Most German authorities, insurers and landlords communicate by post, and a letter can start a deadline the day it arrives. Put your name on your letterbox, check it at least weekly, and keep every official letter.
Reading a Bescheid
A Bescheid is an official decision: on your tax, your residence permit, a benefit or a fee. It usually ends with a section called Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung that explains how to challenge it.
| You see | It means |
|---|---|
| Frist, bis zum … | A deadline. Act before this date. |
| Widerspruch | An objection to a decision. Normally possible within one month of receiving it. |
| Mahnung | A payment reminder. Unpaid, it can lead to fees and debt collection. |
| Anhörung | A hearing: the authority asks for your side before it decides. |
The letter translator gives you a plain-English summary of a German letter and what it asks you to do. For anything with legal consequences, also ask the authority, a counselling service or a lawyer.
Common questions
I missed a deadline. What now?
Contact the authority straight away and explain why. For some deadlines you can ask for reinstatement (Wiedereinsetzung) if you missed it through no fault of your own, such as being in hospital.
Can I reply by email?
Only if the letter gives an email address for that purpose. An objection usually has to be in writing and signed, or sent through a secure channel the authority names.
Sources
Rules and amounts change. Check the official source before you rely on a figure.