Magistrat / Bezirkshauptmannschaft letter explained in English

City or district authority. Your local authority. In big cities it is the Magistrat, elsewhere the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (BH). It handles many things, for example fines, driving licences and permits.

Letters you may get

• Strafverfügung — a fine, for example for a traffic or parking offence
• Ladung — you must come in person
• Bescheid — a decision, for example about a permit or licence

What to do

• Check which department sent the letter. Its phone number is usually at the top.
• Write the case number (Geschäftszahl or Zahl) on every reply.
• Find the deadline. Look for “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innerhalb”.
• Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
• If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“Beschwerde”, “Vorstellung”, “Einspruch”, “Beschwerde”). See the template.

Words you may see

Bescheid

Official decision. It becomes final if you don’t object in time.

Strafverfügung

Fine from the police or district authority. You can object (Einspruch) within 2 weeks after delivery.

Questions

What is the Magistrat / Bezirkshauptmannschaft?

City or district authority. Your local authority. In big cities it is the Magistrat, elsewhere the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (BH). It handles many things, for example fines, driving licences and permits.

How long do I have to answer a letter from the Magistrat / Bezirkshauptmannschaft?

It depends on the letter. Look for words like “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innerhalb” — they mark the deadline. In Austria, an official letter sent by normal post usually counts as delivered on the 3rd working day after it was posted. A registered letter (RSa or RSb) counts as delivered on the day you get it — or, if you were not home, usually on the first day you can pick it up at the post office. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“Beschwerde”, “Vorstellung”, “Einspruch”, “Beschwerde”).

Can I read a Magistrat / Bezirkshauptmannschaft letter in English?

Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in German. Your letter never leaves your device.

Other offices in Austria

Finanzamt Österreich · Familienbeihilfe (Finanzamt Österreich) · AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice) · MA 35 / Niederlassungsbehörde · Meldeamt / Meldeservice · ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse) · SVS (Sozialversicherung der Selbständigen) · Pensionsversicherungsanstalt (PVA)