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German lessons · Everyday German phrases · A2

Ich möchte … beantragen: German you can use straight away at the Bürgeramt and Ausländerbehörde

The first places you get to know in Germany are the citizens' office (das Bürgeramt) and the immigration office (die Ausländerbehörde; in some cities it has a different name, such as Landesamt für Einwanderung). When you move, you have to register your address (die Anmeldung), and you need to get or extend your residence permit (der Aufenthaltstitel). Office staff are busy and speak fast. So just knowing how to say what you need in one sentence and how to ask again makes it much less stressful. At the offices, always use Sie.

Booking an appointment and arriving

At most offices you need an appointment (der Termin). Many let you book online, but when you ask by phone or e-mail, these are the phrases to use.

  • Ich möchte einen Termin vereinbaren. — I'd like to make an appointment. The perfect first sentence for a call or an e-mail
  • Gibt es einen früheren Termin? — Is there an earlier appointment? Sometimes a slot frees up when someone cancels
  • Ich habe um zehn Uhr einen Termin. — I have an appointment at ten. The first thing you say at the information desk (die Information)
  • Ziehen Sie bitte eine Nummer. — Please take a number. This is what staff say. When your number (die Wartenummer) and the counter number show up on the screen, go in

Saying what you need at the counter

Say hello and get straight to the point. The key verb is beantragen (to apply for).

  • Guten Tag, ich möchte mich anmelden. — Hello, I'd like to register my address. You have to do this within two weeks of moving
  • Ich möchte meinen Aufenthaltstitel verlängern. — I'd like to extend my residence permit.
  • Ich möchte einen neuen Pass beantragen. — I'd like to apply for a new passport. (This is for a German passport. For other passports, you go to your country's embassy or consulate)
  • Ich habe einen Brief von Ihnen bekommen. — I've received a letter from you. Hand over the letter at the same time, and the staff can check it straight away

Asking about documents and the process

The key word at any office is die Unterlagen (documents, paperwork).

  • Welche Unterlagen brauche ich? — Which documents do I need?
  • Ich habe alle Unterlagen dabei. — I've brought all the documents.
  • Kann ich das Dokument nachreichen? — Can I hand in that document later?
  • Muss ich hier unterschreiben? — Do I have to sign here?
  • Wie lange dauert die Bearbeitung? — How long does processing take?
  • Bekomme ich eine Bestätigung? — Can I get a confirmation? Always keep the paper that shows they've received your application
  • Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen? — Can I pay by card? Some services come with a fee (die Gebühr)

When you didn't understand

The riskiest thing is to say "Ja" when you don't understand. It's fine to ask them to say it again more slowly.

  • Entschuldigung, können Sie das bitte langsamer sagen? — Sorry, could you say that a bit more slowly, please?
  • Was bedeutet „Meldebescheinigung“? — What does 'Meldebescheinigung' (registration certificate) mean? Repeat the word you don't know and ask
  • Können Sie mir das bitte aufschreiben? — Could you write that down for me, please? For names of documents or dates, asking them to write it down is the safest way

Short dialogue

A: Guten Tag. Ich habe um zehn Uhr einen Termin. — Hello. I have an appointment at ten. B: Guten Tag. Worum geht es? — Hello. What can I do for you? A: Ich möchte mich anmelden. Ich bin letzte Woche umgezogen. — I'd like to register my address. I moved last week. B: Haben Sie die Wohnungsgeberbestätigung dabei? — Have you brought the landlord's confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)? A: Ja, hier sind mein Pass und die Bestätigung. — Yes, here are my passport and the confirmation. B: Danke. Bitte unterschreiben Sie hier. — Thank you. Please sign here. A: Bekomme ich eine Meldebescheinigung? — Do I get a registration certificate? B: Ja, die drucke ich Ihnen gleich aus. — Yes, I'll print it out for you right away.

Watch out

  • der Termin isn't a date in the romantic sense, it's an appointment. The doctor's, an office, the hairdresser's: they're all a Termin
  • bekommen doesn't mean become, it means to get, to receive. Ich bekomme einen Brief = I get a letter
  • der Ausweis (ID card) and der Pass (passport) are different things. Foreign nationals usually show their passport
  • Always keep to the Frist (deadline) in a letter from an office. If you can't make it in time, get in touch beforehand and ask Kann ich die Frist verlängern?
  • From December, you'll also be able to register your address online all over Germany. Have a look at the news story too

Quick check

  1. What's your first sentence when you call an office to make an appointment?
AnswerIch möchte einen Termin vereinbaren.
  1. How do you say "I'd like to extend my residence permit" in German?
AnswerIch möchte meinen Aufenthaltstitel verlängern.
  1. You haven't brought all your documents. How do you ask whether you can hand one in later?
AnswerKann ich das Dokument nachreichen? (nachreichen = to hand in later)
ExpressionsA2 Hast du Lust? Making plans, finding a time and cancelling in GermanIn Germany, even a coffee with a friend is often arranged in advance. How to suggest something with Hast du Lust …? and Wie wäre es mit …?, find a time with Passt dir …?, and cancel politely with Ich muss leider absagen.
ExpressionsB1 Genau! Ich sehe das anders: agreeing and disagreeing in GermanGermans say what they think clearly, in meetings and among friends. How to agree with Genau and Da hast du recht, and how to disagree politely with Ich sehe das anders and Das stimmt nicht ganz, for every situation.
ExpressionsA2 Entschuldigung, Tut mir leid, Danke: saying sorry and thank you in GermanBumping into someone on the street and forgetting an appointment call for different apologies. The difference between Entschuldigung and Tut mir leid, and how to answer Danke with Gern geschehen or Kein Problem — German you'll use several times a day.
ExpressionsA2 Ich hätte gern zwei Brötchen: German for the bakery and the marketAt a German bakery you order out loud at the counter. Ordering with Ich hätte gern …, answering Sonst noch etwas? with Das wär's, and paying with Mit Karte, bitte — sentences you can use straight away at the bakery and the weekly market.