A payment reminder
Mahnung
What a Mahnung is, how it differs from a Mahnbescheid from the court, and why the difference matters.
From: Companies, insurers, public bodies
What this letter is
A „Mahnung“ is a reminder that someone believes you owe money. It comes from the company or office itself, not from a court.
It usually states the original amount, any added fees („Mahngebühr“), and a date by which they want payment.
The important distinction
A „Mahnung“ is not the same as a „Mahnbescheid“. A Mahnbescheid comes from a court (Amtsgericht), arrives in a yellow envelope, and carries a short legal period for responding. If your letter says Mahnbescheid, treat it as a court matter and get advice quickly.
Confusing the two is common and consequential, because only one of them starts a legal process.
What it usually asks you to do
Pay, or contact the sender about the claim. If you believe the claim is wrong, a Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centre) can look at it with you — including whether it is one of the common letters that look official but are not.
The deadline that applies to you is printed on your own letter — usually near the top or at the end of the section describing what you must do. Look for a date, or a phrase such as „innerhalb von zwei Wochen“ (within two weeks) or „bis zum“ (by). Do not rely on a period you read online, including here: the same letter type carries different deadlines depending on why it was sent.
This explanation was generated by AI and can contain mistakes. The original German letter is the document that counts. For serious matters, get help from a qualified person.