Guides: German official letters explained

What does the letter mean, which deadline applies, what should you do now? Every page names the legal basis and is checked regularly.

Courts and the yellow envelope

Yellow letter in Germany: what it means and what to do nowYellow envelope in Germany: what it means, post from the Amtsgericht or about Inkasso, the date on the envelope and what you should do now.

Debt collection and reminders

Inkasso letter in Germany: real or fake?Is this debt collection letter from Germany real or fake? Check in 4 steps: register, required details, claim, warning signs. And what to do with a fake.

Finanzamt and taxes

I received a letter from the Finanzamt: what is it?Received a letter from the Finanzamt in Germany? The usual types, the deadlines that apply and how to spot a fake, explained in plain English.

Jobcenter, authorities and decisions

Translating and understanding letters

German official letter explained: how to understand it in five stepsUnderstand German official letters: 5 steps for any letter, a glossary of key terms, the yellow envelope and the most common deadlines. In plain English.

This page explains in general what such letters mean. It is not legal advice and does not replace advice on your individual case. What your own letter says always comes first.