Yes, serving an EFS term means having a criminal record – but so does having been sentenced to a fine and paying it. Whether or not the person sentenced to a fine goes to jail does not make a difference with regards to their criminal record. All convictions appear in the “Bundeszentralregister Strafen” (Federal Central Register of Convictions) and are usually included in further proceedings. However, a previous conviction does not appear in the police record as long as it is the first entry and it does not exceed 90 daily sentences.