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Ελληνικά📚 Glossary — 220 German official terms explained
220 German official terms — simply explained
22 terms found
SCHUFA (SCHUFA)
Credit protection association — credit rating agency. SCHUFA score affects rental contract, loan, mobile phone contract.
Before viewing an apartment, one should obtain a SCHUFA report.
Finance
SCHUFA-Auskunft (SCHUFA report)
Written information on one's creditworthiness — free once per year (data copy according to Art. 15 GDPR).
The free SCHUFA report can be requested at meineschufa.de.
Finance
Sachbearbeiter (Case officer)
Contact person at a government agency responsible for a specific matter or application.
My case officer at the Jobcenter helped me with my application.
Authorities
Scheidung (Divorce)
Judicial dissolution of a marriage — requires a separation period of one year and a lawyer.
The divorce is granted by the family court only after a one-year separation period.
Law
Scheinselbstständigkeit (false self-employment)
Situation where a self-employed person actually works like an employee — legally problematic, risk of social insurance contribution repayment.
If someone works for only a single client, there is a risk of being classified as falsely self-employed.
Work
Schulpflicht (compulsory education)
Legal obligation to attend school — in most federal states 9–10 years of full-time compulsory education from age 6.
In Germany, school attendance is mandatory even for children of refugees.
Education
Schwerbehindertenausweis (severe disability ID)
Certificate for people with a disability level (GdB) of 50 or higher — grants disability compensation (tax, dismissal protection, free transport).
With a severely disabled person's certificate, you get additional vacation and dismissal protection.
Health
Selbstauskunft (Self-disclosure)
Questionnaire for prospective tenants with information about income, employer, and rental history — required by the landlord.
During the apartment viewing, I had to fill out a self-disclosure form.
Housing
Solidaritätszuschlag (Solidarity surcharge)
Supplementary tax on income — since 2021 only for higher earners (from approx. €62,000 annual income).
The solidarity surcharge was abolished for 90% of taxpayers.
Finance
Sorgerecht (Custody)
The right and obligation of parents to care for the child's welfare — personal custody and property custody.
For unmarried parents, the mother initially has sole custody.
Law
Sozialgericht (social court)
Court for disputes in social law — citizen benefit, pension, health insurance. Proceedings are free of charge.
I filed a lawsuit at the social court against the rejection of my citizen benefit application.
Law
Sozialversicherung (Social insurance)
System comprising 5 mandatory insurances: health, long-term care, pension, unemployment, and accident insurance.
Social insurance contributions are deducted from gross salary.
Finance
Sozialversicherungsnummer (Social insurance number)
12-digit number of the pension insurance — assigned at first employment and valid for life.
The social insurance number is shown on the social insurance card.
Finance
Sparbrief (Savings bond)
Fixed-interest savings investment with a bank with a fixed term — secure but inflexible.
I invested €10,000 in a savings certificate with 3% interest for 2 years.
Finance
Sparerpauschbetrag (Savings allowance)
Annual exemption limit for investment income — €1,000 for individuals, €2,000 for married couples. No capital gains tax up to this amount.
One should set up a tax exemption order with the bank for the saver's allowance.
Finance
Sperrfrist (Lock-in period)
Period during which unemployment benefits are not paid — e.g., after voluntary resignation or severance agreement (up to 12 weeks).
Anyone who quits voluntarily receives a 3-month waiting period for unemployment benefits.
Work
Standesamt (Registry office)
Civil registry office — responsible for marriages, birth certificates, and death certificates.
The civil marriage ceremony takes place in the town hall.
Authorities
Steuer-ID (Tax ID)
Tax identification number — 11-digit, valid for life, automatically sent by mail after registration.
The tax ID is needed for tax returns and the employer.
Finance
Steuerberater (Tax advisor)
Licensed advisor who assists with tax returns and represents clients before the tax office.
A tax advisor is especially worthwhile for self-employed individuals with complex tax situations.
Finance
Steuerklasse (Tax class)
Classification into one of 6 income tax classes — determines the amount of monthly income tax withheld.
As an unmarried employee, I am classified in tax class I.
Finance
Steuernummer (Tax number)
Number assigned by the tax office for tax returns — not identical to the tax ID.
The tax number changes when moving to a different tax office district.
Finance
Studienkolleg (Studienkolleg)
Preparatory course for international students whose school diploma does not directly qualify them for university studies in Germany.
At the Studienkolleg I studied mathematics, physics, and German for 2 semesters.
Education