Cover letter in German: format and Anschreiben template

When you need a cover letter in German and how to write it: format, subject line, greeting and closing. Below is a template with a translation of every sentence.

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When you need a cover letter in German

Only when the ad requires it or when you want to send one. Many companies now ask only for a Lebenslauf.

How to write an Anschreiben

  • 1 A4 page at most, letter layout according to the DIN 5008 standard.
  • Subject line without the word “Betreff”: position, where you found the offer, reference number.
  • Greeting to the person in the ad, or “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,”.
  • No stock phrases like “Hiermit bewerbe ich mich” and no conditional forms (möchte, würde).
  • Say what you bring and why this company, instead of repeating your CV.
  • Salary only if the ad asks for it.
  • At the end “Mit freundlichen Grüßen”, signature and “Anlagen”.

German cover letter template

A fictional example for a production worker. Fit the text to the ad and to your real details.

The document for the employer

Ravi Kumar
12 MG Road, 682001 Kochi, India

Kunststoffwerk Muster GmbH
Paderborn

Kochi, 06.11.2026

Bewerbung als Produktionshelfer, Referenznummer 123

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

seit sieben Jahren bediene ich Spritzgussmaschinen und bringe diese Erfahrung in Ihr Werk ein. Die Arbeit im 3-Schicht-Betrieb ist für mich Alltag.

Über eine Einladung zum Gespräch freue ich mich.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Ravi Kumar

Anlagen: Lebenslauf

What it means

Ravi Kumar
12 MG Road, 682001 Kochi, India

Kunststoffwerk Muster GmbH
Paderborn

Kochi, 06.11.2026

Application as a production assistant, reference number 123

Dear Sir or Madam,

for seven years I have been operating injection moulding machines and I bring this experience to your plant. Three-shift work is everyday life for me.

I would be glad to be invited to an interview.

Yours faithfully
Ravi Kumar

Attachments: CV

You can use the example on this page for free. The check of how your CV matches a job ad is also free. Finished documents for a specific job ad cost €9 for 30 days, one payment.

Questions and answers

Can I write the letter without knowing German?

Yes. You write in English and get the letter in German with a translation of every sentence. We never add language skills you don't have.

How long should a cover letter in German be?

1 A4 page at most. A short, concrete letter is better than a long one.

Is a cover letter in German mandatory?

Not always. If the ad does not ask for one, a Lebenslauf is often enough.

Is this for a visa or university application?

No. This example is for applying for a job, not for a visa, an embassy or a university.

Where these rules come from

We wrote down the rules from official sources: Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Bewerbungskompass „Bewerbung leicht gemacht” (2026); IHK Pfalz, Tipps Lebenslauf; IHK Arnsberg, Erfolgreich bewerben.

See also

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