Why the letter has survived in Germany
Whether email or paper is needed depends on the request. German text form can be satisfied by a readable email; statutory written form generally requires a handwritten signature. Check the applicable requirements rather than assuming that only post or only email will do.
The problem isn't the letter itself, but everything around it: a printer with an empty cartridge, no matching envelope, no stamp in the house, and the nearest postbox with a collection at 3.30pm. That whole chain can be outsourced completely.
The process in five steps
- Write the text. You type the letter's content into a browser-based editor — including bold text, bullet lists and paragraphs.
- Add the addresses. Sender and recipient are placed in the standardised address field so the letter is correctly visible through a window envelope.
- Check the preview. A page-accurate A4 view shows exactly how the printed sheet will look — including page breaks.
- Place the order and pay. The document becomes a PDF, which is handed over to the print centre. Payment runs through a secure checkout page.
- Production and posting. Printing, folding, insertion into a DIN-long window envelope, franking and handover to the postal network.
At briefsende.de, this whole process takes just a few minutes in practice. The price is €2.99 per letter for up to three pages, including postage, printing and envelope.
Is a letter ordered online legally valid?
An online letter can be used for many requests. Whether it is legally sufficient depends on the required form and, where relevant, provable receipt. A printed scan of a signature does not satisfy statutory written form requiring a handwritten original.
What matters is the signature wherever the law requires the written form under § 126 of the German Civil Code (BGB) — for example, termination of employment relationships and residential tenancies. In those cases, the original must be signed by hand.
When does the letter arrive?
| Step | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Order to production | depends on processing and order receipt |
| Handover to the postal network | after production; separate from placing an order |
| Domestic delivery | allow several working days; no individual delivery guarantee |
For time-sensitive letters, the same rule applies: order early. Delays in the delivery network are rare but never entirely ruled out. More on delivery times and letter types can be found in our article on postage and letter types.
Data protection: where does the data go?
A letter often contains sensitive information — contract numbers, health data, addresses. Make sure that processing and printing take place in Germany, or at least within the EU, that a data processing agreement is offered, and that the PDF files of your mailings can be deleted again after production.
Who benefits most from sending letters online
- Private individuals without a printer who need an important letter two or three times a year.
- Freelancers and small businesses who need to send reminders and invoices by post but don't want to maintain a mailbox.
- People abroad who need to write to German authorities or landlords.
- Anyone facing a deadline who still needs to post something today and has no postbox nearby with a late collection.
Checklist before sending
- Is the recipient's address complete, including the correct postcode?
- Is the sender's address included, so an undeliverable letter is returned?
- Is the subject line meaningful, without the word "Subject"?
- Is the contract, customer or reference number stated?
- Is the date and signature present?
- Has the preview been checked — does everything fit on a maximum of three pages?
Sending a letter online: common questions
Can I post a real letter without owning a printer?
Yes. You create the text digitally and commission printing and postal delivery. Check the recipient address carefully; spelling errors can cause delays or non-delivery.
Does a printed name count as a signature?
Only where a handwritten signature is not required. German text form and statutory written form are different. For a cancellation, check the type of contract first.
Does the order prove delivery?
No. Ordering, postal handover and receipt are separate events. A PDF records the wording, not when the recipient received the letter.
Create your letter and check the address
Use the letter editor or choose a letter template. Before paying, check the content, address and any signature requirements.