Guide

German letters,
plainly explained.

From a Finanzamt tax assessment to an AOK contribution change — step-by-step guides for every official German letter, in English.

All Authorities Tax Law Housing Health
Authorities · Tax

A letter from the Finanzamt — what now?

Tax assessment, reminder or request. What it contains, the deadline, what happens if you don't respond.

5 min read
Law · Traffic

German speeding fine — pay or appeal?

When an appeal is worth it, how long you have, and when a lawyer pays off.

5 min read
Authorities · Welfare

Reading a Jobcenter letter

Approval, sanction, repayment — what the terms mean and how to react within the deadline.

5 min read
Law · Finance

Got a German payment reminder?

First reminder, debt collection, court order: when it gets serious and how to respond.

5 min read
Finance · Housing

German TV tax — do I really have to pay?

Who's exempt, who gets a reduction, and how to deregister when you leave Germany.

5 min read
Law · Finance

Debt collection in Germany — real or scam?

How to tell if you actually owe money and which claims you don't have to pay.

5 min read
Health · Finance

Letter from your German health insurer

Contribution change, bonus, benefit decision — what's in it and what to answer.

5 min read
Housing · Law

German rental termination — deadlines & form

Ordinary, extraordinary, personal use: what your landlord may do and how to object.

5 min read
Law

German Abmahnung — step by step

Filesharing, competition, employment: when to pay, when to sign, when to ignore.

5 min read
Tax

German tax assessment — line by line

What the line items mean, when an objection is worth it, and when the refund lands.

5 min read