Verwaltungsbereich

Verwaltungsbereich is a term used in German-speaking public administration and organizational contexts to denote the sphere of administration responsible for implementing laws, regulating conduct, and delivering public services. It distinguishes the executive and regulatory activities of authorities from the policy-making political sphere and from the private sector.

Typically, der Verwaltungsbereich includes government ministries, state and local authorities, and their subordinate agencies, as well as civil servants and employees who carry out tasks such as issuing permits, conducting inspections, collecting taxes, administering social benefits, and managing public procurement.

Actions by actors in the Verwaltungsbereich are governed by administrative law and are characterized by formal decision-making processes, the requirement of legality, proportionality, and due process, and by the possibility of administrative appeals and judicial review.

Examples include municipal administration issuing building permits, state tax offices, and federal agencies implementing national laws. In organizational contexts, a company or institution may also refer to the Verwaltungsbereich as its administrative department responsible for tasks such as budgeting, personnel, and facilities.

Etymology: Verwaltung means administration; Bereich means area or sector. The term is used in German-speaking countries to describe the field of public administration; its exact scope depends on context and country and can overlap with terms like public administration, government administration, or civil service.

See also: Public administration; Administrative law; Civil service; Government agencies; Local government.