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What does Erstattungsbescheid mean?

With an Erstattungsbescheid (repayment notice), an office asks for money back, for example a benefit you got too much of.

der Erstattungsbescheid · die Erstattungsbescheide (plural)

It often comes together with an Aufhebungsbescheid. That one says why you were not entitled to the money.

Check the amount and the months. If you think the claim is wrong, you can file a Widerspruch. The deadline is in the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung.

If you cannot pay everything at once, ask for a Ratenzahlung (instalments). If you still receive benefits, the office can also take the debt from them (Aufrechnung).

Note: at the Finanzamt, Erstattung means the opposite. There, you get money back.

Example sentence

Sie haben den Betrag von 412,50 € bis zum 30.10.2026 zu erstatten.

You must repay the amount of 412,50 € by 30.10.2026.

What you can do

If you do not understand the calculation, get advice. Keep an eye on the deadline while you do.

Calculate your deadline

  • Aufhebungsbescheid With an Aufhebungsbescheid (cancellation notice), an office withdraws an earlier decision in full or in part.
  • Rückforderung A Rückforderung (claim for repayment) means an office or a company wants back money that you received.
  • Überzahlung An Überzahlung (overpayment) means an office paid you more money than you were entitled to.
  • Ratenzahlung Ratenzahlung (payment in instalments) means you pay a debt in smaller amounts, for example part of it every month.
  • Aufrechnung Aufrechnung (offsetting) means an office keeps part of your benefit to get back money that you owe it.
  • Widerspruch With a Widerspruch, you tell the office: I do not agree with this Bescheid.