Send a Letter Without a Stamp: 4 Options in Germany

The letter is written, the envelope sealed — only the stamp is missing. That is no longer a reason to walk to the post office. These four options work without a classic stamp.

You can't skip postage entirely

A letter with no postage at all is usually not delivered normally: it goes back to the sender or the recipient is asked to pay the surcharge — and many refuse. For letters with a deadline that is risky. So you don't need a stamp, but you do need valid postage.

Four ways to pay postage: internet stamp, handwritten code, franking machine and online dispatch — Internet stamp, mobile code, franking at the counter or online dispatch: all four replace the classic stamp.

The four options at a glance

Option	How it works	Best for
Mobile stamp (Handyporto)	Buy a code in the Post & DHL app and write it in the top-right corner of the envelope; the code is only valid for a limited time	Single letters, on the go
Internetmarke	Buy online, print on a label or directly on the envelope	Anyone with a printer
Post office or partner outlet	Hand in the letter at the counter, postage is printed on	Registered mail, international letters, advice
Online printing and posting	Write the letter in the browser; the service prints, frankes and posts it	Anyone without printer, envelope or stamp

Current prices for each letter type are in the postage calculator. Deutsche Post usually charges a small premium for the mobile stamp over a regular one; check the price in the app before buying.

Using the mobile stamp correctly

Envelope with a handwritten postage code next to a smartphone showing the same code — Write the code from the app clearly in the top-right corner — where the stamp would normally go.

Pick the letter type (Standard, Kompakt, Groß or Maxi) — weigh first if there are several sheets.
Buy the code in the app.
Write the code in capital letters in the stamp area, top right, without covering it.
Post the letter within the validity period shown in the app.

No envelope, no stamp: send it online

If there is no printer at home anyway, online dispatch also saves you paper, envelope and the trip to the postbox. Write the letter in the letter editor; postage is included in the price. The process is explained in Send letters online.

Quick check before posting

Size and weight match the chosen letter type.
Complete address — see How to address an envelope in Germany.
Return address on the envelope so undeliverable letters come back.
For deadlines: registered mail at the counter instead of the postbox.