In brief

Enforcement begins once a judgment is final. The prosecutor’s office is responsible, usually a judicial officer there. Many people think nothing can be done after the judgment. That is not true: instalments, postponement, early release and therapy instead of prison all belong to this stage.

Sentences are only enforced once final (Section 449 StPO). The enforcement authority is the prosecutor’s office (Section 451 StPO), with further detail in the Enforcement Regulations. For fines it sends a demand for payment; for prison sentences without probation, a summons to begin serving in a particular prison, usually within one week.

Fines

Anyone unable to pay at once can apply for instalments (Section 459a StPO). If the fine cannot be recovered, the default prison sentence is enforced. Since 1 February 2024, two daily rates correspond to one day in prison (Section 43 StGB). It can be avoided by community work under Article 293 EGStGB and the rules of the federal states. Anyone summoned to serve a default sentence can still prevent it up to the last moment by paying the remaining amount. Otherwise an enforcement warrant may follow (Section 457 StPO).

Prison sentences

Postponement for up to four months is possible where immediate commencement would cause the convicted person or their family considerable disadvantages beyond the purpose of punishment (Section 456 StPO), for example an imminent change of job or a birth. In cases of serious illness enforcement may be postponed altogether (Section 455 StPO).

After two thirds have been served, the court generally suspends the remainder where this can be justified (Section 57(1) StGB). For first-time prisoners with sentences of up to two years, this is possible after half (Section 57(2) StGB). The competent body is the sentence enforcement chamber of the regional court in whose district the prison lies.

Where offences are rooted in drug addiction, enforcement of a sentence of up to two years can be deferred in favour of therapy (Section 35 BtMG, “therapy instead of punishment”). Time spent in therapy is credited.

General explanation, not advice on an individual case. As of November 2026.