Sending an Objection by Post: Deadline, Form, Proof

A decision from an authority, health insurer or tax office looks wrong? Then one thing matters most: your objection must arrive on time and in the right form. Here is how to play it safe by post.

Widerspruch or Einspruch?

Against decisions by authorities, the job centre, health insurers or the pension fund you file a Widerspruch. Against tax assessments and fine notices the remedy is called Einspruch. Which applies is stated in the instructions on legal remedies (Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung) at the end of the notice — along with the deadline and address.

The deadline: usually one month

Objections to administrative decisions generally have one month from notification (§ 70 VwGO, § 84 SGG); objections to tax assessments also one month (§ 355 AO). For fine notices it is only two weeks (§ 67 OWiG).

What counts is notification: since 2025 a notice sent by post is deemed notified on the fourth day after posting (previously three), e.g. under § 41 VwVfG and § 122 AO. The one-month period runs from then. If the instructions on legal remedies are missing or wrong, the period often extends to one year.

Notice and signed objection on a desk, the deadline is circled in red on the calendar — The deadline starts with notification. Enter the end date in your calendar right away and allow several days for postal transit.

Receipt matters, not dispatch

Unlike a consumer withdrawal, sending an objection on time is not enough: it must reach the authority before the deadline. Allow for postal transit and send it a week early. A registered letter with delivery to the letterbox (Einwurf-Einschreiben) records delivery; details in Using registered mail correctly.

Form: in writing and signed

The objection must be filed in writing or recorded in person at the authority. A plain email is not enough in many procedures; a signed letter is the safest route. To meet the deadline you usually don't have to give reasons straight away — they can follow later.

Structure of an objection letter with sender, recipient, reference number, subject, statement, reasons and signature — Put the reference number and date of the notice in the subject line so the authority can match your objection immediately.

What the objection must contain

Your name, address and — if available — customer or tax number
The authority and address from the instructions on legal remedies
A subject line with reference number and date of the notice
The clear sentence: "I hereby object to the decision dated …"
Reasons, or a note that they will follow
Place, date and your handwritten signature

Templates and sending

Ready-made templates cover common cases: objection to a tax assessment, objection to a fine notice and objection to a denied insurance claim. Fill in the template in your browser and have it printed and posted. If the letter didn't arrive, see Letter not arrived? What to do now.

This overview is not legal advice. The deadline and address in your own instructions on legal remedies are decisive.