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What does Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung mean?

The Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung is a text at the end of a Bescheid. It explains how you can challenge the decision.

die Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung · die Rechtsbehelfsbelehrungen (plural)

It says what you can do, for example a Widerspruch, an Einspruch or a Klage (a court case). It also says where to send it and by when.

If the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung is missing or wrong, a longer deadline of one year often applies. Do not rely on this: it is safer to act within the normal deadline.

Example sentence

Gegen diesen Bescheid kann innerhalb eines Monats nach Bekanntgabe Widerspruch erhoben werden.

A Widerspruch against this Bescheid can be filed within one month after its Bekanntgabe (official notification).

What you can do

Read the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung first. Write down the deadline and where your answer has to go.

Calculate your deadline

  • Bescheid A Bescheid is a letter in which an office decides something about your case.
  • Widerspruch With a Widerspruch, you tell the office: I do not agree with this Bescheid.
  • Einspruch With an Einspruch, you challenge certain decisions, for example from the Finanzamt (tax office) or a Bußgeldbescheid (fine).
  • Klage With a Klage (lawsuit), you ask a court to check a decision made by an office.
  • Frist A Frist is the time within which you must do something, for example reply or file a Widerspruch.
  • Bekanntgabe Bekanntgabe (notification) means: a Bescheid counts as having reached you. The deadline usually counts from this day.