Mail in Germany: How to Send and Receive Letters
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Mail in Germany: What You Need to Know
The postal service in Germany operates through the Deutsche Post network, partner branches, yellow mailboxes, kiosks, and online services. It is used to send regular letters, postcards, documents, registered letters, and small items, as well as to set up services for moving, vacations, or a separate mailing address.
Key points for the sender: choose the correct letter format, pay the required postage, write the address in the German format, and keep the tracking number if the letter needs to be tracked. For important documents, it’s best to use Einschreiben, because a regular letter does not provide full proof of delivery.
Starting in 2025, you should no longer expect standard letters in Germany to be delivered “the next day.” For standard letters, Deutsche Post typically estimates delivery on the second business day after drop-off, while for Einschreiben, delivery is usually on the next business day after drop-off.
You can easily recognize the German postal service by its yellow color, the logo with a horn, yellow mailboxes, and “Deutsche Post” signs. DHL is part of the same logistics network, but the rules for letters and packages differ.
How to Buy a Stamp in Germany
You can purchase stamps for your letter in several ways:
- at a Deutsche Post branch or through partners;
- at a self-service kiosk near a post office, at a train station, or in another crowded place;
- online via the Deutsche Post website;
- in the Post & DHL App as the code for signing on the envelope.
You can print an online stamp and affix it to the envelope. If you purchase a mobile stamp, the app generates an alphanumeric code: write this code by hand in the upper right corner of the envelope instead of using a regular stamp.
Before sending, check the letter’s format, weight, and thickness. In Germany, the price depends not only on weight but also on the envelope’s size. For Standardbrief and Postkarte, a rectangular shape is required; the length must be at least 1.4 times the width.
Deutsche Post Rates for Letters Within Germany
Current base rates for domestic letters and postcards in 2026:
| Format | Price | Weight | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postcard | 0.95 € | card 150–500 g/m² | 14–23.5 × 9–12.5 cm |
| Standardbrief | 0.95 € | up to 20 g | 14–23.5 × 9–12.5 cm, thickness up to 0.5 cm |
| Kompaktbrief | 1.10 € | up to 50 g | 10–23.5 × 7–12.5 cm, thickness up to 1 cm |
| Großbrief | 1.80 € | up to 500 g | 10–35.3 × 7–25 cm, up to 2 cm thick |
| Maxibrief | €2.90 | up to 1 kg | 10–35.3 × 7–25 cm, thickness up to 5 cm |
For non-standard sizes, international letters, packages, additional options, and express delivery, use the postage calculator on the Deutsche Post website. Rates are subject to change, so it’s best to double-check the price in the official Portoberater before sending documents or a batch of letters.
Online shipping cost calculator
The postage calculator helps you select the correct rate and purchase a stamp right away. You’ll usually need to provide:
- destination country;
- type of shipment;
- weight;
- dimensions;
- Additional services, if needed.
After selecting a rate, the system displays the available options: standard letter, registered letter, international letter, or another suitable product. If you purchase a postage stamp online, save the payment confirmation and the tracking number when it is issued.
Sending a Letter from Germany Abroad
Separate rates and rules apply to international letters. The cost depends on the country, format, weight, and additional services. For example, a letter with tracking or registered delivery will cost more than a standard international letter.
For Russia and other countries outside the EU, it’s especially important to check the availability of the destination and the terms of international shipping on the Deutsche Post or DHL website before sending. Delivery times, routes, and restrictions can change more quickly than domestic rates.
Additional Services: When to Use Einschreiben
Einschreiben is used when it’s important to confirm mailing or delivery: termination notices, documents submitted to government agencies, contracts, applications, tax documents, and important correspondence with an employer or insurance company.
Main options within Germany:
| Service | Surcharge on Base Porto | What the Sender Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Einschreiben Einwurf | +2.35 € | documented delivery to a mailbox or Postfach |
| Einschreiben Standard | +2.65 € | delivery to the recipient or an authorized person with confirmation |
| Einschreiben Rückschein | +4.85 € | proof of delivery with Rückschein |
| Einschreiben Wert | +4.45 € | increased liability for permitted valuable contents; usually processed at a branch |
Einschreiben can usually be tracked online. For Standard and Rückschein, Deutsche Post provides liability coverage of up to €25 in case of loss or damage; for Einwurf, the limit is €20. Special restrictions apply to valuables and cash, so before sending money, jewelry, or documents of material value, be sure to read the terms and conditions for the specific service.
Warensendung: Small Items in an Envelope
Warensendung is suitable for small items, samples, and goods: accessories, small parts, catalogs, textiles, data storage media, and similar items. This is not the same as a regular letter containing documents.
For Warensendung, the dimensions, weight, packaging, and labeling are important. Such shipments are usually cheaper than parcels, but may take longer than a regular letter and have specific rules regarding contents. Before sending goods, it’s best to check the current rate using the Deutsche Post calculator, as the rules for Warenpost, Warensendung, and international Warenversand differ.
How to Send a Letter
The process is simple:
- Choose an envelope of the appropriate size.
- Write the recipient’s address and the return address.
- Weigh the letter if you’re unsure about the rate.
- Buy a stamp or a mobile code.
- Drop the letter in a yellow mailbox by the specified pickup time or turn it in at a post office.
- For Einschreiben, keep the Einlieferungsbeleg or the tracking number.
Mailboxes indicate the collection time. If a letter is placed in the mailbox after the last collection, it will not actually begin its journey until the next business day.
German Address Format on an Envelope
German envelopes usually include the following:
- the recipient’s address in the lower right corner;
- the sender’s address in the upper left corner or on the back;
- A stamp or stamp code in the upper right corner.
Standard address format within Germany:
- Recipient’s name or company name.
- If necessary, include a department, contact person, c/o, or an additional line.
- Street and house number.
- ZIP Code and City.
Example:
Franz Fröhlich AG
Einkauf, Mr. Schulz
Hermannstraße 64
53225 Bonn
In Germany, people usually do not include the region or district. Apartment numbers are often omitted, so the last name on the mailbox must match the recipient’s. If a person is staying with another tenant, add “c/o.”
For international letters, the destination country is written on the last line in all capital letters in German, English, or French. It’s also best to write the city in large, clear letters, and do not add country codes such as D-, F-, or NL- before the postal code.
How to Track a Letter
A regular letter without a tracking number does not provide full tracking capabilities. You can track shipments for which a Sendungsnummer has been issued: for example, Einschreiben, certain online stamps with basic status information, international registered mail, and other products with Sendungsverfolgung.
You can check the status via Deutsche Post’s Sendungsverfolgung: https://www.deutschepost.de/sendung/simpleQuery.html
If a letter is time-sensitive, involves a dispute, or is intended for an official agency, do not rely on a verbal promise; instead, use a documented method of mailing. In legally significant situations, not only the fact of mailing but also proof of delivery or the recipient’s access to the letter may be important.
How Letters Are Delivered in Germany
Letters first arrive at sorting centers, where a system recognizes the postal code and sorts the mail by destination. The mail is then transported to regional centers and handed over to delivery personnel.
Letters are usually delivered on business days, except Sundays and public holidays. Depending on the area, the mail carrier may deliver letters by bicycle, cart, or car.
The mailbox at the residence must be accessible, dry, and labeled with the recipient’s last name. If the last name is not on the mailbox or intercom, the letter may be returned to the sender as undeliverable.
The rules are different for packages: delivery via DHL, Packstation, Ablageort, and Hermes/DPD/GLS is a separate topic. For more information on packages, visit ; for domestic package delivery, visit.
Branches, Partners, and Postbank
Postal services are available not only at large Deutsche Post branches. Partners often include kiosks, stationery stores, tobacco shops, and book and newspaper outlets. At some locations, you can buy stamps and send a letter; at others, you can send packages, conduct banking transactions, or access additional services.
Postbank has historical ties to the postal network, so some branches offer banking services or ATMs. However, the availability of specific services varies by location, so it’s best to check the branch using the Standortfinder before visiting.
Useful Deutsche Post Services
Postfach
A Postfach is a post office box at a Deutsche Post branch. It’s useful if you want to receive some of your mail in a separate box rather than in your home mailbox. In the address, the street name is replaced by the Postfach number and the branch’s ZIP code.
Before placing an order, check the current price, key pickup conditions, availability at your local branch, and rules for co-users. These details depend on the service and are subject to change.
Postfach Extra
Postfach Extra is needed when letters sent to a Postfach need to be forwarded selectively—for example, from specific senders. This option can be convenient for the self-employed, clubs, small projects, or people who don’t want to mix personal and business correspondence.
Storage Service
The Lagerservice temporarily holds your mail while you’re on vacation, a business trip, or away from home for an extended period. Deutsche Post recommends signing up for the service in advance; the minimum notice period before it begins depends on the service terms. Once the period ends, the accumulated mail is delivered to the recipient.
This service is useful if your mailbox might overflow or if letters are visible from the outside. For important mail while you’re away, it’s sometimes more reliable to combine the Lagerservice with a trusted person’s access to your mailbox.
Mail Forwarding Service
The Nachsendeservice redirects letters from an old address to a new one, for example, when moving. In 2026, Deutsche Post offers the Nachsendeservice for up to 6 months; for private customers, prices start at €31.90 when ordering online, while prices are higher at a Poststation or branch.
You need to request mail forwarding in advance: Deutsche Post specifies a minimum of 5 business days before the start date. When moving, don’t limit yourself to the Nachsendeservice: separately notify your bank, insurance company, employer, Krankenkasse, Finanzamt, Ausländerbehörde, and other important senders of your new address.
Postscan
Postscan allows you to receive some of your mail digitally. This is convenient for people who travel frequently or don’t want to rely on physical access to a mailbox. Before signing up, check which letters are scanned, how often the originals are delivered, how much the service costs, and which categories of mail are excluded.
