die
Amtshilfe
🏛️ What does "die Amtshilfe" mean?
Die Amtshilfe refers to the official assistance or mutual support provided between public authorities (Behörden). This happens when one authority cannot perform a task itself (for legal or practical reasons) and requests help from another authority.
Imagine a city administration (Stadtverwaltung) needing specific information from an authority in another state – that's a classic case of Amtshilfe. It's a key principle of administrative cooperation (Verwaltungszusammenarbeit) in Germany.
The legal basis in Germany is primarily found in §§ 4-8 of the Administrative Procedure Act (Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz - VwVfG) or corresponding state regulations and the Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch - SGB X).
⚠️ Important: Amtshilfe isn't a top-down order, but rather cooperation between equals.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Amtshilfe
The word Amtshilfe is a feminine noun. The definite article is die. It is almost exclusively used in the singular because it describes a concept.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Amtshilfe |
| Genitive | der | Amtshilfe |
| Dative | der | Amtshilfe |
| Accusative | die | Amtshilfe |
A plural form ("die Amtshilfen") is grammatically possible but very uncommon. People usually talk about "Amtshilfeersuchen" (requests for assistance) or "Fälle von Amtshilfe" (cases of official assistance).
Example Sentences
- Die Polizei bat um Amtshilfe von der Feuerwehr.
(The police requested official assistance from the fire department.) - Das Finanzamt leistete Amtshilfe für die Zollbehörde.
(The tax office provided official assistance to the customs authority.) - Ohne die Amtshilfe der Nachbargemeinde wäre die Aufgabe nicht zu bewältigen gewesen.
(Without the official assistance from the neighboring municipality, the task would not have been manageable.) - Ein Ersuchen um Amtshilfe muss klar begründet sein.
(A request for official assistance must be clearly justified.)
💬 How is Amtshilfe used?
Amtshilfe is a technical term from German administrative law (Verwaltungsrecht) and is mainly used in official and legal contexts.
- Typical Contexts: Cooperation between different public authorities (e.g., police - Polizei, tax office - Finanzamt, public order office - Ordnungsamt, customs - Zoll), including cross-border cooperation (internationale Amtshilfe).
- Prerequisites: The requesting authority must be competent for the overall task but unable to perform the specific action itself (due to legal or practical reasons). The requested authority must be capable of providing assistance, and there must be no grounds for refusal (e.g., disproportionate effort).
- Distinction: It's important to differentiate Amtshilfe from Rechtshilfe (judicial assistance), which refers to support between courts or public prosecutors' offices, often internationally. Amtshilfe concerns the executive branch (administration).
In everyday conversation, the term is rarely used unless you work for an authority or deal with administrative law.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
For the article "die": Think of "die Hilfe" (the help). Many German nouns ending in "-hilfe" are feminine (like die Nachhilfe - tutoring, die Mithilfe - cooperation, die Selbsthilfe - self-help). So: die Amts-hilfe.
For the meaning: Break down the word: An Amt (office/authority) needs Hilfe (help) from another Amt. Amt + Hilfe = Amtshilfe (official assistance).
🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Behördenhilfe: Very similar, emphasizes the 'authority' aspect.
- Unterstützung (durch Behörden): More general ('support by authorities'), not specifically legalistic.
- Kooperation (zwischen Behörden): Emphasizes 'cooperation', less the 'assistance' aspect.
- Verwaltungszusammenarbeit: Broader term ('administrative cooperation').
Antonyms (Conceptual Opposites):
- Eigenzuständigkeit: The principle that each authority is primarily responsible for its own tasks ('own competence').
- Ablehnung der Amtshilfe: 'Rejection of official assistance' (when conditions aren't met).
- Verweigerung: 'Refusal' (often implying it's unlawful).
Potentially Confusing Words:
- Rechtshilfe: As mentioned above, refers to judicial/prosecutorial assistance.
- Amtspflicht: The general duty of an official to perform their duties correctly ('official duty').
😂 A Little Joke
Eine Behörde fragt die andere: "Könnt ihr uns Amtshilfe leisten? Wir finden unsere Kaffeemaschine nicht mehr!" Antwortet die andere Behörde: "Klar, aber nur, wenn ihr uns im Gegenzug Amtshilfe bei der Suche nach unserem Lächeln leistet!" 😉
Translation: One authority asks another: "Can you provide us with official assistance? We can't find our coffee machine anymore!" The other authority replies: "Sure, but only if you provide us with official assistance in finding our smiles in return!" 😉
📜 A Poem about Amtshilfe
Ein Amt allein, es schafft nicht viel,
braucht Hilfe oft, das ist das Spiel.
Ein anderes Amt springt helfend ein,
die Amtshilfe, fein und klein?
Nein, groß und wichtig, im Gesetz verankert,
damit Verwaltung nicht im Sand versankert.
Von Stadt zu Stadt, von Land zu Bund,
so wird die Staatsräson erst kund.
Translation:
An office alone can't do much,
Often needs help, such is the touch.
Another office jumps in to aid,
Die Amtshilfe, subtly made?
No, large and vital, by law it's bound,
So administration doesn't run aground.
From town to town, from state to Fed,
Thus reasons of state are truly spread.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin kein Geschenk, doch werd' erbeten,
wenn Akten fehlen oder Taten.
Von Amt zu Amt reich ich die Hand,
im deutschen Verwaltungsland.
Wer oder was bin ich?
Translation:
I am not a gift, yet I am requested,
When files are missing or deeds contested.
From office to office, I lend a hand,
In Germany's administrative land.
Who or what am I?
Solution: die Amtshilfe (official assistance)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition
Amtshilfe is a compound noun made up of:
- Das Amt (neuter noun): office, authority, public agency, official function.
- Die Hilfe (feminine noun): help, assistance, aid.
The connecting element "-s-" (called Fugen-s) links the two parts.
International Official Assistance
Amtshilfe doesn't just occur within Germany (innerstaatlich), but also between authorities of different countries (internationale Amtshilfe). This is often governed by bilateral or multilateral agreements, for example, in tax matters (Steuerfragen) or crime fighting (Verbrechensbekämpfung).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Amtshilfe?
The noun "Amtshilfe" is feminine. The correct article is die. It refers to the mutual assistance between public authorities under administrative law and is typically used in the singular.