Official German glossary

Ablehnung refusal رد درخواست

Your application was refused; check whether an objection makes sense.

Aktenzeichen file number شمارهٔ پرونده

The number of your case; quote it in every reply.

Anhörung hearing / chance to comment فرصت اظهار نظر

Before deciding against you, the authority lets you comment. Reply within the deadline.

Anlage enclosure پیوست

A document enclosed with a letter.

Anmeldung registration of address ثبت محل سکونت

Duty to register at the citizens’ office within two weeks of moving.

Antrag application درخواست

A written request to the authority, e.g. for a benefit.

Aufenthaltstitel residence permit اجازهٔ اقامت

Permission to live in Germany; renew it in good time before it expires.

Beglaubigte Kopie certified copy کپی برابر اصل

A copy officially confirmed to match the original.

Bescheid official decision تصمیم اداری

A binding decision by an authority that you can challenge.

Bewilligung approval تأیید / پذیرش

Your application has been approved.

Bußgeldbescheid fine notice برگهٔ جریمه

A penalty for a minor offence, e.g. in traffic; objection within two weeks.

Bürgergeld citizen’s income (basic benefit) کمک‌هزینهٔ بیکاری (بورگرگلد)

Basic income support for jobseekers from the Jobcenter.

Duldung temporary suspension of deportation مدارای موقت (توقف اخراج)

Not a residence permit: deportation is only temporarily suspended.

Einbürgerung naturalisation تابعیت گرفتن

Acquiring German citizenship by application.

Eingangsbestätigung acknowledgement of receipt تأییدیهٔ دریافت

Confirmation that your letter has arrived.

Einspruch objection (tax, fines) اعتراض (مالیات، جریمه)

Like an objection, but e.g. against tax assessments or fine notices.

Elterngeld parental allowance کمک‌هزینهٔ والدین

Money for parents who work less or not at all after a birth.

Erstattung refund بازپرداخت

You get money back, e.g. from the tax office.

Fiktionsbescheinigung provisional residence certificate گواهی موقت اقامت

Certificate that your stay remains valid while your application is pending.

Frist deadline مهلت

The period by which something must be done.

Inkasso debt collection وصول مطالبات

A company collecting debts for others. Check the claim carefully before paying.

Kaution deposit ودیعه

A security deposit for a flat, at most three months’ basic rent.

Kindergeld child benefit کمک‌هزینهٔ فرزند

A monthly payment for children, applied for at the Familienkasse.

Klage lawsuit شکایت به دادگاه

Court proceedings, often after an unsuccessful objection.

Krankenkasse health insurance fund بیمهٔ درمانی

Statutory health insurance; compulsory for almost everyone in Germany.

Kündigung notice of termination فسخ قرارداد

Ending a contract, e.g. tenancy or job; check the deadlines carefully.

Mahnung payment reminder اخطار پرداخت

A reminder that a payment is overdue; fees are often added.

Meldebescheinigung certificate of registration گواهی محل سکونت

Confirmation of your address from the citizens’ office.

Mitwirkungspflicht duty to cooperate وظیفهٔ همکاری

You must provide documents and information, or a benefit may be cut.

Nachweis proof مدرک

A document that proves something, e.g. a payslip or tenancy agreement.

Nebenkostenabrechnung service charge statement صورت‌حساب هزینه‌های جانبی

Annual statement of service charges; you pay extra or get money back.

Niederlassungserlaubnis permanent residence permit اقامت دائم

A residence permit without time limit.

Pfändung seizure / garnishment توقیف

Seizure of wages, account or belongings because of debts.

Ratenzahlung payment in instalments پرداخت قسطی

You can often ask to pay a claim in instalments.

Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung information on legal remedies راهنمای اعتراض

Section at the end of a decision: how, where and by when you can challenge it.

Rundfunkbeitrag broadcasting fee هزینهٔ رادیو و تلویزیون

A compulsory fee per household for public broadcasting; exemption possible with social benefits.

Rückforderung claim for repayment مطالبهٔ بازپرداخت

The authority wants overpaid money back.

Steuer-Identifikationsnummer tax ID number شمارهٔ شناسایی مالیاتی

A lifelong tax number sent to you by post after registering your address.

Steuerbescheid tax assessment برگهٔ تشخیص مالیات

The result of your tax return; objection within a month.

Stundung deferral of payment مهلت پرداخت

Postponing a payment to a later date.

Säumniszuschlag late payment surcharge جریمهٔ دیرکرد

A surcharge because you paid late.

Termin appointment وقت ملاقات

A fixed time at an office; cancel in good time if you can’t come.

Vollmacht power of attorney وکالت‌نامه

Written permission for someone else to act for you.

Vollstreckung enforcement اجرای قهری

The authority collects money by force, e.g. by seizing your account. React immediately.

Vorladung summons احضاریه

A request to appear at a set time, e.g. at the police or in court.

Widerspruch objection اعتراض

An objection to a decision lodged with the same authority, usually within a month.

Wohngeld housing benefit کمک‌هزینهٔ مسکن

A rent subsidy for low-income households.

General information about letters from German authorities, not legal advice. The information on legal remedies in your letter always takes precedence. For important deadlines, get personal advice.