Hagen is the head of the office responsible for approving building applications in the local building authority. Although he claims to have approved "several dozen" applications, most of them were either under the instructions of higher authorities or for personal gain. In order to avoid work, Hagen tended to reject the majority of the applications. His dismissive attitude towards the applicants often leads to conflicts with Nadia. Hagen is known for his quick temper, egotism, narcissism, and narrow-mindedness. Ironically, he is also dominated by his controlling wife, which contributes to his unhappiness in their marriage. The only thing Hagen finds worse than his working day is the end of the day when he has to return home, especially if his mother-in-law is present. His loyal companion and best friend is his dog Rex. Hagen is consistently overshadowed by Stüsser's enthusiasm for motorhomes. Finally, in the last episode, Hagen assumes Stüsser's position after he is fired for a major mistake.
Ulla serves as Hagen's secretary and plays a vital role in maintaining the office's smooth functioning. Her responsibilities primarily include preparing coffee, making sandwiches, and handling various tasks assigned by Hagen (mostly personal rather than professional matters). Ulla, who values her appearance highly, often engages in flirting, leading to occasional romantic encounters. However, towards the end of the seventh season, she unexpectedly develops genuine feelings for Silvia Meier's father, who recently joined as a secretary, and the two form a romantic relationship.
Rüdiger, is a seemingly ordinary candidate within Hagen's office. Under the self-proclaimed nomen "sexy Rüdi," he frequently arrives at work with a hangover, resulting from a night of partying or a recent romantic conquest. Despite his attempts at flirtation, his colleagues dismiss his tired pick-up lines without denting his self-assured womanizer persona. His colleague, Nadia, views him as a lazy and sexist individual. Rüdiger's innocence often leads him to become the scapegoat, especially from Hagen, for problems he may have contributed to. During the fourth season, Rüdiger spends time in Africa, leaving his position to be temporarily filled by Hans-Günther Timpel. In the final episode, Rüdiger discovers the secret to capturing the attention of Stüsser's secretary, Silvia Meier, causing her to eventually develop feelings for him.
Schäfer joins the Krause office as a candidate for office at the start of the series. She is highly driven and determined to restructure the office to be more user-friendly. With a background in applied sciences, Nadia is also actively involved in women's rights, veganism, peace activism, opposition to nuclear power, and has founded multiple citizens' initiatives. She passionately defends these beliefs both at work and during demonstrations. Her efforts to promote healthy eating in the office are met with resistance from colleagues. Her disapproval of Hagen's treatment of applicants pales in comparison to her deep disdain for Kimmel. As the series progresses, Nadia is hired permanently and becomes a civil servant.
Stüsser holds the title of administrative director within the office and a member of the Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU). He is therefore the head of the building authority, which he takes every opportunity to emphasise by repeatedly acknowledging his rank as grade A 14. He is the direct superior to Hagen, who considers him to be incompetent. Stüsser, in retaliation, always manages to find fault with Hagen. He continually strives to make a favourable impression on influential individuals, often prioritising this over his own work and team members. Stüsser is father to one daughter, and has a strong interest in motorhomes. In his youth, he displayed talent as a goalkeeper and was selected to play for the football team. His accomplishment of earning a doctorate in economics is also a source of pride for Stüsser, to the extent that he insists on being called 'Doctor' even when dressed as Father Christmas at official Christmas parties.
Assistant to Stüsser, employing tactics of flattery to advance his own career. Kimmel frequently clashes with Hagen, engaging in a competitive dynamic where they each strive to shame the other in front of their superiors. Hagen's disdain is particularly intensified by Kimmel's unwavering support for Bayern Munich, a German football club. Despite Kimmel's longstanding interest in his coworker Nadia, she consistently rejects his persistent advances.
As the office boy, Lünebach has access to all office processes, which gives him a degree of influence over the characters and the operations. He is well remunerated for information and favours - especially by Hagen. Lünebach is known to personally profit from the predicaments of his colleagues lives and always comes out the laughing stock.
Over the course of the series, Hemmer becomes the mayor - using her role to publicise the town and advance her career. Her character skilfully plays the employees of the building authority off against each other. As a woman and social democrat, she is not taken seriously by either Stüsser or Hagen. Her predecessors in the mayoral office (including Lutz Herkenrath as Mayor Dr Behr) also make sporadic guest appearances.
Timpel takes over Rüdiger's role during his trip to Africa, in season 4. Lünebach assists Timpel in gaining his position through forged certificates, which suggest Timpel is a genius. Unfortunately, Timpel's clumsiness is noticed by his office peers. Timpel was initially supposed to work for Kimmel, but with Lünebach's help, he was quickly transferred. Timpel views Hagen as a role model and he attempts to emulate him. Romantically, Timel begins the season with a possessive girlfriend called Babsi. Their relationship comes to an end at the conclusion of the fourth season when Babsi raises her suspicions of Timpel have an affair with Nadia.
From season 6, Meier become the secretary of Stüsser. Her arrogant manner makes her particularly unpopular with her colleagues, though she is the focus of Rüdiger's romantic attentions. She gives in to his constant advances in the series finale, when the two become a couple.