I have some very vague memories of learning how to write a formal letter in primary school and how to correctly put the person's address on the envelope. This skill I never used in South Africa but in Germany, pretty much everything comes to you and is sent by you, in the post. The German Postal System is impressive and ensures seamless mail and package deliveries throughout Germany, and even worldwide. It has been quite an adjustment to know that if someone wants to get hold of me about anything important, they will write me a letter in the post, not email me, not call me, but post me something. So here is my guide on how to use this system that will become a very important part of your life.
1. The Basics: The postal system in Munich primarily relies on the services provided by Deutsche Post DHL Group, Germany's national postal and logistics company. They have a huge network of branches and distribution centers that deliver mail and packages across the city. The website is in German so you will need Google translate to start but you can do pretty much everything online or via their App. In and amongst other things you can:
buy stamps with your face printed on them (that are delivered to your door),
arrange a parcel or letter collection,
print a label or buy a PORTO (handwritten stamp) for a new parcel or letter, (I use this option the most, it's so convenient) and
calculate sending costs locally and internationally for every kind of letter and package size.
This handy calculator is a good place to start when trying to figure out your sending costs, don't worry it has lots of pictures so it's easy to follow.
2. Mail Services: Deutsche Post offers a wide range of mail services, including standard letters, registered mail, and express deliveries.
Standard letters typically take one to two business days to reach local recipients and up to five business days for national deliveries. International mail may take longer depending on the destination and reliability of the postal system in that country.
Registered mail gives you an added layer of security, as each item is tracked and requires a signature upon delivery. This service is ideal for valuable or sensitive documents.
For urgent deliveries, express services are available, allowing you to send time-critical packages both nationally and internationally.
In terms of sending "normal" letters, you can:
use a standard stamp (purchased online, in the app or in-store),
use a printable stamp (purchased online, in the app), or
use a PORTO - this is my favorite. You get a code that you write at the top right-hand side of the front of the envelope, instead of where the stamp would be. It's so quick and is available in lots of sizes.
3. Post Offices and Service Points: Throughout Germany, you'll find a network of post offices and service points where you can drop off mail, purchase postage stamps, and access various other postal services. The post boxes are big, yellow, and usually located at every important intersection in the cities. The other types of service points include:
packstations which are automated drop-off and collection points, and
in-store options which can be found at convenience stores and supermarkets that advertise they are DHL or Deutsche Post providers i.e. they have a little section in their store for post and packages.
A simple Google Maps search for "Deutsche Post or DHL" will pop up hundreds of options for you.
4. Address System: As I mentioned above, understanding the address system in Germany is very important. You will need to familiarise yourself with how to write addresses on envelopes all over again. German addresses are structured from the most specific to the most general:
recipient's name,
street name,
house number,
postal code,
and city name.
If you are concerned about it, they will just return it to you (with instructions on how to write your addresses properly (no jokes), so always add your return address. To include your return address you would write this in the same format but on the top left-hand corner of the front of the envelope. You can also write "Absender" above it.
The recipient's address is usually positioned on the front, towards the right-hand side of the envelope. The postage stamps or PORTO are on the top right-hand side. Here is an example:
Here is their full guide on how to address all your letters correctly, depending on their format and the destination.
5. Package Delivery: For package deliveries, Deutsche Post DHL Group uses a very reliable tracking system (I have never had anything lost in four years). When sending or receiving a package, you'll receive a unique tracking number that allows you to monitor its status in real-time. This tracking feature gives real peace of mind, especially when sending or receiving more valuable items. If you are sending a package via DHL, again, I recommend getting their App, you can prepare the address for sending on your phone then when you get to the DHL service point you show them the QR code, and they scan it and print it for you, much easier than trying to print it out and stick it on your box, at home.
6. Packstations: In addition to post offices and service points there are an increasing number of packstations strategically placed in convenient locations. These lockers offer a safe and easy way to pick up packages at your convenience, without human interaction, particularly if you're unable to receive deliveries at home. You can also send packages from them.
7. Mail Forwarding: Since your registered address is so important in Germany, when you move house you can register for the mail forwarding service with Deutsche Post. This means that any letters sent to you that don't yet use your new address will be forwarded to your new address for 6 months or longer. Trust me, this is very helpful as there is always someone you forget to notify when you move and this is an easy way you can make sure that any letters you get after the move will still come to you.
In summary, the German postal system is efficient and reliable. With the main system being Deutsche Post DHL Group you can count on timely and secure sending and deliveries of your mail and packages. Once you understand the various mail services, post office locations, and address systems, you can use Munich's postal system easily, with some practice that is. Happy mailing!
*All information sources are linked directly in the post.
*All information is provided to the best of our knowledge as of February 2024, but we are not liable for its accuracy or completeness.
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