Gültig

Gültig is an adjective in German that denotes validity, current effect, or legal force. Something that is gültig is officially accepted for a specific purpose and can be relied upon within its applicable rules. The term is common in administrative, legal, and commercial contexts, for example with official documents (Pass, Ausweis, Führerschein), licenses, certificates, tickets, or contracts. It contrasts with ungültig (invalid) or aufgehoben (revoked). The related noun is Gültigkeit, meaning validity or the state of being in effect, and it is used to refer to the overall status or to the duration of that status.

Common phrases include gültig ab [date] and gültig bis [date], which indicate the start and end of the validity period; related concepts include Gültigkeitsdauer (duration of validity) and Gültigkeitsbereich (scope of validity). In legal and bureaucratic texts these terms help specify under which rules something remains acceptable or enforceable. In everyday language, a voucher, coupon, or ticket is described as gültig, meaning it can be used according to its terms.

In legal contexts, gültig is often complemented by phrases such as rechtlich gültig or rechtsgültig to emphasize legal validity. The opposite form, ungültig, is used when something no longer meets the required conditions, has expired, or was never properly issued. The concept of gültig is thus central to documents, permissions, certifications, and various forms of authorization, indicating that they are currently accepted and effective.