How to send a letter in Germany: address, stamps, and Deutsche Post rates
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3 quick steps
To send a letter in Germany, you need to address the envelope correctly, choose the appropriate mailing format, pay for a Deutsche Post stamp, and drop off the letter at a post office, a DHL/Deutsche Post kiosk, or place it in a yellow Briefkasten mailbox. Below is a step-by-step guide for standard letters, postcards, and Einschreiben with tracking.
Where to send a letter in Germany
Deutsche Post offers several standard options for private senders:
- take the letter to a Deutsche Post branch, a DHL Shop, or a partner kiosk displaying the Deutsche Post logo;
- buy a stamp in advance and drop the envelope into a yellow Briefkasten mailbox;
- pay for the stamp online or via the Post & DHL App and use the code for a mobile stamp, if this option is available for the selected item;
- For valuable or legally important documents, send them as Einschreiben at a post office or online.
German kiosk with postal service
If there’s no post office or mailbox nearby, use the official Deutsche Post search tool: it shows branch addresses, mailboxes, business hours, and the time of the next mail pickup.
German Briefkasten mailbox
It’s best to drop off packages and large items in person: a standard Briefkasten is designed for letters and small envelopes, not boxes.
How to Address an Envelope Correctly
Write the recipient’s address in the lower right corner of the front of the envelope. Affix the stamp in the upper right corner, and the sender’s address is usually written in the upper left corner or on the back.
For machine sorting, it’s important that the address be legible: no decorative fonts, no extra lines between the name and address, and sufficient margins around the edges. If the envelope is non-standard, colored, square, or the address is misaligned, the letter may be processed manually or charged at a different rate.
German address format
In Germany, mailboxes often display only the last name, and apartment numbers are not typically used. Therefore, the recipient’s first name and the last name on the mailbox must match or be linked via “c/o.”
Individuals
Sandra Becker
Berliner Allee 30
62502 Frankfurt am MainThe address should be written in this order: first and last name, street and house number, ZIP code, and city.
Family
The Müller Family
Ratinger Straße 11
53175 BonnThis option is suitable if the letter is addressed to the entire family or does not include a specific name.
Two names on one mailbox
Jen Palacios / Yvonne Koppen
Ratinger Straße 11
53175 BonnUse this format if both the first name and last name are listed on the mailbox.
Address via c/o
If the recipient’s name is not listed on the mailbox, add “c/o” followed by the name of the person whose last name is on the mailbox.
Christina Lopez
c/o Alejandra Ramirez
Stresemannweg 3
99084 ErfurtThis is a common situation when subletting, staying temporarily, or forwarding letters to friends.
Letter to a company
If the letter is intended for a specific employee or department, you can use “z. H.”—short for “zu Händen,” meaning “to the attention of.”
Smile GmbH
Marketing / Attn: Ms. Schmidt
Vogelsangstraße 13
40875 RatingenFor official company letters, verify the legal name, branch address, and department in advance.
How to write an international address from Germany
For letters sent abroad, use the format for the destination country. On the last line, write the destination country in all capital letters in German or English.
Miranda Bailey
1/2 Main St SE
MONTREAL, QC H3Z 2Y7
CANADAThe city and country must be legible. If the address in the destination country is written in the Latin alphabet, it’s best not to translate street names and administrative elements into Russian.
How much does it cost to send a letter within Germany
In 2026, Deutsche Post lists the following base rates for personal letters within Germany:
| Mail Type | Weight and Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standardbrief | up to 20 g | 0.95 € |
| Kompaktbrief | up to 50 g | 1.10 € |
| Großbrief | up to 500 g | 1.80 € |
| Maxibrief | up to 1 kg | 2.90 € |
| Postkarte | postcard | 0.95 € |
The rate depends not only on weight but also on the size, thickness, and shape of the envelope. If in doubt, use Deutsche Post’s official Porto-Rechner or ask at a post office before mailing.
How long does it take for a letter to arrive within Germany?
Standard Deutsche Post letters within Germany are usually delivered on the second business day after posting. This is not a guarantee for every individual envelope: delays are possible due to holidays, an incorrect address, late pickup from the mailbox, or manual sorting.
If your letter has a strict deadline, send it well in advance and take into account the time of the last Briefkasten pickup. For documents that require proof of delivery, choose Einschreiben.
How to send a letter with tracking
A tracked letter in Germany is called an “Einschreiben.” It’s used for important documents, notifications, contracts, and situations where proof of mailing or delivery is required.
Main options:
- Einschreiben Einwurf — the mail carrier confirms that the letter was deposited in the recipient’s mailbox.
- Einschreiben Übergabe — the letter is delivered to the recipient or an authorized representative against a signed receipt.
- Einschreiben Rückschein — the sender receives a separate delivery confirmation.
- Einschreiben Eigenhändig — the letter is delivered only to the addressee or a specifically authorized person.
For legally significant letters, check in advance what type of confirmation is required in your specific situation. Sometimes simply dropping it in the mailbox is sufficient, while other times the recipient’s signature is required.
Checklist Before Submitting
Before dropping the envelope into a mailbox or handing it in at a post office, check:
- the recipient’s first name matches the last name on the mailbox or is followed by “c/o”;
- the ZIP code, city, street, and house number are written correctly;
- The stamp corresponds to the weight and size;
- The address is located in the correct section of the envelope;
- For urgent and important documents, select the appropriate type of Einschreiben;
- The envelope has no old address labels, unnecessary barcodes, or outdated stamps.
Common Mistakes
The most common causes of delivery problems are an incomplete address, an incorrect ZIP code, a last name not listed on the mailbox, and insufficient postage. Another common mistake is sending an important document by regular mail when tracking is required.
If a letter is returned, check the Deutsche Post label or stamp: it usually indicates the reason, such as an unknown recipient, insufficient postage, or an undeliverable address.
