You missed a deadline — what you can still do

The most important thing after a missed deadline is to act fast. The legal remedy for missed deadlines (Wiedereinsetzung, see below) usually has its own short window — often only two weeks — that starts as soon as the obstacle that kept you from acting (a trip, an illness, not knowing about the letter) has ended. The longer you wait, the harder your position becomes.

Do not ignore the letter because the date has passed. Keep the envelope if you still have it (the postmark can matter), and write down when and how you found out about it.

Not every "Frist" is the same, and what you can do depends on the type:

Two things that often help: check the legal-remedy notice (Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung), usually at the end of the letter — it states the deadline and how to object. If that notice is missing or wrong, the deadline is generally extended to one year, which may mean you are not too late at all. Also note that letters sent by post are usually deemed received a few days after the date printed on them (currently the fourth day for posted mail), so your deadline may run from slightly later than you think.

Letters from a private company, landlord, or insurer follow private (contract) law, not the public-authority rules below — there is no Wiedereinsetzung, but the "deadline" is often just a request you can still respond to or negotiate. When money or a contract is at stake, get advice.

If you missed an appeal/objection deadline (Einspruch or Widerspruch) against an authority's decision, German law lets you ask for "Wiedereinsetzung in den vorigen Stand": the deadline is effectively reopened if you were prevented from meeting it through no fault of your own.

What "no fault" generally means: something outside your control stopped you — for example a sudden serious illness, a hospital stay, or a deadline notice that was missing or wrong. A short, unforeseeable absence can count. But being away on a foreseeable trip without arranging for your post to be handled, or simply forgetting, is usually treated as your own fault, and then Wiedereinsetzung is not granted. Whether your reason qualifies is a judgement call — this is exactly the kind of question to put to a qualified adviser.

How it generally works: you apply for Wiedereinsetzung and, at the same time, do the thing you missed — i.e. file the Einspruch or Widerspruch now — explaining in writing why you couldn't do it on time and offering proof (a doctor's note, travel documents). The application must be made quickly after the obstacle ends: as a rule within two weeks (one month for tax matters), and generally no later than one year after the original deadline. The exact deadline and form depend on the type of letter — see the step for your kind of letter below.

For a tax decision (Steuerbescheid) or other Finanzamt decision, the objection is called an Einspruch and the normal deadline is one month after the decision is deemed received (§ 355 AO).

If you missed it, Wiedereinsetzung for tax matters is governed by § 110 AO: you apply within one month after the obstacle ends and file the Einspruch at the same time, explaining and proving why you were prevented. A missed tax payment date is different — that is a Zahlungsfrist (see the payment step), where late fees can apply but you can usually still pay or arrange instalments. For help, a Steuerberater or a wage-tax-help association (Lohnsteuerhilfeverein) can assess your case.

For decisions from social authorities — Jobcenter, Sozialamt, Familienkasse, Krankenkasse, or Deutsche Rentenversicherung — the objection is a Widerspruch, normally due within one month of receiving the decision (§ 84 SGG). If the decision had no legal-remedy notice or a wrong one, that window is generally one year.

If you missed the deadline, Wiedereinsetzung is governed by § 27 SGB X: explain in writing why you were unintentionally prevented (for example illness or a wrong notice), apply within two weeks after the obstacle ends, and file the Widerspruch at the same time. Free or low-cost help is available from social-advice associations such as VdK or SoVD, and from independent social-counselling services.

For most other public-authority decisions (a Verwaltungsakt from, e.g., the Bürgeramt, Ausländerbehörde, vehicle-registration office, or the Rundfunk-Beitragsservice), the objection is usually a Widerspruch, generally due within one month of receiving the decision. A missing or wrong legal-remedy notice generally extends that to one year.

If you missed it, Wiedereinsetzung is governed by § 32 VwVfG (and § 60 VwGO once a matter is before the administrative courts): apply within two weeks after the obstacle ends, file the objection at the same time, and make your reason credible with proof. Residence-permit (Aufenthaltstitel) matters are time-critical and have their own rules — speak to the Ausländerbehörde or an immigration lawyer without delay.

A fine notice (Bußgeldbescheid) has a short objection deadline: an Einspruch must reach the authority within two weeks of the notice being served (§ 67 OWiG). If that passes, the notice normally becomes final and enforceable.

Wiedereinsetzung is possible if you were without fault prevented from objecting in time (for example you were demonstrably away when it was delivered): you apply within one week, file the Einspruch at the same time, and provide proof. Because these deadlines are very short and the consequences (points, driving bans, enforcement) can be serious, getting quick legal advice is especially worthwhile here.

Court documents move fast and carry real enforcement risk, so treat them as urgent. Against a court order for payment (Mahnbescheid) you can lodge an objection (Widerspruch) within two weeks of service; against the follow-up enforcement order (Vollstreckungsbescheid) you can lodge an Einspruch within two weeks (§§ 692, 700, 339 ZPO). A Vollstreckungsbescheid can be enforced even while your Einspruch is being dealt with.

If you missed one of these deadlines, Wiedereinsetzung in the civil courts is governed by § 233 ZPO and the windows are short. Do not wait: a Rechtsanwalt (and, if your income is low, Beratungshilfe and Prozesskostenhilfe) can act quickly to protect you from enforcement.

If the date you missed was a payment due date (a Zahlungsfrist), you have not lost a legal right — Wiedereinsetzung does not apply, because there is nothing to appeal. What can happen is that late-payment surcharges (Säumniszuschläge) or reminder fees (Mahngebühren) are added.

The practical steps are usually: pay the amount as soon as you can, and if you cannot pay it all at once, contact the authority or company and ask about deferral (Stundung) or paying in instalments (Ratenzahlung) — many will agree if you ask early. If you dispute that you owe the money at all, that is a different question (an objection against the underlying decision), so check which kind of letter it really is.