A German cover letter is usually expected, but the exact requirement depends on the job ad. It fits on one A4 page, is tailored to one vacancy and is sent as a PDF or through the employer’s portal.
It is not a personal essay and not a copy of your CV. A cover letter in Germany is a short business letter that explains why you match this role at this company.
Do you need a cover letter in Germany?
In most cases, yes – but the job ad has the final word. The Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Germany’s public employment service) treats the cover letter as part of almost every application, though some companies now drop it for online applications.
Make it in Germany, the government portal for skilled workers, notes that employers usually list required documents at the end of the ad. If a cover letter for a job in Germany is required, send it as requested. If a portal offers only a text field, paste a shorter version without a signature.
What is a German cover letter?
Anschreiben and Bewerbungsschreiben (application letter) both mean the cover letter. It is one part of the Bewerbung, your complete job application in Germany, together with your Lebenslauf (CV) and Zeugnisse (certificates and employer references).
The letter shows your motivation, proves your suitability with evidence and links your experience to what the employer needs. The CV lists facts; the cover letter explains why they matter for this vacancy.
Cover letter vs CV vs motivation letter
The three documents are easy to mix up. The Bundesagentur für Arbeit separates them clearly: a cover letter shows professional suitability, while a motivation letter (Motivationsschreiben) sets out personal reasons.
| Cover letter (Anschreiben) | CV (Lebenslauf) | Motivation letter (Motivationsschreiben) | |
| Purpose | Links your skills to one vacancy | Summarises education and career | Explains personal interest |
| Form | Letter in full sentences | Table, newest entries first | Letter in full sentences |
| Length | One A4 page | Up to two A4 pages | As requested |
| When to send | Almost always | Always | Only on request |
For the CV, see our guide to the German CV format.
German cover letter format and structure
DIN 5008, the German standard for business letters, is a useful guide for margins and spacing. The order of blocks below follows the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, so employers see the layout they expect.
| Block | What goes in it |
| Sender | Name, address, mobile number and professional email |
| Employer | Company name, contact person and address |
| Place and date | Right-aligned; German letters use DD.MM.YYYY |
| Subject (Betreff) | Exact job title and reference number |
| Salutation | The contact person by name, for example “Sehr geehrte Frau Meyer” |
| Opening | Three to five lines on why you want this role at this company; avoid “Hiermit bewerbe ich mich” (“I hereby apply”) |
| Main body | About eight lines on relevant skills, each with an example |
| Company fit | About two lines on what you would contribute |
| Closing | One sentence offering an interview, in person or online |
| Signature | “Mit freundlichen Grüßen” or “Yours sincerely”, your name and a scanned signature |
| Attachments (Anlagen) | Optional list of enclosed documents |
For a German cover letter template, the same page offers free Word layouts. Use the layout, but write the text yourself.
Should you write your cover letter in German or English?
Your letter shows the employer which language you can work in. Choose it by the job, not by comfort.
Write in German when the ad is in German and the work involves German-speaking colleagues or clients. Write in English when the ad and the team clearly use English. If you are unsure, follow the language of the ad.
At B1–B2 level, have the letter proofread. The Bundesagentur für Arbeit advises using a draft from artificial intelligence (AI) only as a starting point, because the tool does not know you. Understand every sentence: a letter at C1 level followed by an interview at B1 level creates doubt.
How to write a cover letter for Germany in seven steps
Here is how to write a German cover letter step by step. Most of the work happens before the first sentence.
- Read the vacancy twice. Note the title, reference number, contact and deadline.
- Pick the key requirements. Choose three or four you can prove.
- Research the employer. Check its website, sector and clients.
- Choose the language. Follow the ad and the team’s working language.
- Write the opening, body and closing. Motivation first, strengths next, interview request last.
- Add evidence. Give each requirement a task, result or figure.
- Proofread and submit as requested. Get a second reader, save a PDF and use the channel the employer names.
Short cover letter example for an office or finance role
This cover letter example for Germany suits an English-language posting. For a German-language vacancy, use the same structure in German.
Subject: Application for accounting assistant, reference FA-2026-17
Dear Ms Becker,
I am applying for the accounting assistant position because your firm serves small and medium-sized businesses – the clients I supported for five years before moving to Germany.
In my previous role, I processed around 300 supplier invoices a month and prepared bank reconciliations. In 2025, I completed a course in German bookkeeping with DATEV and the HGB (German Commercial Code). My German is at B2 level, and I use it daily at work.
I would like to bring this accuracy to your accounts payable team.
I look forward to discussing my application in an interview.
Yours sincerely, Priya Sharma
The opening links the role to this employer, the body proves two requirements with evidence, and the closing asks for an interview.
Common mistakes international applicants make
Check your draft against these points before you send it.
- One letter for every job. A generic text shows that you have not read the ad.
- Repeating the CV. Explain what your experience means for this role.
- More than one page. Cut sentences instead of shrinking the font.
- The wrong language. Match the ad and the team.
- No contact name or reference number. Both belong in the letter.
- Claims without evidence. Replace adjectives with examples.
- Too personal. Leave out details the job does not need.
- Salary expectations nobody asked for. Mention salary only on request.
- Typos or the wrong file format. Proofread and send a clearly named PDF.
Conclusion
The best German cover letter is short, specific and honest: one page, one vacancy, an example for every claim and the language the job requires. It does not replace a strong CV, but together they show the employer why you fit the role. If you are a learner at DWW Akademie, the Career Center can support you with your German CV and cover letter, from the first draft to a mock interview.
FAQ
Is a cover letter mandatory in Germany?
No law requires one; each employer decides. If the ad asks for a cover letter, an application without it may count as incomplete. If it is optional, a short tailored letter still helps.
How long should a German cover letter be?
One A4 page, including the address blocks and the signature. The text usually fits into four short paragraphs: opening, strengths, company fit and closing.
Should I write my cover letter in German or English?
Use the language of the ad and of the daily work. An English letter for a German-speaking role can suggest you cannot work in German; a polished German letter raises expectations your spoken German must meet.
What is the difference between a cover letter and a motivation letter?
A cover letter shows your professional fit for one role. A motivation letter (Motivationsschreiben) focuses on personal reasons and interests. Send one only when the employer requests it.
Should I include a photo or salary expectations in a German cover letter?
No photo goes in the cover letter. If you use one, it belongs on the CV, and some employers ask for anonymised applications without photos. Give salary expectations only on request; the Entgeltatlas of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit shows typical pay by occupation and region.
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