I received an official letter in Germany — what should I do?

Don't ignore it. Take a photo of the letter and get it explained in your language: what it is, whether there's a deadline, and what to do next. Most letters are routine, but some (fines, court letters, debt collection) have strict deadlines.

Do I need to speak German to understand my letter?

No. Clario explains German official letters in your own language (around 18 languages), including the meaning, the deadline and the recommended next steps.

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Got an official letter in Germany? Here's what to do

Q: Is this German debt collection letter a scam?

Maybe. Warning signs include a claim you don't recognise, a foreign IBAN, extreme time pressure, threats of immediate seizure, no original invoice, and unusual payment methods. If several apply, it is likely a scam — don't pay before checking.

German bureaucratic letters look intimidating — dense "Amtsdeutsch", official stamps, scary deadlines. Don't panic. Most are routine, and you can understand any of them in seconds, in your own language.

Don't understand your letter? Not sure if it's even real?

📷 Photograph your letter — explained in your language

Not stored · ~18 languages · scam check included

The most common German letters — and what they mean

Mahnung — a payment reminder. Usually a 1–2 week deadline set by the sender.
Mahnbescheid (a yellow envelope from the court) — a formal court order in the debt process. You have 2 weeks to object.
Bußgeldbescheid — a fine (often traffic). 2 weeks to appeal.
Finanzamt — the tax office (a tax assessment, a reminder, or a payment request).
Jobcenter / Bürgergeld — benefits decisions; some demand repayment, usually with a 1-month objection period.
Rundfunkbeitrag — the mandatory public broadcasting fee.

How to tell if a letter is a scam

Fake debt-collection and "fine" letters are common in Germany. Be suspicious if you see:

a claim you don't recognise,
a foreign IBAN for payment,
extreme urgency or threats of immediate seizure,
no original invoice or unclear sender,
unusual payment methods (vouchers, crypto).

⚠️ If several of these apply, don't pay. Check the letter first and, if needed, report it to the Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centre).

The golden rule: never ignore an official letter

Even if you don't understand it, ignoring a German official letter is the worst option — deadlines pass, costs rise, and fines become final. Find out what it says and whether a deadline is running. That takes 30 seconds.

Get your specific letter explained — meaning, deadline, next steps.

📷 Upload your letter now

Frequently asked questions

I received an official letter — what should I do?

Don't ignore it. Photograph it and get it explained: what it is, the deadline, and what to do next.

Is this German debt collection letter a scam?

Possibly. Look for an unknown claim, foreign IBAN, extreme pressure, threats, no invoice, odd payment methods. Several signs = likely scam. Don't pay before checking.

Do I need to speak German?

No. Clario explains the letter in your own language — meaning, deadline and next steps.

Clario is a comprehension tool and does not replace legal or tax advice. For disputes, contact a consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) or a lawyer.