What is a Mahnung?
Payment reminder.
A formal reminder that a bill is overdue — and the clock is ticking.
Definition
A Mahnung is a written demand for payment of an overdue bill, fee, tax, or fine. Under German law (§ 286 BGB), a Mahnung is the formal step that puts you in default (Verzug), enabling the sender to charge interest and late fees.
Who sends it
Almost any authority, utility, or business can send a Mahnung: Finanzamt, Rundfunkbeitrag, Krankenkasse, Bürgeramt (for a late Anmeldung fine), landlords, telecom providers, or private companies.
What it’s asking for
Payment of the original amount plus any Säumniszuschlag (late fee), usually within 7 to 14 days. Some Mahnungen also demand that you confirm receipt in writing.
Your deadline
How to respond
- Pay the amount listed, citing the reference number (Aktenzeichen or Kundennummer).
- If you dispute the amount, write a letter objecting within the deadline and explaining why.
- Save proof of payment (bank statement or transfer confirmation).
- If the claim is unknown or appears fraudulent, do not pay — check with the sender first.
If you ignore it
A missed Mahnung triggers the Gerichtliches Mahnverfahren. A court issues a Mahnbescheid; if you don’t object within two weeks, it becomes a Vollstreckungsbescheid — an enforceable title allowing the bailiff to collect.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Mahnung the same as a Mahnbescheid?
No. A Mahnung is a private demand sent directly from the creditor. A Mahnbescheid is an official court order that follows if the Mahnung is ignored. You can still object to a Mahnbescheid within two weeks of delivery.
Can I negotiate a payment plan after a Mahnung?
Yes. Most authorities and creditors accept Ratenzahlung (installments) if you write and request them. State the amount you can afford per month and propose a start date.
What is a Säumniszuschlag?
A Säumniszuschlag is a late fee. For the Finanzamt, it is 1% of the overdue amount per month (§ 240 AO). Private creditors typically charge 5%+ above the base rate as interest.
Does Aplet explain who sent the Mahnung?
Yes. Aplet identifies the sender — government authority, utility, or private company — the amount, the deadline, and the exact next step.
Can I ignore a Mahnung if the amount is wrong?
No. Never ignore it. Write to the sender within the deadline, dispute the amount, and request correction. Silence counts as acknowledgement in German civil law.
Related letters
Get yours explained in 60 seconds
Aplet reads German Amtsdeutsch — the dense, formal bureaucratic register — and returns a plain-English summary with the sender, meaning, required action, deadline, and consequences of inaction.