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Ελληνικά📚 Glossary — 220 German official terms explained
220 German official terms — simply explained
23 terms found
Abfindung (severance payment)
One-time payment by the employer upon termination of employment — no legal entitlement, often agreed in a severance agreement.
Upon dismissal, I was offered a severance package of 3 months' salary.
Work
Abgeltungsteuer (Capital gains tax)
Flat tax of 25% on capital income such as interest, dividends, and capital gains.
The bank automatically transfers the capital gains tax to the tax office.
Finance
Abmeldung (Deregistration)
Deregistration of residence from the registration office, e.g. when moving abroad.
Before moving to Poland, I had to deregister at the registration office.
Authorities
Altersteilzeit (Phased retirement)
A model for gradually reducing working hours before retirement.
From age 55, you can request part-time work for older employees at many employers.
Work
Amtsgericht (District court)
Court of first instance for civil cases up to €5,000 and criminal cases of minor severity.
The district court decided on the rental dispute.
Law
Anerkennung (ausländischer Abschlüsse) (recognition of qualifications)
Procedure to verify whether a foreign professional qualification is equivalent to a German one — responsible bodies: IHK, Chamber of Crafts or ZAB.
The recognition of my Polish nursing degree took 4 months.
Education
Anmeldung (Registration)
Mandatory registration of residence with the registration office within 14 days of moving in.
Without registration, you cannot open a bank account in Germany.
Authorities
Anwalt (Rechtsanwalt) (lawyer)
Qualified lawyer who provides legal advice to clients and represents them in court.
For the rent dispute, I hired a lawyer.
Law
Apostille (apostille)
International certification of authenticity of public documents — confirms authenticity for use abroad.
I needed an apostille on my diploma certificate for its recognition abroad.
Authorities
Arbeitnehmersparzulage (employee savings allowance)
State subsidy for low-income employees who save through tax-advantaged investment plans.
With the Arbeitnehmersparzulage, I receive a 20% subsidy on my VL contributions.
Finance
Arbeitsagentur (Employment agency)
Federal Employment Agency — responsible for job placement, career counseling, and unemployment benefits I.
I registered with the employment agency as a job seeker.
Work
Arbeitsgenehmigung (Work permit)
Permission to work in Germany, often tied to the residence permit.
My residence permit includes work authorization for any type of employment.
Work
Arbeitslosengeld (Unemployment benefit)
Unemployment insurance benefit (ALG I) for persons who have been insured for at least 12 months.
After being terminated, I applied for unemployment benefits I.
Work
Arbeitsvertrag (Employment contract)
Written agreement between employer and employee covering tasks, salary, working hours, and notice periods.
Read the employment contract carefully before signing.
Work
Arbeitszeugnis (work certificate)
Written reference from the employer at the end of employment — entitlement to it is legally guaranteed.
In Germany, every employee has the right to a qualified employment reference.
Work
Aufenthaltserlaubnis (Residence permit)
A temporary residence permit issued for a specific purpose (e.g., studies, work, family).
My residence permit for study purposes is valid for two years.
Authorities
Aufenthaltsgestattung (residence permit)
Residence document for asylum seekers during ongoing asylum proceedings — not a residence title in the proper sense.
With Aufenthaltsgestattung, one is allowed to work after 9 months.
Authorities
Aufenthaltstitel (Residence title)
Umbrella term for all permits to reside in Germany (visa, residence permit, settlement permit, EU Blue Card).
Without a valid residence permit, one is not allowed to stay in Germany.
Authorities
Aufhebungsvertrag (termination agreement)
Mutual agreement to terminate an employment relationship — Warning: can trigger a waiting period for unemployment benefits.
The severance agreement included a severance payment and a good employment reference.
Work
Ausbildung (vocational training)
Dual vocational training — combination of practical work in a company and theory in vocational school (2–3.5 years).
Apprenticeship as a mechatronics technician lasts 3.5 years.
Education
Ausländerbehörde (Immigration office)
Authority responsible for foreign residence matters (residence permits, extensions, deportations).
I need to go to the immigration office to extend my residence permit.
Authorities
Ausländerzentralregister (AZR) (Foreign Central Register)
Central database of the BAMF containing information about all foreigners living in Germany.
Data from the Central Register of Foreigners are checked during visa verification.
Authorities
Ausweis (ID card)
Official identity document — ID card for Germans, residence permit card for foreigners.
During a police check, you must present your ID.
Authorities