user.ID, user.ResourceOwner); err != nil {
+						if _, err = p.command.SetUserMetadata(ctx, metadata, user.ID, user.ResourceOwner, nil); err != nil {
 							logging.WithError(err).Info("unable to set md in action")
 							panic(err)
 						}
@@ -413,7 +411,7 @@ func (p *Storage) getCustomAttributes(ctx context.Context, user *query.User, use
 	}
 	attributeLogs := make([]string, 0)
 	for _, metadata := range contextInfoResponse.SetUserMetadata {
-		if _, err = p.command.SetUserMetadata(userCtx, metadata, user.ID, user.ResourceOwner); err != nil {
+		if _, err = p.command.SetUserMetadata(ctx, metadata, user.ID, user.ResourceOwner, nil); err != nil {
 			attributeLogs = append(attributeLogs, fmt.Sprintf("failed to set user metadata key %q", metadata.Key))
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/internal/api/ui/login/metadata.go b/internal/api/ui/login/metadata.go
index b645c9f4a..ab58390c8 100644
--- a/internal/api/ui/login/metadata.go
+++ b/internal/api/ui/login/metadata.go
@@ -10,6 +10,6 @@ import (
 func (l *Login) bulkSetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, userID, orgID string, metadata []*domain.Metadata) error {
 	// user context necessary due to permission check in command
 	userCtx := authz.SetCtxData(ctx, authz.CtxData{UserID: userID, OrgID: orgID})
-	_, err := l.command.BulkSetUserMetadata(userCtx, userID, orgID, metadata...)
+	_, err := l.command.BulkSetUserMetadata(userCtx, userID, orgID, nil, metadata...)
 	return err
 }
diff --git a/internal/auth/repository/eventsourcing/eventstore/auth_request.go b/internal/auth/repository/eventsourcing/eventstore/auth_request.go
index ea260eeb1..d2e2bc62f 100644
--- a/internal/auth/repository/eventsourcing/eventstore/auth_request.go
+++ b/internal/auth/repository/eventsourcing/eventstore/auth_request.go
@@ -611,9 +611,7 @@ func (repo *AuthRequestRepo) AutoRegisterExternalUser(ctx context.Context, regis
 		return err
 	}
 	if len(metadatas) > 0 {
-		// user context necessary due to permission check in command
-		userCtx := authz.SetCtxData(ctx, authz.CtxData{UserID: request.UserID, OrgID: request.UserOrgID})
-		_, err := repo.Command.BulkSetUserMetadata(userCtx, request.UserID, request.UserOrgID, metadatas...)
+		_, err := repo.Command.BulkSetUserMetadata(ctx, request.UserID, request.UserOrgID, nil, metadatas...)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/internal/command/permission_checks.go b/internal/command/permission_checks.go
index 97bae79ba..021107e6a 100644
--- a/internal/command/permission_checks.go
+++ b/internal/command/permission_checks.go
@@ -39,29 +39,36 @@ func (c *Commands) newPermissionCheck(ctx context.Context, permission string, ag
 	}
 }
 
-func (c *Commands) checkPermissionOnUser(ctx context.Context, permission string) PermissionCheck {
+func (c *Commands) checkPermissionOnUser(ctx context.Context, permission string, allowSelfManagement bool) PermissionCheck {
 	return func(resourceOwner, aggregateID string) error {
-		if aggregateID != "" && aggregateID == authz.GetCtxData(ctx).UserID {
+		if allowSelfManagement && aggregateID != "" && aggregateID == authz.GetCtxData(ctx).UserID {
 			return nil
 		}
 		return c.newPermissionCheck(ctx, permission, user.AggregateType)(resourceOwner, aggregateID)
 	}
 }
 
-func (c *Commands) NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx context.Context) PermissionCheck {
-	return c.checkPermissionOnUser(ctx, domain.PermissionUserWrite)
+func (c *Commands) NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx context.Context, allowSelfManagement bool) PermissionCheck {
+	return c.checkPermissionOnUser(ctx, domain.PermissionUserWrite, allowSelfManagement)
 }
 
 func (c *Commands) checkPermissionDeleteUser(ctx context.Context, resourceOwner, userID string) error {
-	return c.checkPermissionOnUser(ctx, domain.PermissionUserDelete)(resourceOwner, userID)
+	err := c.checkPermissionOnUser(ctx, domain.PermissionUserDelete, false)(resourceOwner, userID)
+	if err == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if userID != authz.GetCtxData(ctx).UserID {
+		return err
+	}
+	return c.checkPermissionOnUser(ctx, domain.PermissionUserDeleteSelf, false)(resourceOwner, userID)
 }
 
-func (c *Commands) checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx context.Context, resourceOwner, userID string) error {
-	return c.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx)(resourceOwner, userID)
+func (c *Commands) checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx context.Context, resourceOwner, userID string, allowSelfManagement bool) error {
+	return c.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(ctx, allowSelfManagement)(resourceOwner, userID)
 }
 
 func (c *Commands) checkPermissionUpdateUserCredentials(ctx context.Context, resourceOwner, userID string) error {
-	return c.checkPermissionOnUser(ctx, domain.PermissionUserCredentialWrite)(resourceOwner, userID)
+	return c.checkPermissionOnUser(ctx, domain.PermissionUserCredentialWrite, true)(resourceOwner, userID)
 }
 
 func (c *Commands) checkPermissionCreateProject(ctx context.Context, resourceOwner, projectID string) error {
diff --git a/internal/command/permission_checks_test.go b/internal/command/permission_checks_test.go
index 5c36dc14f..5afec753a 100644
--- a/internal/command/permission_checks_test.go
+++ b/internal/command/permission_checks_test.go
@@ -147,6 +147,7 @@ func TestCommands_CheckPermissionUserWrite(t *testing.T) {
 	type args struct {
 		ctx                        context.Context
 		resourceOwner, aggregateID string
+		allowSelfManagement        bool
 	}
 	type want struct {
 		err func(error) bool
@@ -163,8 +164,29 @@ func TestCommands_CheckPermissionUserWrite(t *testing.T) {
 				ctx: authz.SetCtxData(context.Background(), authz.CtxData{
 					UserID: "aggregateID",
 				}),
-				resourceOwner: "resourceOwner",
-				aggregateID:   "aggregateID",
+				resourceOwner:       "resourceOwner",
+				aggregateID:         "aggregateID",
+				allowSelfManagement: true,
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "self, no selfManagementAllowed, permission check",
+			fields: fields{
+				domainPermissionCheck: mockDomainPermissionCheck(
+					authz.SetCtxData(context.Background(), authz.CtxData{
+						UserID: "aggregateID",
+					}),
+					"user.write",
+					"resourceOwner",
+					"aggregateID"),
+			},
+			args: args{
+				ctx: authz.SetCtxData(context.Background(), authz.CtxData{
+					UserID: "aggregateID",
+				}),
+				resourceOwner:       "resourceOwner",
+				aggregateID:         "aggregateID",
+				allowSelfManagement: false,
 			},
 		},
 		{
@@ -194,7 +216,7 @@ func TestCommands_CheckPermissionUserWrite(t *testing.T) {
 			if tt.fields.domainPermissionCheck != nil {
 				c.checkPermission = tt.fields.domainPermissionCheck(t)
 			}
-			err := c.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(tt.args.ctx)(tt.args.resourceOwner, tt.args.aggregateID)
+			err := c.NewPermissionCheckUserWrite(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.allowSelfManagement)(tt.args.resourceOwner, tt.args.aggregateID)
 			if tt.want.err != nil {
 				assert.True(t, tt.want.err(err))
 			}
@@ -223,7 +245,40 @@ func TestCommands_CheckPermissionUserDelete(t *testing.T) {
 		want   want
 	}{
 		{
-			name: "self, no permission check",
+			name: "self permission allowed, permission check",
+			fields: fields{
+				domainPermissionCheck: mockDomainPermissionCheck(
+					userCtx,
+					"user.delete",
+					"resourceOwner",
+					"aggregateID"),
+			},
+			args: args{
+				ctx:           userCtx,
+				resourceOwner: "resourceOwner",
+				aggregateID:   "aggregateID",
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "self user.delete not allowed, user.self.delete permission check",
+			fields: fields{
+				domainPermissionCheck: mockDomainPermissionChecks(
+					expectedCheck{
+						userCtx,
+						"user.delete",
+						"resourceOwner",
+						"aggregateID",
+						zerrors.ThrowPermissionDenied(nil, "id", "permission denied"),
+					},
+					expectedCheck{
+						userCtx,
+						"user.self.delete",
+						"resourceOwner",
+						"aggregateID",
+						nil,
+					},
+				),
+			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:           userCtx,
 				resourceOwner: "resourceOwner",
@@ -276,3 +331,41 @@ func mockDomainPermissionCheck(expectCtx context.Context, expectPermission, expe
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+type expectedCheck struct {
+	ctx           context.Context
+	permission    string
+	resourceOwner string
+	resourceID    string
+	err           error
+}
+
+func mockDomainPermissionChecks(checks ...expectedCheck) func(t *testing.T) domain.PermissionCheck {
+	var i int
+	return func(t *testing.T) domain.PermissionCheck {
+		t.Cleanup(func() {
+			t.Helper()
+			if i != len(checks) {
+				t.Logf("not all expected checks were called, expected: %d, got: %d", len(checks), i)
+				for ; i < len(checks); i++ {
+					t.Logf("missing call: %+v", checks[i])
+				}
+				t.Fail()
+			}
+		})
+
+		return func(ctx context.Context, permission, orgID, resourceID string) (err error) {
+			if i >= len(checks) {
+				assert.Fail(t, "no more checks expected")
+				return nil
+			}
+			expect := checks[i]
+			assert.Equal(t, expect.ctx, ctx)
+			assert.Equal(t, expect.permission, permission)
+			assert.Equal(t, expect.resourceOwner, orgID)
+			assert.Equal(t, expect.resourceID, resourceID)
+			i++
+			return expect.err
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/command/user_human_otp.go b/internal/command/user_human_otp.go
index fca762cba..7c216b828 100644
--- a/internal/command/user_human_otp.go
+++ b/internal/command/user_human_otp.go
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ func (c *Commands) HumanRemoveTOTP(ctx context.Context, userID, resourceOwner st
 	if existingOTP.State == domain.MFAStateUnspecified || existingOTP.State == domain.MFAStateRemoved {
 		return nil, zerrors.ThrowNotFound(nil, "COMMAND-Hd9sd", "Errors.User.MFA.OTP.NotExisting")
 	}
-	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingOTP.ResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
+	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingOTP.ResourceOwner, userID, true); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	userAgg := UserAggregateFromWriteModel(&existingOTP.WriteModel)
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ func (c *Commands) RemoveHumanOTPSMS(ctx context.Context, userID, resourceOwner
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingOTP.WriteModel.ResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
+	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingOTP.WriteModel.ResourceOwner, userID, true); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	if !existingOTP.otpAdded {
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ func (c *Commands) RemoveHumanOTPEmail(ctx context.Context, userID, resourceOwne
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingOTP.WriteModel.ResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
+	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingOTP.WriteModel.ResourceOwner, userID, true); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	if !existingOTP.otpAdded {
diff --git a/internal/command/user_human_password.go b/internal/command/user_human_password.go
index 1d91dc05e..ad0123f1a 100644
--- a/internal/command/user_human_password.go
+++ b/internal/command/user_human_password.go
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ type setPasswordVerification func(ctx context.Context) (newEncodedPassword strin
 // setPasswordWithPermission returns a permission check as [setPasswordVerification] implementation
 func (c *Commands) setPasswordWithPermission(userID, orgID string) setPasswordVerification {
 	return func(ctx context.Context) (_ string, err error) {
-		return "", c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, orgID, userID)
+		return "", c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, orgID, userID, false)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/command/user_human_webauthn.go b/internal/command/user_human_webauthn.go
index 3b8a66e0d..f6a85f73f 100644
--- a/internal/command/user_human_webauthn.go
+++ b/internal/command/user_human_webauthn.go
@@ -601,7 +601,7 @@ func (c *Commands) removeHumanWebAuthN(ctx context.Context, userID, webAuthNID,
 		return nil, zerrors.ThrowNotFound(nil, "COMMAND-DAfb2", "Errors.User.WebAuthN.NotFound")
 	}
 
-	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingWebAuthN.ResourceOwner, existingWebAuthN.AggregateID); err != nil {
+	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingWebAuthN.ResourceOwner, existingWebAuthN.AggregateID, true); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/command/user_metadata.go b/internal/command/user_metadata.go
index 294866e23..ac50f8a46 100644
--- a/internal/command/user_metadata.go
+++ b/internal/command/user_metadata.go
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/zitadel/zitadel/internal/zerrors"
 )
 
-func (c *Commands) SetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, metadata *domain.Metadata, userID, resourceOwner string) (_ *domain.Metadata, err error) {
+func (c *Commands) SetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, metadata *domain.Metadata, userID, resourceOwner string, check PermissionCheck) (_ *domain.Metadata, err error) {
 	ctx, span := tracing.NewSpan(ctx)
 	defer func() { span.EndWithError(err) }()
 
@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@ func (c *Commands) SetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, metadata *domain.Metadat
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, userResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+	if check != nil {
+		if err := check(userResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
 	}
 
 	setMetadata, err := c.getUserMetadataModelByID(ctx, userID, userResourceOwner, metadata.Key)
@@ -30,7 +32,7 @@ func (c *Commands) SetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, metadata *domain.Metadat
 	}
 	userAgg := UserAggregateFromWriteModel(&setMetadata.WriteModel)
 	// return if no change in the metadata
-	if bytes.Equal(setMetadata.Value, metadata.Value) {
+	if setMetadata.State == domain.MetadataStateActive && bytes.Equal(setMetadata.Value, metadata.Value) {
 		return writeModelToUserMetadata(setMetadata), nil
 	}
 
@@ -50,7 +52,7 @@ func (c *Commands) SetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, metadata *domain.Metadat
 	return writeModelToUserMetadata(setMetadata), nil
 }
 
-func (c *Commands) BulkSetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, userID, resourceOwner string, metadatas ...*domain.Metadata) (_ *domain.ObjectDetails, err error) {
+func (c *Commands) BulkSetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, userID, resourceOwner string, check PermissionCheck, metadatas ...*domain.Metadata) (_ *domain.ObjectDetails, err error) {
 	if len(metadatas) == 0 {
 		return nil, zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "META-9mm2d", "Errors.Metadata.NoData")
 	}
@@ -59,8 +61,10 @@ func (c *Commands) BulkSetUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, userID, resourceOwne
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, userResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+	if check != nil {
+		if err := check(userResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
 	}
 
 	events := make([]eventstore.Command, 0)
@@ -109,7 +113,7 @@ func (c *Commands) setUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, userAgg *eventstore.Aggr
 	), nil
 }
 
-func (c *Commands) RemoveUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, metadataKey, userID, resourceOwner string) (_ *domain.ObjectDetails, err error) {
+func (c *Commands) RemoveUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, metadataKey, userID, resourceOwner string, check PermissionCheck) (_ *domain.ObjectDetails, err error) {
 	if metadataKey == "" {
 		return nil, zerrors.ThrowInvalidArgument(nil, "META-2n0fs", "Errors.Metadata.Invalid")
 	}
@@ -117,9 +121,10 @@ func (c *Commands) RemoveUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, metadataKey, userID,
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-
-	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, userResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+	if check != nil {
+		if err := check(userResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
 	}
 
 	removeMetadata, err := c.getUserMetadataModelByID(ctx, userID, userResourceOwner, metadataKey)
@@ -146,7 +151,7 @@ func (c *Commands) RemoveUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, metadataKey, userID,
 	return writeModelToObjectDetails(&removeMetadata.WriteModel), nil
 }
 
-func (c *Commands) BulkRemoveUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, userID, resourceOwner string, metadataKeys ...string) (_ *domain.ObjectDetails, err error) {
+func (c *Commands) BulkRemoveUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, userID, resourceOwner string, check PermissionCheck, metadataKeys ...string) (_ *domain.ObjectDetails, err error) {
 	if len(metadataKeys) == 0 {
 		return nil, zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "META-9mm2d", "Errors.Metadata.NoData")
 	}
@@ -154,9 +159,10 @@ func (c *Commands) BulkRemoveUserMetadata(ctx context.Context, userID, resourceO
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-
-	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, userResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+	if check != nil {
+		if err := check(userResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
 	}
 
 	events := make([]eventstore.Command, len(metadataKeys))
diff --git a/internal/command/user_metadata_test.go b/internal/command/user_metadata_test.go
index e8fe25acd..88cde4bfb 100644
--- a/internal/command/user_metadata_test.go
+++ b/internal/command/user_metadata_test.go
@@ -16,8 +16,7 @@ import (
 
 func TestCommandSide_SetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 	type fields struct {
-		eventstore      func(t *testing.T) *eventstore.Eventstore
-		checkPermission domain.PermissionCheck
+		eventstore func(t *testing.T) *eventstore.Eventstore
 	}
 	type (
 		args struct {
@@ -25,6 +24,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_SetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 			orgID    string
 			userID   string
 			metadata *domain.Metadata
+			check    PermissionCheck
 		}
 	)
 	type res struct {
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ func TestCommandSide_SetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(
 					expectFilter(),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:    context.Background(),
@@ -88,7 +87,6 @@ func TestCommandSide_SetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:    context.Background(),
@@ -123,7 +121,6 @@ func TestCommandSide_SetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckNotAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:    context.Background(),
@@ -133,6 +130,9 @@ func TestCommandSide_SetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 					Key:   "key",
 					Value: []byte("value"),
 				},
+				check: func(resourceOwner, aggregateID string) error {
+					return zerrors.ThrowPermissionDenied(nil, "id", "permission denied")
+				},
 			},
 			res: res{
 				err: zerrors.IsPermissionDenied,
@@ -167,7 +167,6 @@ func TestCommandSide_SetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:    context.Background(),
@@ -218,9 +217,13 @@ func TestCommandSide_SetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 								[]byte("value"),
 							),
 						),
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							user.NewMetadataRemovedAllEvent(context.Background(),
+								&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+							),
+						),
 					),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:    context.Background(),
@@ -235,7 +238,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_SetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		},
 		{
-			name: "add metadata, reset, ok",
+			name: "add metadata with same key, ok",
 			fields: fields{
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(
 					expectFilter(
@@ -271,7 +274,6 @@ func TestCommandSide_SetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:    context.Background(),
@@ -294,14 +296,130 @@ func TestCommandSide_SetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			name: "add metadata with same key and value, ok (ignore)",
+			fields: fields{
+				eventstore: expectEventstore(
+					expectFilter(
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							user.NewHumanAddedEvent(context.Background(),
+								&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+								"username",
+								"firstname",
+								"lastname",
+								"",
+								"firstname lastname",
+								language.Und,
+								domain.GenderUnspecified,
+								"email@test.ch",
+								true,
+							),
+						),
+					),
+					expectFilter(
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							user.NewMetadataSetEvent(context.Background(),
+								&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+								"key",
+								[]byte("value"),
+							),
+						),
+					),
+				),
+			},
+			args: args{
+				ctx:    context.Background(),
+				orgID:  "org1",
+				userID: "user1",
+				metadata: &domain.Metadata{
+					Key:   "key",
+					Value: []byte("value"),
+				},
+			},
+			res: res{
+				want: &domain.Metadata{
+					ObjectRoot: models.ObjectRoot{
+						AggregateID:   "user1",
+						ResourceOwner: "org1",
+					},
+					Key:   "key",
+					Value: []byte("value"),
+					State: domain.MetadataStateActive,
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "add deleted metadata with same value, ok",
+			fields: fields{
+				eventstore: expectEventstore(
+					expectFilter(
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							user.NewHumanAddedEvent(context.Background(),
+								&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+								"username",
+								"firstname",
+								"lastname",
+								"",
+								"firstname lastname",
+								language.Und,
+								domain.GenderUnspecified,
+								"email@test.ch",
+								true,
+							),
+						),
+					),
+					expectFilter(
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							user.NewMetadataSetEvent(context.Background(),
+								&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+								"key",
+								[]byte("value"),
+							),
+						),
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							user.NewMetadataRemovedEvent(context.Background(),
+								&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+								"key",
+							),
+						),
+					),
+					expectPush(
+						user.NewMetadataSetEvent(context.Background(),
+							&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+							"key",
+							[]byte("value"),
+						),
+					),
+				),
+			},
+			args: args{
+				ctx:    context.Background(),
+				orgID:  "org1",
+				userID: "user1",
+				metadata: &domain.Metadata{
+					Key:   "key",
+					Value: []byte("value"),
+				},
+			},
+			res: res{
+				want: &domain.Metadata{
+					ObjectRoot: models.ObjectRoot{
+						AggregateID:   "user1",
+						ResourceOwner: "org1",
+					},
+					Key:   "key",
+					Value: []byte("value"),
+					State: domain.MetadataStateActive,
+				},
+			},
+		},
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			r := &Commands{
-				eventstore:      tt.fields.eventstore(t),
-				checkPermission: tt.fields.checkPermission,
+				eventstore: tt.fields.eventstore(t),
 			}
-			got, err := r.SetUserMetadata(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.metadata, tt.args.userID, tt.args.orgID)
+			got, err := r.SetUserMetadata(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.metadata, tt.args.userID, tt.args.orgID, tt.args.check)
 			if tt.res.err == nil {
 				assert.NoError(t, err)
 			}
@@ -317,14 +435,14 @@ func TestCommandSide_SetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestCommandSide_BulkSetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 	type fields struct {
-		eventstore      func(t *testing.T) *eventstore.Eventstore
-		checkPermission domain.PermissionCheck
+		eventstore func(t *testing.T) *eventstore.Eventstore
 	}
 	type (
 		args struct {
 			ctx          context.Context
 			orgID        string
 			userID       string
+			check        PermissionCheck
 			metadataList []*domain.Metadata
 		}
 	)
@@ -394,7 +512,6 @@ func TestCommandSide_BulkSetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 					expectFilter(),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:    context.Background(),
@@ -430,12 +547,14 @@ func TestCommandSide_BulkSetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckNotAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:    context.Background(),
 				orgID:  "org1",
 				userID: "user1",
+				check: func(resourceOwner, aggregateID string) error {
+					return zerrors.ThrowPermissionDenied(nil, "id", "permission-denied")
+				},
 				metadataList: []*domain.Metadata{
 					{Key: "key", Value: []byte("value")},
 					{Key: "key1", Value: []byte("value1")},
@@ -479,7 +598,6 @@ func TestCommandSide_BulkSetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:    context.Background(),
@@ -496,14 +614,82 @@ func TestCommandSide_BulkSetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			name: "re add deleted metadata, ok",
+			fields: fields{
+				eventstore: expectEventstore(
+					expectFilter(
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							user.NewHumanAddedEvent(context.Background(),
+								&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+								"username",
+								"firstname",
+								"lastname",
+								"",
+								"firstname lastname",
+								language.Und,
+								domain.GenderUnspecified,
+								"email@test.ch",
+								true,
+							),
+						),
+					),
+					expectFilter(
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							user.NewMetadataSetEvent(context.Background(),
+								&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+								"key",
+								[]byte("value"),
+							)),
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							user.NewMetadataSetEvent(context.Background(),
+								&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+								"key1",
+								[]byte("value1"),
+							)),
+						eventFromEventPusher(
+							user.NewMetadataRemovedEvent(context.Background(),
+								&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+								"key",
+							)),
+					),
+					expectPush(
+						user.NewMetadataSetEvent(context.Background(),
+							&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+							"key",
+							[]byte("value"),
+						),
+						user.NewMetadataSetEvent(context.Background(),
+							&user.NewAggregate("user1", "org1").Aggregate,
+							"key2",
+							[]byte("value2"),
+						),
+					),
+				),
+			},
+			args: args{
+				ctx:    context.Background(),
+				orgID:  "org1",
+				userID: "user1",
+				metadataList: []*domain.Metadata{
+					{Key: "key", Value: []byte("value")},
+					{Key: "key1", Value: []byte("value1")},
+					{Key: "key2", Value: []byte("value2")},
+				},
+			},
+			res: res{
+				want: &domain.ObjectDetails{
+					ResourceOwner: "org1",
+				},
+			},
+		},
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			r := &Commands{
-				eventstore:      tt.fields.eventstore(t),
-				checkPermission: tt.fields.checkPermission,
+				eventstore: tt.fields.eventstore(t),
 			}
-			got, err := r.BulkSetUserMetadata(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.userID, tt.args.orgID, tt.args.metadataList...)
+			got, err := r.BulkSetUserMetadata(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.userID, tt.args.orgID, tt.args.check, tt.args.metadataList...)
 			if tt.res.err == nil {
 				assert.NoError(t, err)
 			}
@@ -519,8 +705,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_BulkSetUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestCommandSide_UserRemoveMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 	type fields struct {
-		eventstore      func(t *testing.T) *eventstore.Eventstore
-		checkPermission domain.PermissionCheck
+		eventstore func(t *testing.T) *eventstore.Eventstore
 	}
 	type (
 		args struct {
@@ -528,6 +713,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_UserRemoveMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 			orgID       string
 			userID      string
 			metadataKey string
+			check       PermissionCheck
 		}
 	)
 	type res struct {
@@ -594,7 +780,6 @@ func TestCommandSide_UserRemoveMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 					expectFilter(),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:         context.Background(),
@@ -627,13 +812,15 @@ func TestCommandSide_UserRemoveMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckNotAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:         context.Background(),
 				orgID:       "org1",
 				userID:      "user1",
 				metadataKey: "key",
+				check: func(resourceOwner, aggregateID string) error {
+					return zerrors.ThrowPermissionDenied(nil, "id", "permission denied")
+				},
 			},
 			res: res{
 				err: zerrors.IsPermissionDenied,
@@ -675,7 +862,6 @@ func TestCommandSide_UserRemoveMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:         context.Background(),
@@ -693,10 +879,9 @@ func TestCommandSide_UserRemoveMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			r := &Commands{
-				eventstore:      tt.fields.eventstore(t),
-				checkPermission: tt.fields.checkPermission,
+				eventstore: tt.fields.eventstore(t),
 			}
-			got, err := r.RemoveUserMetadata(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.metadataKey, tt.args.userID, tt.args.orgID)
+			got, err := r.RemoveUserMetadata(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.metadataKey, tt.args.userID, tt.args.orgID, tt.args.check)
 			if tt.res.err == nil {
 				assert.NoError(t, err)
 			}
@@ -712,14 +897,14 @@ func TestCommandSide_UserRemoveMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestCommandSide_BulkRemoveUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 	type fields struct {
-		eventstore      func(t *testing.T) *eventstore.Eventstore
-		checkPermission domain.PermissionCheck
+		eventstore func(t *testing.T) *eventstore.Eventstore
 	}
 	type (
 		args struct {
 			ctx          context.Context
 			orgID        string
 			userID       string
+			check        PermissionCheck
 			metadataList []string
 		}
 	)
@@ -794,7 +979,6 @@ func TestCommandSide_BulkRemoveUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:          context.Background(),
@@ -843,7 +1027,6 @@ func TestCommandSide_BulkRemoveUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:          context.Background(),
@@ -876,13 +1059,15 @@ func TestCommandSide_BulkRemoveUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckNotAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:          context.Background(),
 				orgID:        "org1",
 				userID:       "user1",
 				metadataList: []string{"key", "key1"},
+				check: func(resourceOwner, aggregateID string) error {
+					return zerrors.ThrowPermissionDenied(nil, "id", "permission denied")
+				},
 			},
 			res: res{
 				err: zerrors.IsPermissionDenied,
@@ -935,7 +1120,6 @@ func TestCommandSide_BulkRemoveUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 						),
 					),
 				),
-				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckAllowed(),
 			},
 			args: args{
 				ctx:          context.Background(),
@@ -953,10 +1137,9 @@ func TestCommandSide_BulkRemoveUserMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			r := &Commands{
-				eventstore:      tt.fields.eventstore(t),
-				checkPermission: tt.fields.checkPermission,
+				eventstore: tt.fields.eventstore(t),
 			}
-			got, err := r.BulkRemoveUserMetadata(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.userID, tt.args.orgID, tt.args.metadataList...)
+			got, err := r.BulkRemoveUserMetadata(tt.args.ctx, tt.args.userID, tt.args.orgID, tt.args.check, tt.args.metadataList...)
 			if tt.res.err == nil {
 				assert.NoError(t, err)
 			}
diff --git a/internal/command/user_v2.go b/internal/command/user_v2.go
index 028fda7f4..1963e5e30 100644
--- a/internal/command/user_v2.go
+++ b/internal/command/user_v2.go
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func (c *Commands) LockUserV2(ctx context.Context, userID string) (*domain.Objec
 		return nil, zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "COMMAND-lgws8wtsqf", "Errors.User.ShouldBeActiveOrInitial")
 	}
 
-	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingHuman.ResourceOwner, existingHuman.AggregateID); err != nil {
+	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingHuman.ResourceOwner, existingHuman.AggregateID, false); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ func (c *Commands) UnlockUserV2(ctx context.Context, userID string) (*domain.Obj
 	if !hasUserState(existingHuman.UserState, domain.UserStateLocked) {
 		return nil, zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "COMMAND-olb9vb0oca", "Errors.User.NotLocked")
 	}
-	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingHuman.ResourceOwner, existingHuman.AggregateID); err != nil {
+	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingHuman.ResourceOwner, existingHuman.AggregateID, false); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ func (c *Commands) DeactivateUserV2(ctx context.Context, userID string) (*domain
 	if isUserStateInactive(existingHuman.UserState) {
 		return nil, zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "COMMAND-5gunjw0cd7", "Errors.User.AlreadyInactive")
 	}
-	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingHuman.ResourceOwner, existingHuman.AggregateID); err != nil {
+	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingHuman.ResourceOwner, existingHuman.AggregateID, false); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ func (c *Commands) ReactivateUserV2(ctx context.Context, userID string) (*domain
 	if !isUserStateInactive(existingHuman.UserState) {
 		return nil, zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "COMMAND-s5qqcz97hf", "Errors.User.NotInactive")
 	}
-	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingHuman.ResourceOwner, existingHuman.AggregateID); err != nil {
+	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingHuman.ResourceOwner, existingHuman.AggregateID, false); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/command/user_v2_email.go b/internal/command/user_v2_email.go
index f372d5846..59793e50b 100644
--- a/internal/command/user_v2_email.go
+++ b/internal/command/user_v2_email.go
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ func (c *Commands) changeUserEmailWithGeneratorEvents(ctx context.Context, userI
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if err = c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, cmd.aggregate.ResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
+	if err = c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, cmd.aggregate.ResourceOwner, userID, true); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	if err = cmd.Change(ctx, domain.EmailAddress(email)); err != nil {
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ func (c *Commands) sendUserEmailCodeWithGeneratorEvents(ctx context.Context, use
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if err = c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, cmd.aggregate.ResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
+	if err = c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, cmd.aggregate.ResourceOwner, userID, true); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	if existingCheck && cmd.model.Code == nil {
diff --git a/internal/command/user_v2_human.go b/internal/command/user_v2_human.go
index 572aa2962..8bbd8b674 100644
--- a/internal/command/user_v2_human.go
+++ b/internal/command/user_v2_human.go
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ func (c *Commands) AddUserHuman(ctx context.Context, resourceOwner string, human
 	}
 	// check for permission to create user on resourceOwner
 	if !human.Register {
-		if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, resourceOwner, human.ID); err != nil {
+		if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, resourceOwner, human.ID, true); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
@@ -279,6 +279,7 @@ func (c *Commands) ChangeUserHuman(ctx context.Context, human *ChangeHuman, alg
 		return err
 	}
 
+	metadataChanged := len(human.Metadata) > 0 || len(human.MetadataKeysToRemove) > 0
 	existingHuman, err := c.UserHumanWriteModel(
 		ctx,
 		human.ID,
@@ -289,14 +290,14 @@ func (c *Commands) ChangeUserHuman(ctx context.Context, human *ChangeHuman, alg
 		human.Password != nil,
 		false, // avatar not updateable
 		false, // IDPLinks not updateable
-		len(human.Metadata) > 0 || len(human.MetadataKeysToRemove) > 0,
+		metadataChanged,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	if human.Changed() {
-		if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingHuman.ResourceOwner, existingHuman.AggregateID); err != nil {
+		if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingHuman.ResourceOwner, existingHuman.AggregateID, !metadataChanged); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
@@ -522,7 +523,7 @@ func (c *Commands) HumanMFAInitSkippedV2(ctx context.Context, userID string) (*d
 	if !isUserStateExists(existingHuman.UserState) {
 		return nil, zerrors.ThrowNotFound(nil, "COMMAND-auj6jeBei4", "Errors.User.NotFound")
 	}
-	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingHuman.ResourceOwner, existingHuman.AggregateID); err != nil {
+	if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingHuman.ResourceOwner, existingHuman.AggregateID, true); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/command/user_v2_machine.go b/internal/command/user_v2_machine.go
index 34079b7e6..3de1ea9af 100644
--- a/internal/command/user_v2_machine.go
+++ b/internal/command/user_v2_machine.go
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func (c *Commands) ChangeUserMachine(ctx context.Context, machine *ChangeMachine
 		return err
 	}
 	if machine.Changed() {
-		if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingMachine.ResourceOwner, existingMachine.AggregateID); err != nil {
+		if err := c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, existingMachine.ResourceOwner, existingMachine.AggregateID, true); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/internal/command/user_v2_password.go b/internal/command/user_v2_password.go
index e04b6ed74..7961f740c 100644
--- a/internal/command/user_v2_password.go
+++ b/internal/command/user_v2_password.go
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func (c *Commands) requestPasswordReset(ctx context.Context, userID string, retu
 	if model.UserState == domain.UserStateInitial {
 		return nil, nil, zerrors.ThrowPreconditionFailed(nil, "COMMAND-Sfe4g", "Errors.User.NotInitialised")
 	}
-	if err = c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, model.ResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
+	if err = c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, model.ResourceOwner, userID, true); err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
 	var passwordCode *EncryptedCode
diff --git a/internal/command/user_v2_phone.go b/internal/command/user_v2_phone.go
index 8648f9a56..9a84d2e9a 100644
--- a/internal/command/user_v2_phone.go
+++ b/internal/command/user_v2_phone.go
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ func (c *Commands) changeUserPhoneWithGenerator(ctx context.Context, userID, pho
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if err = c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, cmd.aggregate.ResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
+	if err = c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, cmd.aggregate.ResourceOwner, userID, true); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	if err = cmd.Change(ctx, domain.PhoneNumber(phone)); err != nil {
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ func (c *Commands) resendUserPhoneCodeWithGenerator(ctx context.Context, userID
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if err = c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, cmd.aggregate.ResourceOwner, userID); err != nil {
+	if err = c.checkPermissionUpdateUser(ctx, cmd.aggregate.ResourceOwner, userID, true); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	if cmd.model.Code == nil && cmd.model.GeneratorID == "" {
diff --git a/internal/command/user_v2_test.go b/internal/command/user_v2_test.go
index f878569a0..80408e5f9 100644
--- a/internal/command/user_v2_test.go
+++ b/internal/command/user_v2_test.go
@@ -1352,7 +1352,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_RemoveUserV2(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		},
 		{
-			name: "remove self, ok",
+			name: "remove self, permission denied",
 			fields: fields{
 				eventstore: expectEventstore(
 					expectFilter(
@@ -1371,25 +1371,6 @@ func TestCommandSide_RemoveUserV2(t *testing.T) {
 							),
 						),
 					),
-					expectFilter(
-						eventFromEventPusher(
-							org.NewDomainPolicyAddedEvent(ctx,
-								orgAgg,
-								true,
-								true,
-								true,
-							),
-						),
-					),
-					expectFilterOrganizationSettings("org1", false, false),
-					expectPush(
-						user.NewUserRemovedEvent(ctx,
-							&user.NewAggregate(ctxUserID, "org1").Aggregate,
-							"username",
-							nil,
-							true,
-						),
-					),
 				),
 				checkPermission: newMockPermissionCheckNotAllowed(),
 			},
@@ -1397,9 +1378,7 @@ func TestCommandSide_RemoveUserV2(t *testing.T) {
 				userID: ctxUserID,
 			},
 			res: res{
-				want: &domain.ObjectDetails{
-					ResourceOwner: "org1",
-				},
+				err: zerrors.IsPermissionDenied,
 			},
 		},
 	}
diff --git a/internal/domain/permission.go b/internal/domain/permission.go
index cbea7028a..ff21530af 100644
--- a/internal/domain/permission.go
+++ b/internal/domain/permission.go
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ const (
 	PermissionUserWrite                = "user.write"
 	PermissionUserRead                 = "user.read"
 	PermissionUserDelete               = "user.delete"
+	PermissionUserDeleteSelf           = "user.self.delete"
 	PermissionUserCredentialWrite      = "user.credential.write"
 	PermissionSessionWrite             = "session.write"
 	PermissionSessionRead              = "session.read"
diff --git a/internal/integration/client.go b/internal/integration/client.go
index 848262a51..78f07425c 100644
--- a/internal/integration/client.go
+++ b/internal/integration/client.go
@@ -999,13 +999,17 @@ func (i *Instance) DeleteInstanceMembership(t *testing.T, ctx context.Context, u
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 }
 
-func (i *Instance) CreateOrgMembership(t *testing.T, ctx context.Context, orgID, userID string) *internal_permission_v2beta.CreateAdministratorResponse {
+// CreateOrgMembership creates an org membership with the given roles. If no roles are provided, the user will be assigned the "org.owner" role.
+func (i *Instance) CreateOrgMembership(t *testing.T, ctx context.Context, orgID, userID string, roles ...string) *internal_permission_v2beta.CreateAdministratorResponse {
+	if len(roles) == 0 {
+		roles = []string{domain.RoleOrgOwner}
+	}
 	resp, err := i.Client.InternalPermissionv2Beta.CreateAdministrator(ctx, &internal_permission_v2beta.CreateAdministratorRequest{
 		Resource: &internal_permission_v2beta.ResourceType{
 			Resource: &internal_permission_v2beta.ResourceType_OrganizationId{OrganizationId: orgID},
 		},
 		UserId: userID,
-		Roles:  []string{domain.RoleOrgOwner},
+		Roles:  roles,
 	})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	return resp