Erlaubnis

Erlaubnis is a German noun meaning permission or approval granted by an authority or another person to do something that would otherwise be restricted. It denotes both informal consent and formal authorization and is used in everyday language as well as in legal and administrative contexts.

In everyday usage, Erlaubnis refers to consent to act given by someone in a position of trust or authority, for example, a parent, teacher, or employer. Phrases like “Ich habe die Erlaubnis, das zu tun” are common. The term also appears in fixed compound forms such as Aufenhaltserlaubnis (residence permit) and Arbeitserlaubnis (work permit). More broadly, Erlaubnis covers various kinds of approvals that allow activities subject to rules or restrictions.

In legal and administrative language, Erlaubnis often contrasts with other terms such as Genehmigung and Zustimmung. Genehmigung is typically a formal license or authorization issued by an authority or institution, sometimes implying a procedural requirement. Zustimmung refers to consent or agreement from another party, which may be a prerequisite but does not always carry an official license. The phrase “ohne Erlaubnis” denotes an action taken without permission and is generally unlawful or prohibited.

Etymology and usage notes: the noun derives from the verb erlauben, with the nominalizing suffix -nis. The concept is central to regulatory regimes, including permits related to residence, employment, or access, as well as to everyday negotiations of permission within families and organizations.