The German Anschreiben is Europe's most structured cover letter: fixed order, formal Sie, salary line, hand signature. This guide covers conventions, paragraph order, an annotated template, common mistakes and FAQs.

Cover letter conventions in Germany

In Germany the cover letter is the Anschreiben, and it remains a standard part of the Bewerbung for private-sector, public-sector and Ausbildung roles. It is sent as a separate document ahead of the Lebenslauf, with certificates (Zeugnisse) following — combined into one PDF for portals, or as the first pages of a printed application when posting is requested. One page is the limit, written in German unless the advertisement is in English.

Formality is expected. Use the Sie form, open with 'Sehr geehrte Frau [Surname]' or 'Sehr geehrter Herr [Surname]' — German ads often name a contact precisely so you can — and reserve 'Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren' for when they do not. The conventional order is fixed: introduction with the position and source, motivation, qualifications matched to the requirements, salary expectation (Gehaltsvorstellung) when the ad asks, then a courteous close. Print and sign by hand for posted or personally presented applications; a typed name is normal for portal uploads. A photo on the Lebenslauf is not obligatory but remains common practice.

What to include, paragraph by paragraph

A German screener is looking for order as much as content: does the letter follow the expected sequence, and does it answer the Stellenanzeige point by point. Start with position and source:

Position, source, reference number. Name the exact Stelle, where the posting appeared, and its Kennziffer if it has one. Then one sentence of introduction: who you are and what you do now. This block should be recognisable at a glance as a Bewerbung opener.
Motivation. Why this company and this role — specific, not generic. Reference something real: the product, the team, the location, the posting itself. German recruiters expect Bewerbungsmotivation to be visibly tailored.
Qualifications. Take the Anforderungsprofil and answer it line by line: '[Requirement] — my [experience/certification].' State German and English levels honestly if applying from abroad, include your salary expectation if the ad asks for one, and mention which documents are attached.
Close. Earliest start date, work-permit status if relevant, thanks for consideration, 'Mit freundlichen Grüßen' with your name. Sign by hand when the application is printed or scanned as a hard copy.

What a German recruiter expects first: the position title, the Kennziffer, and evidence the letter was written for this Stellenanzeige. Missing requested salary expectations is a common avoidable rejection.

Germany cover letter example (structure breakdown)

The template below is a working German Anschreiben in placeholder form. The annotations explain what each block signals to a conventional reader:

Betrifft: Ihre Stellenanzeige — [Job Title] (Kennziffer [Reference Number])

[Introduction: state the position, where you saw the ad, and your interest. Be formal and precise.]

[Motivation: explain why you are interested in this role and company. Reference the specific job posting (Stellenanzeige).]

[Qualifications: highlight your most relevant experience and skills. Connect them to the requirements in the job description. Mention language proficiency and salary expectation if requested.]

[Closing: express enthusiasm for an interview, thank the reader, reference attached CV and documents.]

Germany cover letter tips

Why each part works. The header keeps your details attached through every download and rename. 'Betrifft:' with position and Kennziffer is how German applications are filed — it shows you understand the process. The formal salutation proves you know the Sie convention. The middle paragraphs run motivation then qualifications, the order a German screener is trained to check, with requirements answered one by one. The salary line responds to the ad's request directly rather than dodging it. The hand-signed close completes the Bewerbung formals and shows you would handle client-facing correspondence the same way.

Mistakes that get cover letters ignored in Germany

Generic salutation when a name is available. German ads usually name a contact — using 'Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren' anyway reads as a mass mailing. Find the name; Google it if you must.
Informal address or loose structure. The du form and free-form paragraphs belong elsewhere. Keep Sie and the conventional order: introduction, motivation, qualifications, salary, close.
No salary expectation when the ad asks for one. Gehaltsvorstellung is a standard question; leaving it blank suggests you have not read the posting or do not know your market value.
Two pages, or a letter that only repeats the Lebenslauf. The Anschreiben argues motivation and fit — one page. The facts live in the CV and Zeugnisse, not here.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to write the letter in German?

For a German-language posting, yes — a correct, formal German letter is expected, and errors in formality are noticed. If the advertisement is in English, an English letter is fine, but keep the German structural order; state your German level honestly either way.

Must I state a salary expectation?

Whenever the ad asks for it — a specific figure or a justified range, placed in the qualifications or closing paragraph. If the ad does not ask, it is still common practice to include one briefly, since German employers treat pay as a normal part of a formal Bewerbung.

Do I need to print and sign the letter?

For portal uploads, a PDF with a typed name is standard. For postal applications, personal delivery, or any posting that says 'Bewerbung mit Handunterschrift', print it and sign by hand before scanning.

Is a photo still expected on the CV?

Not a legal requirement, and increasingly optional — but still common in German practice, especially outside international tech companies. The cover letter itself never carries a photo.

Germany Cover Letter Template 2026 — Format, Examples & Free Download