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GFGermania FacileLiving in Germany, explained

Glossary

German terms, clearly explained

Look up the words that keep appearing in letters, contracts and offices.

Anmeldung
Registration of your address at the local Bürgeramt.
When you meet it: In your first weeks at a new address in Germany.
Abmeldung
Deregistration when you leave an address or the country.
When you meet it: When you move abroad, and in some cases when you give up a flat.
Ummeldung
Re-registration when you move to a new address inside Germany.
When you meet it: Every time you move within Germany.
Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
Written confirmation from your landlord that you moved into the flat.
When you meet it: Normally required at your Anmeldung appointment.
Meldebescheinigung
Official certificate proving your registered address.
When you meet it: Asked for by banks, employers, insurers and schools.
Bürgeramt
The municipal citizens' office handling registration and ID matters.
When you meet it: For registration, deregistration and many municipal documents.
Ausländerbehörde
Immigration office responsible for residence titles.
When you meet it: If your nationality requires a residence permit or its extension.
Aufenthaltstitel
Residence title allowing you to stay, and often to work, in Germany.
When you meet it: For non-EU nationals; conditions depend on your purpose of stay.
Finanzamt
The local tax office.
When you meet it: For tax numbers, tax returns and tax notices.
Steuer-ID
Your lifelong tax identification number, sent by post after registration.
When you meet it: Needed by every employer before your first payslip.
Steuerklasse
Tax class: determines how much income tax is withheld from your salary.
When you meet it: On your payslip, and when your marital status changes.
Sozialversicherungsnummer
Social security number linked to your pension insurance.
When you meet it: Requested by employers when you start a job.
Sozialversicherung
Social insurance: health, care, pension and unemployment contributions.
When you meet it: As deductions on every payslip.
Rentenversicherung
Statutory pension insurance.
When you meet it: Automatically for most employees; letters arrive yearly.
Krankenkasse
A public health insurance provider.
When you meet it: From your first job or study place onwards; membership is compulsory.
Gehaltsabrechnung
Monthly payslip showing gross pay, deductions and net pay.
When you meet it: Every month from your employer.
Arbeitsvertrag
Employment contract.
When you meet it: Before you start any job; read it fully before signing.
Probezeit
Probation period with shorter notice periods.
When you meet it: Usually at the start of a job or an Ausbildung.
Kündigungsfrist
Notice period for ending an employment or rental contract.
When you meet it: Whenever you or the other side want to end a contract.
Lebenslauf
CV, usually one to two pages, reverse chronological.
When you meet it: In every German job application.
Anschreiben
Cover letter written specifically for one job.
When you meet it: When the job advert asks for one.
Zeugnis
A certificate or employer reference documenting education or work.
When you meet it: As part of your application folder.
Bewerbungsgespräch
Job interview.
When you meet it: After a successful application.
Bundesagentur für Arbeit
Federal Employment Agency: job placement, training and unemployment benefits.
When you meet it: When looking for work, training, or after losing a job.
Jobcenter
Local office handling basic income support (Bürgergeld) and related services.
When you meet it: If you apply for basic income support; entitlement depends on your status.
Kaltmiete
Base rent, before heating and service charges.
When you meet it: In every flat advert and rental contract.
Warmmiete
Base rent plus service charges; electricity and internet are often extra.
When you meet it: When comparing what a flat really costs per month.
Nebenkosten
Service charges added to the base rent.
When you meet it: Monthly with the rent, plus a yearly statement.
Kaution
Rental deposit, legally capped at three months of base rent.
When you meet it: Before moving in; returned after the tenancy ends, if nothing is owed.
Hausordnung
House rules covering quiet hours, cleaning duties and shared spaces.
When you meet it: Usually attached to the rental contract.
Übergabeprotokoll
Handover record documenting the condition of the flat.
When you meet it: At move-in and move-out; protects your deposit.
Mietvertrag
Rental contract.
When you meet it: Before you get the keys.
SCHUFA
Credit reference agency; landlords often ask for its report.
When you meet it: When applying for a flat, a phone contract or a loan.
Rundfunkbeitrag
Broadcasting fee, charged per household, not per person.
When you meet it: Shortly after you register a new address.
Pfand
Bottle deposit refunded when you return the container.
When you meet it: At every supermarket checkout and return machine.
Ruhezeit
Quiet hours, usually at night and all day Sunday.
When you meet it: Set by the house rules and local regulations.
Kindergeld
Child benefit paid monthly per child.
When you meet it: Applied for through the Familienkasse; conditions apply.
Elterngeld
Parental allowance after the birth of a child.
When you meet it: Applied for after birth, within a limited period.
Ausbildung
Dual vocational training combining work and vocational school.
When you meet it: When starting vocational training instead of, or after, studies.
Anerkennung
Official recognition of a foreign qualification.
When you meet it: Before working in a regulated profession, and often for job applications.
Deutschlandticket
Monthly nationwide ticket for regional and local public transport.
When you meet it: If you commute by bus, tram, U-Bahn or regional train.
Hauptuntersuchung (TÜV)
Mandatory technical vehicle inspection.
When you meet it: Regularly, if you own a car in Germany.
Frist
Deadline stated in an official letter; missing it usually has consequences.
When you meet it: In almost every letter from an authority.
Bescheid
An official decision or notice from an authority.
When you meet it: After applications to offices, insurers or the tax office.
Widerspruch
Formal objection against an official decision, within a deadline.
When you meet it: If you believe a decision is wrong; check the deadline in the letter.