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What does Frist mean?

A Frist is the time within which you must do something, for example reply or file a Widerspruch.

die Frist · die Fristen (plural)

Some deadlines are set by law, for example one month for a Widerspruch. Others are set by the office itself, for example for documents.

A deadline set by law usually starts with the Bekanntgabe or the Zustellung. If it ends on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, it usually ends on the next working day.

If the office itself gives a date, keep exactly that date, even if it falls on a weekend.

Your answer must reach the office or court by the last day of the deadline. Sending it on the last day is not enough.

Example sentence

Bitte beachten Sie die Frist: Ihre Antwort muss bis zum 12.10.2026 bei uns eingehen.

Please note the Frist: your answer must reach us by 12.10.2026.

What you can do

Put the end of the deadline in your calendar. Send your answer a few days early.

Calculate your deadline

  • Bekanntgabe Bekanntgabe (notification) means: a Bescheid counts as having reached you. The deadline usually counts from this day.
  • Zustellung Zustellung means: an office or court delivers a letter to you in a way it can prove later.
  • Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung The Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung is a text at the end of a Bescheid. It explains how you can challenge the decision.
  • Widerspruch With a Widerspruch, you tell the office: I do not agree with this Bescheid.
  • Einspruch With an Einspruch, you challenge certain decisions, for example from the Finanzamt (tax office) or a Bußgeldbescheid (fine).