Berechtigten

Berechtigten is a German noun form used to denote the people who have a right, claim, or entitlement to something. It is the plural of the term Berechtigter (masculine) or Berechtigte (feminine), with die Berechtigten used as a collective designation for those who possess a given privilege or entitlement. The word stems from Berechtigung, meaning entitlement, authorization, or a justified claim.

The concept is used across legal, administrative, and organizational contexts. The Berechtigten are those who meet defined criteria and therefore may receive benefits, access services, or exercise specific rights. The exact scope and conditions are determined by statutes, contractual terms, regulations, or official guidelines. In practice, determining who counts as a Berechtigten involves verification of identity and documentation, such as proofs of eligibility, income, duration of relationship to a program, or other qualifying factors.

Common contexts include social security and welfare programs, where the Berechtigten receive benefits; inheritance or succession matters, where legal or testamentary heirs are described as Berechtigten; and data protection or human resources, where only Berechtigte Personen are allowed to access certain information or systems. The term is typically used in a neutral, factual manner, avoiding judgment about the entitlement itself and focusing on who possesses the right in question.

Related terms include Berechtigung (the entitlement itself), Berechtigter/Berechtigte (an individual who is entitled), and das Recht (the right). The concept emphasizes the distinction between those who are entitled and those who are not within a given framework.