Glossary — legal terms A-Z

Plain-language explanations of key German and Austrian legal terms — with links to matching templates.

A
Access to Files Access to files means the right to view certain documents or records. Additional Costs Additional costs are extra expenses that come on top of the rent. Additional Needs Extra financial support for special life situations. Administrative Offense An administrative offense is a minor legal violation. Apartment Handover The apartment handover is the process of returning the apartment to the landlord. Attachment Attachment is the legal seizure of assets to settle debts. AU Certificate The AU Certificate is proof of incapacity for work due to illness.
B
Bailiff A bailiff is an officer responsible for enforcing court decisions. Basic Security Basic security provides financial support for those with low income. Bedarfsgemeinschaft A Bedarfsgemeinschaft is a group of people responsible for each other's living costs. Blocking Period (Unemployment Benefits) The blocking period is a time when unemployment benefits are not paid.
C
Care Leave Care Leave allows employees to take time off to care for relatives. Care Level The care level determines the support needs of individuals in need of care. Certificate of Conduct A Certificate of Conduct shows if a person has any criminal record. Child Benefit Child Benefit is financial support for parents in Germany. Child Supplement The Child Supplement is financial support for families with low income. Citizen’s Allowance Citizen's Allowance is financial support for people in Germany. Conciliation Hearing A conciliation hearing is a meeting aimed at resolving disputes without going to court. Consumer Insolvency Consumer insolvency is a process for individuals to manage their debts. Continuation of Benefits Continuation of benefits refers to the extension of social support like unemployment benefits. Continued Salary Payment Continued salary payment means employees receive their salary even when sick. Contribution Increase A contribution increase is the rise in payments one must regularly make. Cosmetic Repairs Cosmetic repairs are minor renovation tasks often required of tenants. Creditworthiness Creditworthiness refers to a person's or company's ability to repay loans. Custody Custody determines who is responsible for raising and caring for a child.
D
Debt Collection Debt collection is the process of pursuing payments owed by individuals or businesses. Debt Counseling Debt counseling helps people manage their debts and finances effectively. Deductible The deductible is the portion of costs you must pay yourself. Deferral Deferral means postponing a payment to a later date. Deposit (Rental Security) The deposit is a sum of money paid by tenants as security. Direct Debit (SEPA) A direct debit is a method to withdraw money from a bank account. Discharge of Residual Debt Discharge of Residual Debt allows individuals to be freed from remaining debts after bankruptcy. Distance Selling Contract A distance selling contract is a purchase agreement made without face-to-face contact.
E
Educational Leave Educational leave is a legally regulated time off for training. Employment Reference An employment reference is a document describing an employee's performance and behavior. Enforcement Order An enforcement order is a legal document to enforce claims without prior litigation. Eviction Lawsuit An eviction lawsuit is a legal action to remove a tenant from a property. Extraordinary Termination Extraordinary termination is an immediate end to a contract without notice.
F
Familienkasse The Familienkasse is the authority that pays child benefits. Family Care Leave Family Care Leave allows employees to reduce work hours to care for relatives. Fine Notice A fine notice is an official letter about a monetary penalty. Fixed-Term Employment Contract A fixed-term employment contract has a set end date. Fixed-term Lease Agreement A fixed-term lease agreement is a rental contract for a specific period.
G
Guarantee A guarantee is a promise that a product will work or meet certain standards.
H
Hearing (Authority) A hearing is a formal invitation to provide a statement to an authority. Heating Cost Allowance The heating cost allowance is financial support for heating expenses. Holiday Pay Holiday pay is a financial support for employees during their vacation. House Rules House rules govern living together in a building. Housing Benefit Housing benefit is financial assistance for low-income tenants.
I
Index Rent Index rent is a rental form linked to a price index. Installment Payment Installment payment means paying a total amount in several smaller parts. Installment Payment Installment payment means paying a bill in several parts. Integration Agreement An integration agreement is a contract to support job seekers. Interim Certificate An interim certificate is a work reference issued during an employment period.
K
Kündigungsschutzklage A Kündigungsschutzklage protects employees from unlawful termination.
L
Labor Court The Labor Court handles disputes between employees and employers. Lastenzuschuss Lastenzuschuss is financial aid for housing costs. Lawsuit Deadline The lawsuit deadline is the time frame in which one can file a lawsuit. Legal Aid Legal Aid helps low-income individuals cover court costs. Legal Aid Legal aid helps low-income individuals access legal advice. Limitation Limitation means that claims cannot be enforced after a certain period.
M
Maintenance Maintenance refers to financial support provided by one person to another. Mass Dismissal Mass dismissal refers to the termination of many employees at once. Maternity Protection Maternity protection safeguards expectant mothers from health risks and financial disadvantages. Minijob A Minijob is a type of marginal employment in Germany. Modernization (Rent) Modernization means that a landlord makes improvements to a rental property.
N
Nachversicherung Nachversicherung means remaining insured after a policy ends. Notice Period The notice period is the time you must give before terminating a contract.
O
Objection An objection is a legal remedy to challenge a decision or notice. Objection (Legal Remedy) An objection is a legal tool to challenge decisions made by authorities. Operating Cost Advance Payment An operating cost advance payment is a monthly prepayment for additional costs. Operating Cost Statement The operating cost statement shows the costs incurred for the apartment. Order for Payment Procedure The Order for Payment Procedure is a legal way to collect unpaid debts. Ordinary Termination An ordinary termination ends a contractual relationship while observing notice periods. Overdraft Credit An overdraft credit allows you to withdraw more than you have in your account. Overtime Overtime refers to hours worked beyond the contracted working hours.
P
Parental Allowance Parental allowance provides financial support to parents after the birth of a child. Parental Leave Parental leave is a legal entitlement for parents to care for their children. Passenger Rights Passenger rights are legal claims of travelers in public transport. Payment Default Payment default means failing to make a payment on time. Payment Order A payment order is an official document demanding payment of money. Pension A pension is a regular payment received after retirement from work. Power of Attorney A power of attorney allows one person to act on behalf of another. Probation Period The probation period is a trial phase for new employees.
R
Reasonableness Reasonableness refers to what can reasonably be expected from a person in a given situation. Reclamation A reclamation is a complaint about a defect or faulty service. Regelbedarf Regelbedarf is the amount needed to cover basic living costs. Release Release means being freed from an obligation or responsibility. Reminder A reminder is a request for payment of an outstanding invoice. Rent Index The Rent Index shows the average rents for apartments in a region. Rent Reduction Rent reduction allows tenants to lower their rent if the apartment has defects. Rental Termination Agreement A rental termination agreement ends the tenancy amicably. Reporting Obligation The reporting obligation is the legal requirement to report certain information. Return Debit A return debit is the reversal of a failed direct debit transaction. Right of First Refusal (Rental) The right of first refusal allows tenants to buy a property before it's sold to someone else. Right of Withdrawal The right of withdrawal allows you to cancel a contract within a specific period.
S
SCHUFA SCHUFA is a credit agency that evaluates creditworthiness. Security Deposit Refund The security deposit refund is the return of the deposit after the rental agreement ends. Setting a Deadline Setting a deadline means establishing a specific time frame for an action to be completed. Severance Payment A severance payment is a financial compensation upon termination of employment. Severely Disabled Person’s ID A Severely Disabled Person's ID is proof for individuals with severe disabilities. Short-time work Short-time work is a scheme to reduce working hours during crises. Sick Note A sick note informs the employer about an employee's illness. Sick Pay Sick pay is financial support during prolonged illness. Skonto Skonto is a discount for early payments. Social Plan A social plan outlines support for employees during company changes. Special Termination Right The special termination right allows for extraordinary cancellation under specific conditions. Subletting Subletting means a tenant rents out part of their apartment to someone else. Subsequent Performance Subsequent performance means a seller must fix defects in a product. Subtenant A subtenant is a person who moves into a rental unit after the previous tenant has left.
T
Termination Agreement A termination agreement ends an employment relationship by mutual consent. Termination for Own Use Termination for own use means the landlord needs the apartment for themselves or relatives. Tiered Rent Tiered rent is a rental agreement with predetermined increases. Top-Up (ALG II) Top-Up is financial support for people with low income. Travel Deficiency Travel deficiency refers to issues or shortcomings during a trip.
U
Unemployment Benefits Financial support for unemployed individuals in Germany.
W
Warning Letter A warning letter is a formal request to change a specific behavior. Warranty Warranty protects buyers' rights against defects in products. Withdrawal (Contract) Withdrawal from a contract means canceling your agreement to it. Wohnungsgeberbestätigung The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is an important document for registering your residence.