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What does Widerspruch mean?

With a Widerspruch, you tell the office: I do not agree with this Bescheid.

der Widerspruch · die Widersprüche (plural)

The office must then check its decision again. It can change or cancel the Bescheid. Otherwise it decides with a Widerspruchsbescheid (a decision on your objection).

There is a deadline for the Widerspruch, usually one month. You find it in the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung at the end of the Bescheid.

The Widerspruch must be in writing. Sign it. A simple e-mail is usually not enough. You can also have it written down at the office.

For tax decisions, fines (Bußgeldbescheid) and usually for Kindergeld, it is not called Widerspruch but Einspruch.

Example sentence

Hiermit lege ich Widerspruch gegen Ihren Bescheid vom 18.09.2026 ein.

I hereby lodge a Widerspruch against your Bescheid of 18.09.2026.

What you can do

Keep proof that your Widerspruch arrived. For example, a copy with the office's receipt stamp or a fax transmission report.

Calculate your deadline

  • Bescheid A Bescheid is a letter in which an office decides something about your case.
  • Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung The Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung is a text at the end of a Bescheid. It explains how you can challenge the decision.
  • Widerspruchsbescheid With the Widerspruchsbescheid, the office decides on your Widerspruch.
  • Einspruch With an Einspruch, you challenge certain decisions, for example from the Finanzamt (tax office) or a Bußgeldbescheid (fine).
  • Frist A Frist is the time within which you must do something, for example reply or file a Widerspruch.
  • Überprüfungsantrag With an Überprüfungsantrag (request for review), you ask an office such as the Jobcenter to check an old Bescheid again.