Do German employers still want a cover letter?
Decode German application instructions, decide whether an optional letter adds value, and check which certificates and references to attach.
By DraftApply · · 5 min read
Short answer
A cover letter is part of the usual German application described by the Federal Employment Agency. But the employer’s instructions decide: send one when requested, leave it out when the ad says “ohne Anschreiben”, and use an optional letter only when it adds relevant context.
Read the application instructions first
| The ad or portal says | Plain English | What to send |
|---|---|---|
| The ad or portal saysVollständige Bewerbungsunterlagen | Plain EnglishComplete application documents | What to sendA cover letter, CV and relevant certificates. Follow any explicit attachment list and file instructions. |
| The ad or portal saysAnschreiben, Lebenslauf und Zeugnisse | Plain EnglishCover letter, CV and certificates | What to sendExactly those documents. Check which certificates are relevant or named. |
| The ad or portal saysKurzbewerbung | Plain EnglishShort application | What to sendA cover letter and CV. The Federal Employment Agency describes this smaller package. |
| The ad or portal saysAnschreiben (optional) | Plain EnglishThe letter is not listed as mandatory | What to sendInclude it if it adds useful context. “Optional” is not a guarantee about the hiring outcome. |
| The ad or portal saysOhne Anschreiben / Lebenslauf genügt | Plain EnglishWithout a cover letter / a CV is enough | What to sendNo extra letter. Follow any other requested fields or attachments. |
| The ad or portal saysNo letter upload field | Plain EnglishThe portal defines the available submission | What to sendFollow the fields. Use a free-text box for its stated purpose, not automatically as a hidden letter field. |
This follows the Federal Employment Agency’s explanation of full and short applications. A specific employer’s instructions take precedence over a generic document checklist. If the ad and portal contradict each other, ask the contact named in the vacancy.
When does an optional letter add something?
Read your CV next to the vacancy. Is there a relevant connection that is difficult to understand from the facts alone? An optional letter can explain a move, transferable experience or a language gap. It should not simply repeat the entire CV.
| Your situation | What the CV can state | What a letter can explain |
|---|---|---|
| Your situationApplying from another country | What the CV can stateCurrent location, relocation willingness and availability | What a letter can explainWhy this role fits your move. Do not imply that willingness to move establishes work authorisation. |
| Your situationChanging field | What the CV can stateActual roles, projects and skills | What a letter can explainHow one piece of that experience relates to a responsibility in the new role. |
| Your situationBelow the requested language level | What the CV can stateYour actual language level | What a letter can explainAcknowledge the gap and ask whether the current level could work. The employer can still require the stated level. |
| Your situationThe CV already makes the fit clear | What the CV can stateRelevant recent work and qualifications | What a letter can explainIf you have no useful context to add and the letter is optional, you can leave it out. |
A relocation and language-gap example
Aisha’s fictional application is for a Berlin role while she lives in London. These consecutive sentences come from her German cover letter:
Für die Stelle bei Spreeblick Software ist ein Umzug von London nach Berlin für mich möglich. Ich arbeite auf Englisch auf muttersprachlichem Niveau und auf Deutsch auf B2-Niveau. Ihre C1-Anforderung erfülle ich derzeit noch nicht; gerne würde ich klären, ob mein aktuelles Niveau für die Zusammenarbeit ausreicht.In English: “For the position at Spreeblick Software, I am able to relocate from London to Berlin. I work in English at native level and in German at B2 level. I do not yet meet your C1 requirement; I would welcome the chance to discuss whether my current level is sufficient for the collaboration.”
This explains relocation willingness and the language gap. It says nothing about work authorisation or a start date. Add those details separately if requested, using your actual circumstances.
Read and download the complete letter, with English explanationsWhat if you do not have German-style references?
Zeugnisse can include qualifications and employer references (Arbeitszeugnisse). Make it in Germany recommends attaching relevant qualifications and any references or recommendation letters you have.
Send the relevant documents available to you. If the employer specifically requests a document you do not have, ask what they accept instead. “References available on request” does not automatically replace a required attachment. Do not write your own document and present it as an employer’s reference.
The same official guide recommends translations into German or English. Check the employer’s specific language and certification requirements before arranging a translation.
If you send a letter, make it useful
- I checked the requested documents and application language.
- I chose one relevant example and explained the connection to this job.
- The letter adds context rather than repeating every CV entry.
- Dates, roles, achievements and language levels match my CV.
- I attached the requested documents or clarified a missing one.
- I followed the portal’s fields, file format and size limits.
Our worked example uses one page and four short body paragraphs. That is an example structure, not a requirement to force every letter into the same four paragraphs. If the employer requests a separate motivation page, use the supplementary motivation example.
Draft a letter for your own vacancy
The free preview starts from a job ad. In your workspace, you can also use your CV. Review the draft and replace unsupported claims before sending.
No account needed: start with a vacancy and a cover-letter draft.
Sources and example context
Sources checked . The official guidance supports the document advice; our explanations and fictional examples show how to apply it. They do not establish hiring outcomes.