📮 How to SEND A LETTER in Germany [A COMPLETE GUIDE for EXPATS]

[@RenanEsposte]

Update: the handwritten stamp (#PORTO) is available only for sending domestic letters (within Germany).

[@BrunoSilva-ur7sb]

Today I sended my first letter in Germany and this vid was really helpful. Thanks a lot!

[@simplegermany]

Yay! Glad to hear! 😊

[@neonskuller]

Been in Germany since 2014 and today for the first time (after 7 years) I need to send a letter and I had no idea how to do it :D Thanks a lot!

[@darcybarber248]

When sending a letter from germany to uk what stamps do I use?

[@vero960]

Omg almost the same. Being here for almost 3 years and tomorrow sending my first letter xD

[@DeaktivierterUser1]

Shame on you 😅

[@nara7032]

Yeap, for sone reason Germans looove letters. I have already for few months in Germany sent more letters, than for entire life back in home country. Not talking about letters recieved. I find this guide supper useful. Thanks!

[@simplegermany]

Another tip: save the letters you receive. You never know when you’ll need them again 😅

[@milanrastelli4026]

Hand-Written “stamp” is a killer feature 🤯 Thanks for sharing

[@infiniteanant5667]

It's been 3 weeks that I have arrived in Germany. I have to send a letter to ARD Radio department. I was thinking about that only and surprisingly on the same day I saw your video about 'How to send the letter?'. Your video is super helpful..! Thanks a lot for your genuine efforts to make expats life smoother in Germany!! ❤️😇👌🏼👏🏼❤️

[@simplegermany]

Super cool that our video helped you! Did you also see our video on the TV and radio tax? 😊

[@usmanvlogs1418]

@@simplegermany please marry me QUEEN of beauty I'm ready to accept your religion

[@majorkerr1333]

I can’t thank you both enough for doing these videos. You really help people and I think that’s wonderful 😊❤

[@HarpreetSingh-ti3lx]

Thank you so much. You guys have made my life easier here in Deutschland.

[@simplegermany]

Very happy to hear! 😊

[@justsliming1487]

Simple Germany you guys are life savers 😂 i have to send a letter with pictures and had no idea how, it's my first time thank you

[@lovenpeace4life]

Thanks. This was very helpful.

[@akvmenon]

Hello , Again, This video was helpful in educating me with how to send an envelope. I have to send one this week. Thank you very much! Best wishes to both of you!

[@simplegermany]

Glad it helped you out!

[@josemiguelundurraga4706]

best video i have ever found. Thank you so for much for the teaching

[@nullObject_]

Thank you for sharing this information.

[@11lightningbolt11]

Thank you so much for this amazing video. It helped me post my 1st letter in germany. yaaayyy!! A suggestion: If possible please update the section where you have clearly explained how the POST&DHL app works. There are minor changes/updates to the app. 🙂

[@rahulrathi584]

Great video! One correction which I also found out very recently- z.Hd is not the equivalent of c/o, infact it's the opposite! Max Mustermann c/o Alexander would mean Max lives at Alex's place, while it would mean the other way round if we replace c/o with z.Hd

[@simplegermany]

That is a very good observation! Thanks for pointing that out 😊

[@Mwt6426]

Thank you for this simple explanation

[@jvqn6581]

You can write the destination country in French as well. I'd avoid German on the off-chance that the letter is misdirected and ends up in a third country. English and French are the official languages allowed by the UPU (it used to be only French), hence any country's postal service must be able to read those.

[@ingeborgm6147]

Luftpost, (airmail) used to be identified with the words PAR AVION on the front of the envelope on the left side and the return address was always on the back. (Changed some years back, but people still do it who are used to it).

[@vivianvalverde]

Thank you! I have been delaying sending a letter becuase I had no idea how to do it, and the people I asked were useless 😅

[@jhessicalmoreira]

Extremely helpful as always! Thanks a lot!

[@ravanpee1325]

Even if you don't use letters for private reasons, it's important because everything in regard to gouvernment and bureaucracy is usually still processed due to paperwork. Also every contract has to be terminated due to a written letter/form. Just the oral sentence "I quit" isn't sufficient

[@aisthesis_]

This is SO HELPFUL omg. Thank YOU!

[@monalisamallick9426]

Thanks for a nice and clear video

[@gerdpapenburg7050]

11:29 - interesting to still see the postcode 4000 for Düsseldorf which has been abolished in 1990 when 5-digit postcodes have been invented.

[@mylena3086]

Coole Sache mit dem Porto code, ds wusst ich auch noch nicht, ist aber ne gute Idee

[@jhdix6731]

That app actually is quite new, but there was a way to pay your postage fee using your phone before (since 2008). Until end of last year you could sent a text message and receive the porto code as a response. (The fee was put on your phone bill). I mostly used it when sending in the occasional sick note, using the company phone. (They wanted it in paper, they can pay for it). BTW: If you have a printer, and choose that option when buying the stamp, the app also allows you to type in the adresses (yours and the receipients), so don't need to bother where to put them on the envelope ;-).

[@caunteya]

This is incredibly helpful. Thanks 👍👍

[@vero960]

Could sound stupid, but I have never send a letter before and now that I need to do it I am so nervous. Thanks for this video!

[@rickyn1135]

I love the postage app. 👏🏼👏🏼

[@vickenkodjaian5265]

Look at you guys. Just recently you reached one thousand subscribers and now it is two thousand already. Congratulations😊🎊 Actually I've been checking the last three days or so. Okay now they are at 1.95. Okay now they are at 1.97 and before you know it, it is 2000. Yey.

[@simplegermany]

Wooahh yes! 🎉 Thanks a lot for your great support! There will be more to come 🤗

[@vickenkodjaian5265]

@@simplegermany looking forward for every one.

[@daliakamal5621]

great and very important video, thank you for sharing this information it helps a lot.

[@amiresfahani9358]

Thank u for all the information you share. Credit card payment seems to be added to the app.

[@akshatsharma1021]

Thanks a lot for this!

[@disguisedgirl]

Great and important video!

[@simplegermany]

Thanks! Glad it is helpful 😊

[@AlaVRSim]

life saver! thank you very much

[@ehemalssimehtt3739]

❤️ Simple Germany ❤️ = Perfect!

[@supertobino]

in berlin it‘s right schlitz for berlin/brandenburg and left for all other destinations.

[@tomatom9666]

Thank you, so helpful!

[@theotron3000]

very cool episode! I just recently learned that delivery to neighbours is actually not common, for example in Russia, so it might be a german thing ...

[@floriath]

Helpful. Thanks.

[@muteeburrehman7628]

Thanks a lot ❤

[@jorgekorn52]

I started watching the video because I wanted to know where to put the stamp

[@humanxi]

thank you YOU are the best :D

[@YogiGhorecha]

very helpfull Many thanks

[@autrimandal4883]

I am being unable to purchase postage stamps online! There is no kaufen butten at final step! Why is this happening!?

[@julianc8588]

You are the best

[@dervomdorf2693]

Mir gefällt der Mass Krug auf dem Schreibtisch

[@Sophie-td8nr]

Hi Yvonne, I am finding strange that when I receive a letter from bank, town hall....there is not postmark so we cannot see when the letter was sent or arrived. I think it is very important for legal purposes! So how Germans can prove when they receive a letter and when a letter was sent?

[@simplegermany]

Hey Sophie, usually all letters get stamped. They might not have an actual physical stamp on it but rather a printed one, which shows the date. Usually, you should check your mailbox every day and the day you receive the letter in the mailbox counts as the legal day. In legal offices, often the letters get a date print with the date of arrival to know when it actually arrived. If you have sensitive documents you can also send or receive the letters as 'Einschreiben' where you have to sign for the letter and thus document when you received it. Hope this helps 😊

[@thomasb.9965]

Hallo Yvonne... there are many yellow postboxes with only one „Schlitz“ for all letters...for own City or other cities...😇...

[@simplegermany]

Hallo Thomas 😉 that might well be the case. We just give the example of what we have in Düsseldorf 😇

[@winiciusrodrigues3032]

Thank you so much

[@amjadal-qadasi4666]

Thank you

[@MrAnanthnarayanan]

Hi, Thank you for the video. Even replying back government letters, should we spend money from our own pocket to buy envelope and stamp?

[@n1vca]

Had no clue this hash option even exists, very cool ... and that ancient Mailbox with "4000 Düsseldorf" is a joke ... and it only takes love letters :-)

[@simplegermany]

Yeah the hash thing is so cool, right? Hahaha that letterbox still works. We have sent so many bureaucratic documents through it 😅

[@majorkerr1333]

Hallo habe ich eine Frage 🙋‍♂ ? What about receiving packages internationally from the USA or another country? zb. My mom is trying to send me a care package. Ich wohne in Berlin in Friedrichshain.

[@ReinholdOtto]

It should be Max Mustermann, c/o Stefanie Schulte, the Letterbox name comes after the c/o.

[@simplegermany]

You are absolutely right! Thanks a lot for the correction ! 😊

[@jhdix6731]

I would rather put z.Hd. (zu Händen) instead of c/o (care of), though

[@simplegermany]

And you are absolutely right 🙈 in our blog article I describe it exactly like that, but I guess I was not as precise in the video. Please forgive me and thanks for the input 😊

[@ReinholdOtto]

@@simplegermany Thanks for your great videos, you are a great couple with great messages.

[@md.belalhosen34]

Thanks a lot

[@Notimetotakeblood]

very helpful (y)

[@Nayak_Sampath]

danke dir

[@justsliming1487]

I've received a letter and inside was an envelope for me to send back an answer, it already had the adress where i have to send to, but on the stamp area says that "Recipient pays the fee" does that mean I don't need to put on a stamp ??

[@simplegermany]

Yes, that's exactly what it means 😊

[@justsliming1487]

Thank you and I love you😂❤​@@simplegermany

[@bpca2s029]

Maybe a stupid question - Can International letters be posted using the same yellow letter boxes as the domestic letters?

[@simplegermany]

Yes, they can. 😊

[@amrezzeldin9992]

Thanks for the video. One question please. I have sent a letter but I placed my name and address at the back of the envelope. Will it be delivered or not?

[@simplegermany]

It should get delivered as long as the recipient is placed correctly on the front. 😊

[@amrezzeldin9992]

@@simplegermanyThanks a lot!

[@anvesh23]

My landlord is insisting my apartment mailbox can't be labelled with my name and wants me to use the apartment number mentioned on my address, does that work?

[@simplegermany]

If mail gets delivered by apartment numbers in your building then it should work. Apartment numbers are just quite unusual in Germany.

[@i77777]

Does it works the same for package? And If I want to send a package, where should I drop it?

[@osita9850]

hi, I want to send a postcard, and printed a stamp, but I have been told that it is not necessary to print it, that with write the code it bring in the QR Code is enough, but brings three codes and do not know which copy... what should I do?

[@simplegermany]

So you either need a stamp or a code as we show in the video. Not both. No idea why you have 3 codes. If you have questions, take your postcard to the nearest post office. They will help you 😊

[@rubyjohn3910]

Where can I buy the envelope from? Will it be available in the post office?

[@Serreana]

I want to send international letter to my home country. So, I only need to pay for the stamp? There is no additional fee?

[@ManukaMadurangaa]

Any tips on sending an international letter? Then we don't get this code but we get a QR code, should I print it and paste it on the envelope?

[@miladyamalia6446]

Hello both and thank you for all you do. What do you suggest to do when you receive no mail at all. Not even bank, health insurance, gas letters nothing. Even after you reach out to the post office and fill out a complain online, the issue is still not addressed. The name is clearly written in front of the main door and in the mailbox inside the building. Not even the Hauseverwaltung' announcements. What to do then? Thank you!!

[@simplegermany]

That sounds super strange. We would double check the address that you are communicating and personally go to your local post office to try to find the issue.

[@annabraudo2020]

Wow, great video! I was super ashamed I didn't know how to work postage at 26 years old cause I never ever needed that before I came to Germany :D Quick question, would you have any tips on how to get the paper with my name under those plastic covers by the door bell and the letter box?? I tried once and ended up accidentally pressing the buzzer of my neighbors, I am afraid to try again :D

[@simplegermany]

Glad you found an apartment in Dusseldorf! I hope your new neighbours were cool about it 😉. In our experience, we have asked the landlord or the superintendent to take care of that. So I would recommend to contact your landlord first and ask about it. What other people do is to buy a sticker, write their name on it, and place it on top of the plastic covers for the door bell and letter box. You can find these stickers in any DHL store. You should check with your landlord if this is allowed though, as sometimes they require that all letterboxes look the same. Also, if you want to have another try at it, I found this KZbin video that shows how one can change the paper: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZ7YZI2PmNGIlbc. The video is in German, but it's pretty self explanatory :D.

[@annabraudo2020]

​@@simplegermany Omg, you're a godsend

[@simplegermany]

Thanks! Happy Easter for you too! 🐰

[@lannieziemke2566]

Hello how you doing I'm Jeffrey

[@sherifelshafei8759]

I have an address in Germany and am changing to a different address. What is the Post service/forms that i shall fill so as to get my letters forwarded to my new address?

[@simplegermany]

It is called a 'Nachsendeservice' and you can request one via this page: www.deutschepost.de/de/u/post-umzug.html

[@sherifelshafei8759]

@@simplegermany Lots of thanks. In fact I have another question maybe you can help me with: I have founded a GmbH since about 1.5 years. I am looking for salesperson(s) in Germany. Any guidance you could offer is greatly appreciated.

[@majorkerr1333]

Another question? I cam confused about something. I ordered a translation from Lingoking and I had one delivered no problem and I had another letter send via DHL from my mom in the states with my birth certificate. I received the DHL letter but not the translation from Lingoking. The Deutsche Post/ DHL said that it would be sent back to the sender? You may not have an answer, but why would I receive the other letters and not this one? My mail box was not full. I don't understand. Do I just wait, will they attempt delivery again, because it says they returned it to the sender (lingoking)

[@simplegermany]

Sometimes DHL works in mysterious ways. Either try to contact DHL directly with your "Sendungsnummer" or ask Lingoking about it or to send it again.

[@majorkerr1333]

@@simplegermany Danke dir für ride Antwort. Alles ist in Ordnung 🙌🙂

[@ndieyelaura2060]

Hi Please can i write a letter with a Pen or do i have to print it?

[@simplegermany]

You can write it with a pen 😊

[@aklepatzky]

I've been a month in Germany (Leipzig) and haven't even seen ONE of those yellow boxes. Today I had to send a letter and had to queue at a DHL to send it :( I understand the app shows you different DHL locations, however, does any of the locations shown in the app is those yellow boxes? If so, how is it called in the app?

[@simplegermany]

The DHL app indeed does not show the locations of the yellow mail boxes (Briefkasten). You can find them via this website: postboxmap.com/en

[@bridgettejoanne5636]

I'm sending a bigger envelop but not sure where to write the addresses. somebody please help

[@simplegermany]

Same guidelines. Doesn’t matter how big the envelope 😊

[@bridgettejoanne5636]

@@simplegermany thank you soooo much💝

[@mihirjoshi5843]

Hey! Where can I write sender name in the window envelop type? Or I don't need

[@simplegermany]

It can be in a thin text line above the receiver.

[@mihirjoshi5843]

@@simplegermany ok so first sender name and below that sender's address.

[@mihirjoshi5843]

Right?

[@laverami]

Jen ist verschwunden. 😱

[@simplegermany]

Ich (Jen) bin nächste Woche wieder da 😉

[@Diegopdj]

Can i also put A4 envelopes on that post box?

[@simplegermany]

Yes :)

[@otuokwulillian9092]

❤❤❤

[@nedu6118]

Can I just get an empty envelope from the supermarket or do I have to go to the post office for that?

[@simplegermany]

Some supermarkets might sell empty envelopes - but in a package of multiples. So like in a pack of 25 or so. For single empty envelopes a kiosk or the post office are good options.

[@JanmejayAmbardekar]

It's 2023! Why do we have to still send letters in Germany by Post?

[@simplegermany]

Good question :D

[@ParisThomas23]

Thankssssssssss

[@stephaniewilson7769]

When I was a kid in the 90's I had a German penpal (I live in the U.S.), and I had to put "luftpost" on my envelope. It went somewhere below the return address. She always had it on her envelopes as well. Is that still necessary for international mail?

[@simplegermany]

Yes, it is still used 🙂. Writing Airmail or Luftpost is equivalent to writing Priority on an envelope. This will hopefully expedite the delivery of the mail. According to the Deutsche Post: "If you would like to send your letter by airmail, a corresponding note must be clearly handwritten or printed on the shipment or, better still, the blue priority sticker must be used. This is the only way to ensure that your consignments are also "prioritized" abroad, ie by the fastest route. If you would like to send your letter by land or sea using the slower method of transport (only possible with DIALOGPOST INTERNATIONAL and PRESSE INTERNATIONAL), please do not use a priority sticker." (Source: bit.ly/3rALUpC). Hope that helps!

[@chellastation]

@@simplegermany I am interested in a German penpal, but I am not sure how to get started. Any suggestions?

[@SAM-t5s]

My mailbox didn't have my name and the mail went back. Where can I collect it from?

[@simplegermany]

If it was sent back, nowhere as it when back to the sender. Put your name on the mailbox and ask the sender to send the letter again.

[@rinbertram4399]

If I’m writing to Germany from somewhere else do I need to write the address and there stuff in German?

[@simplegermany]

If you’re writing a German address, English or German works.

[@sreepanambiar]

I used to sent letters by DHL service, but they are charging different amount for each time. Can you please tell me the cost for posting a letter in Germany?

[@simplegermany]

We write about the cost for sending letters in our guide: www.simplegermany.com/how-to-send-a-letter-in-germany/#How_Much_Does_It_Cost_To_Mail_A_Letter_In_Germany

[@sreepanambiar]

@@simplegermany Thank you so much for the reply... It's small amount I can see on the Link. But they're charging more than that. And for tracking number they have charged 8 EUR recently...!!!!

[@simplegermany]

Yes tracking or any extra service of course has extra fees.

[@FredWang]

I guess you are a software engineer, from the app of GRID Local/Staging I can see. ;p

[@Respect2.0809]

Amazing mam

[@ABbccdd-yj1cb]

Where can I buy the packet for the post?

[@simplegermany]

You can find individual envelopes and packages at the post office.

[@fbt4239]

how/where do i buy envelope?

[@simplegermany]

If you just need one, you can get it at a Post Office. If you would like a pack you can also buy them online.

[@chelealoredan652]

Hi. I talked to someone in Germany and he told me that the stamp should be printed. That's right, does it have to be printed and sent with the letter? I sent a letter and I did not know about this and I did not receive a reply after 4 weeks since I sent the letter. Thank you very much in advance for the reply.

[@simplegermany]

What do you mean that the stamp should be printed? So you could either glue a regular physical stamp on the letter, use the new #code which we explain in the video, where you write the code on the envelope by hand, or have the postage printed on the envelope directly at the post office. Hope this helps 😊

[@chelealoredan652]

​@@simplegermany I bought with the help of the DHL application, as in the video a mobile stamp that I wrote on the envelope with a pen by hand and then I put it in the mailbox, but because I didn't receive an answer (for 4 weeks) I looked for an explanation. So I went to the welcome center in Stuttgart and from there I was already told twice that I had to print the stamp and send it with the envelope. It is a very important letter and I am still waiting for an answer, but I think I will try and send another one. The recipient on the envelope was already printed on the envelope and I wrote my address but I did not receive the letter back At this point, I am very confused.

[@simplegermany]

We totally understand your confusion. The app # code should work, we have used it before and it is an official service from the Deutsche Post. The only other advise we can give, is to send the letter with tracking, as we also explain in the video or in our guide: www.simplegermany.com/how-to-send-a-letter-in-germany/. This way you will know when the letter arrived. Best you go to a post office and ask them to send it with tracking. Keep the tracking code and you can follow the status of the letter online. Hope this helps!

[@mirandasanchez2044]

what if everyone in your house doesnt have the same last name? just use the c/o ?

[@simplegermany]

Hey Miranda, ideally you get both names on the letter box in case you live with a partner. For a WG (shared flat) it is common to put the name of the main tenant (the one on the rental contract and mail box) as c/o. Hope that helps! 😊

[@natsudragneel2640]

Do other countries not have mail or need to send letters though?!

[@simplegermany]

Yes they do, however the labeling and stamping differs from country to country 😉

[@sarsonder5127]

Living in Germany for a month now and need to send a letter…where the heck is my nearest post box!?

[@sarsonder5127]

I guess after watching this video it doesn’t tell me where to find one. The Deutsche Post has a locator, but I still don’t see it. Is it in a store, maybe?

[@simplegermany]

Mmh they are usually on the street. If not look for your nearest post office?

[@balbirsingh3323]

Hi, can we mention our phone number at the end of the sender's address???

[@simplegermany]

Usually you don’t put the phone number with the senders address on the envelope.

[@SirShoddrick]

Wie geht man receive Amazon Packages?

[@simplegermany]

Amazon packages get delivered to your door. So the easiest is to be home, when the door rings and receive the package in person. If you are not there, you will find a note in your mailbox telling you at which post office you can pick up the package the next day.

[@SirShoddrick]

@@simplegermany awesome!! Thanks !

[@ingeborgm6147]

We call Einscreiben 'registered'.

[@chelealoredan652]

What happens if you accidentally put the envelope in the local mailbox instead of the international mailbox?

[@simplegermany]

We believe it should still arrive, it might just take longer as it will go into a different bucket first.

[@chelealoredan652]

@@simplegermany Thank you very much for the answer.

[@DhiaFraj92]

I can send money by letter?

[@simplegermany]

Yes you can. However, depending on the amount, you might want to send it with tracking.

[@ThePeterasd]

NO NEED TO WRITE an AND von ?

[@simplegermany]

Nope. The location of the addresses on the letter already tells you who it is from and who it is for 😊

[@majorkerr1333]

I should have just waited till the end of your video 🤦‍♂

[@stefanies4501]

Schulte. 😄

[@simplegermany]

😂