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Ελληνικά📚 Glossary — 220 German official terms explained
220 German official terms — simply explained
10 terms found
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
Vermieter (landlord)
Owner or property management that offers an apartment or house for rent.
My landlord increased the rent by 5%.
Housing
Vermögenswirksame Leistungen (VL) (capital formation benefits)
Employer contribution (up to €40 per month) that flows into a savings contract — state subsidy possible.
My employer pays €26 in VL into my savings contract.
Finance
Versicherungspflichtgrenze (insurance threshold)
Income threshold (2024: €69,300 gross/year) above which one can opt for private health insurance.
Only when my salary exceeds the insurance threshold can I switch to private health insurance.
Health
Verspätungszuschlag (late fee)
Penalty fee from the tax office for late submission of tax returns — minimum €25 per month.
Because I submitted my tax return 4 months late, I had to pay €100 as a late filing fee.
Finance
Visum (visa)
Entry permit — to be applied for at the German embassy in your home country, various types (Schengen, national visa).
For studying in Germany, I needed a national type D visa.
Authorities
Volkshochschule (VHS) (adult education centre)
Municipal educational institution with affordable courses — German language courses, integration courses, vocational training, hobby courses.
At the Volkshochschule, I took a B2 German course for just 200 €.
Education
Vollmacht (power of attorney)
Written authorization of a person to carry out legal transactions in their own name or handle administrative matters.
With a power of attorney, my friend can pick up my package at the post office.
Law
Vorläufiger Rechtsschutz (interim injunction)
Emergency proceedings before court for temporary settlement — e.g., application to stop deportation or dismissal.
With an application for preliminary injunction, the deportation was stopped.
Law
Vorsorgevollmacht (advance directive)
A provision for the case when one is no longer able to make decisions — health, finances, authorities.
With a power of attorney for care, you determine who makes decisions in an emergency.
Law