Understanding a Notice (Bescheid): What Did the Authority Decide?
A notice (Bescheid) is a binding decision in your case. It is usually built the same way: decision, calculation, reasons, notice of legal remedies (Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung). If you can find these four parts, you can understand almost any notice.
Last reviewed: October 9, 2026
Machine-translated from German using AI. Only the German version is authoritative.
General information, not legal advice. Only the law, official sources and your specific letter are binding.
In short
A notice (Bescheid) is a decision by an authority about your specific case, for example about money, an application, or a repayment demand. It takes effect once it has been announced to you (Bekanntgabe). At the very end, the notice of legal remedies (Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung) tells you whether you can challenge it and by when. If you let the deadline pass, the decision usually becomes final.
How to recognize it?
The word “Bescheid” in the title and a notice of legal remedies at the end.
When does it apply?
From the announcement (Bekanntgabe), for ordinary mail usually on the fourth day after it was posted.
Most important part?
The decision at the top and the reasons.
Fighting it?
Usually an objection (Widerspruch) or an appeal (Einspruch) within one month.
How do you recognize a notice (Bescheid)?
A notice settles something for you in a binding way. Lawyers call this an administrative act (Verwaltungsakt). Typical examples are approval notices, tax notices, repayment demands, or assessments. An information letter, a reminder, or a hearing letter (Anhörung) is not yet a notice.
- The title often says Bescheid, assessment (Festsetzung), or decision (Entscheidung).
- Something is approved, rejected, set, or demanded back.
- At the end there is a notice of legal remedies (Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung).
The four parts of a notice
- 1Decision (Tenor): What was decided? Often in bold or right at the top.
- 2Calculation: Amounts, periods, income that was counted. Most mistakes happen here.
- 3Reasons: Why did the authority decide this way? A written notice usually has to give reasons.
- 4Notice of legal remedies (Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung): How, where, and by when you can challenge it.
When does the notice apply?
A notice takes effect when it has been announced to you. For an ordinary letter, many authorities treat it as announced on the fourth day after it was posted, even if it arrives earlier. If it arrives later, the later day counts. The deadline for an objection (Widerspruch) or appeal (Einspruch) starts running from the announcement.
How to check a notice
- 1Is your information correct? Name, file number, period.
- 2Are the numbers correct? Compare them with payslips, your rental contract, and earlier notices.
- 3Do the reasons fit your case? Was the information you gave taken into account?
- 4By when can you respond? Write down the deadline from the notice of legal remedies.
Frequently asked questions
Is every letter from an office a notice?
No. Information letters, reminders, requests for documents, and hearing letters (Anhörung) are usually not notices. A hearing letter often only announces a notice.
What happens if I do nothing?
Then the notice usually becomes final (bestandskräftig) once the deadline has passed. After that, a change is only possible in exceptional cases.
Can a notice be wrong?
Yes. Authorities also calculate with wrong or outdated numbers. That is why checking is worthwhile, especially amounts and periods.
Official resources
Got a letter like this in front of you?
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- 1.§ 35 Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz: Begriff des Verwaltungsaktes · Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz
- 2.§ 37 Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz: Bestimmtheit und Form · Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz
- 3.§ 39 Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz: Begründung · Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz
- 4.§ 41 Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz: Bekanntgabe des Verwaltungsaktes · Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz
- 5.§ 70 Verwaltungsgerichtsordnung: Widerspruchsfrist · Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz
- 6.§ 84 Sozialgerichtsgesetz: Widerspruchsfrist · Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz
Read on
Understanding the Notice of Legal Remedies (Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung)
What the notice of legal remedies (Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung) at the end of a notice (Bescheid) says, how to read the deadline, form, and office from it, and what applies if it is missing.
Filing an Objection (Widerspruch)
How to file an objection (Widerspruch) against a notice (Bescheid): what to include, how to make sure it arrives in time, and what happens afterwards. With a template you can adapt.
Understanding Official Mail
How to figure out what an official letter is about, whether you need to respond, and where to find deadlines or official contact information.
General information, not legal advice. Only the law, official sources and your specific letter are binding.