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📚 Glossary — 220 German official terms explained

220 German official terms — simply explained

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10 terms found
GEZ (Rundfunkbeitrag) (Broadcasting fee)
Broadcasting fee of €18.36 per month per apartment — finances ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio. Every household must pay.
Shortly after registration, the GEZ letter with payment demand arrives.
Daily life
Haftpflichtversicherung (Liability insurance)
Liability insurance that covers damages caused to other people or their property — strongly recommended in Germany.
My liability insurance paid for the damage when I broke my neighbor's vase.
Daily life
Hausratversicherung (Contents insurance)
Insurance for household goods (furniture, electronics, clothing) against fire, burglary, water damage, and storm.
After the break-in, the contents insurance covered the damage.
Daily life
Kindergarten (Kita) (kindergarten)
Childcare facility for children aged 1–6 years — legal right to a place from age 1, costs vary by state.
In Berlin, kindergarten has been free since 2018.
Daily life
Ruhezeit (Rest period)
Gesetzlich oder per Hausordnung festgelegte Zeiten für Nachtruhe (22–6 Uhr) und Mittagsruhe — Lärmbelästigung ist verboten.
In der Ruhezeit darf man nicht bohren oder laut Musik hören.
Daily life
Rundfunkbeitrag (Broadcasting fee)
Monthly contribution of €18.36 per apartment for public broadcasting (ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio).
Every household must pay the broadcasting fee, regardless of whether they watch television.
Daily life
Telefonseelsorge (crisis hotline)
Free, anonymous crisis counseling by telephone (0800 111 0 111 / 0800 111 0 222) — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telefonseelsorge is available at any time and is free of charge.
Daily life
TÜV (TÜV)
Technical Inspection Association — Main inspection (HU) for vehicles every 2 years, also inspections of elevators, playgrounds, etc.
My car needs to go for TÜV inspection this year — the main inspection is due.
Daily life
Verbraucherzentrale (consumer centre)
Non-profit organization advising consumers — help with contracts, complaints, fraud, energy issues.
The Consumer Center helped me get out of an unfair contract.
Daily life
Winterdienst (winter maintenance)
Obligation to clear snow and spread salt on sidewalks — often transferred to tenants by lease agreement.
According to my lease, I am responsible for winter maintenance in front of the house.
Daily life
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