simple germany is all about introducing you to modern, fully digital services; However, you will still find cases in your life in Germany where you will have to re-send a traditional letter. In this guide we answer the questions of how to send a letter in Germany, how to send it, how much it costs and how long it takes.
how to send a letter in germany with deutsche post
You have two options for sending a letter in Germany. You can go to one of the many Post Offices (Deutsche Post), DHL stores or kiosks with the Deutsche Post sign in your neighborhood to seal your envelope and mail it.
or, in case you have postage stamps at home, you can drop your envelope in one of the many large yellow mailboxes (briefkasten) on the streets of your neighborhood.
If you haven’t found any of these yet, you can use the German Post location finder, which also tells you what time mailboxes will be emptied and when shops are open.
In our video below, we talk about the cool new post & dhl app, with which you can stamp your letters at home, without a printer. just write a code on the envelope. watch the video to know more! 😊
If you want to ship a package, you can get the packing materials and box at a post office or newsstand. you will have to deliver the package in person, since it does not fit in the mailboxes.
where to write the address on the envelope in germany?
In order for your letter to arrive quickly and safely, it is important that the address on the envelope is correct. there are strict guidelines you must follow.
The recipient’s address must be on the bottom right of the envelope, with at least 15 millimeters of space on the right, left and bottom edge (for postal service use) and 40 millimeters on the top edge of the on. . you must type the address flush left with the same font and size and with no spaces between the name or address.
The return address goes in the upper left corner and the stamp goes in the upper right corner.
what is the german address format?
A German address must have the recipient’s name. That said, German mailboxes usually only carry the last name. it is rare for German apartments to be numbered.
The German address format looks like this:
1. private person
2. private family
3. c/o family
If the recipient of the letter is not the primary tenant or you are writing to a business, you must write the name that is written on the mailbox on the envelope; otherwise it will not be delivered. in the second line, you must put the actual recipient’s name with a German c/o – z.h. means ‘zu händen’ and means to attract the attention of.
4. company
how to write an international address on a letter from germany?
when you want to send a letter to your family or a friend in your home country, you must follow the address format of your home country and write the city in capital letters and in the language of the destination country. the last line must have the country of destination in German or English in capital letters.
An international address on an envelope in Germany looks like this:
miranda bailey1/2 main st semontreal, qc h3z 2y7canada
how much does it cost to send a letter to germany?
here is an overview of the shipping costs for letters sent within germany:
how long does it take for a letter to arrive in germany?
Around 90% of all domestic letters sent in Germany are delivered by German Post the next business day if you drop them off at a letter box or post shop before the latest collection time.
however, especially during the covid-19 lockdown in March and April 2020, some delays may occur. so if you want to be sure your letter arrived on time, try to mail it two or three days early.
how to send a letter with tracking in germany
a letter with tracking is called an einschreiben in germany. for example, all documents sent by a German court are sent with tracking, in order to have proof of the date the letter was received. there are three main types of tracking you can choose from:
- einschreiben einwurf: The envelope is simply dropped into the recipient’s mailbox.
- einschreiben rückschein: You will receive an acknowledgment of receipt signed by the recipient.
- einschreiben eigenhändig : The envelope is only delivered to the actual addressee or an authorized person, who must sign with the postman.
You can also print the tracking postage online at home or at your local post office.
conclusion
The German postal system is very efficient and works best if you write a letter’s address in Germany correctly so that the sorting machines can read it automatically. In case you do not follow the above guidelines, your letter will not be sorted by the machines and will have to be sorted by hand or it will never reach its destination.
If you found this guide helpful, take a look at our section on living in germany for more informative guides on how things work in germany.