Instant download · Editable Word + fillable PDF
German letters are a different sport
I have lived in Germany for over 12 years. My German is fine for ordering coffee and arguing about the Deutsche Bahn. A formal letter is something else.
You need the right greeting, the right verb, the right tone. A wrong word in a letter to your landlord or the Ausländerbehörde can cost real money or real time. So most of us do the same thing:
- Paste an English draft into a translator
- Hope it does not sound rude
- Ask a German friend (again)
- Send it and worry for a week
There is a better way.
What every template gives you
An editable Word letter
A clean .docx for every template, with the blanks highlighted. Open it, type your details, print or send.
A fillable PDF
The same 25 letters as one fillable PDF, with the English meaning, the Watch out notes and the phrase bank beside each one.
The English meaning
So you know exactly what you are sending, and what you are agreeing to.
A Watch out box
The deadline, whether it must be on paper or signed, and when to use registered mail.
The Word letters are German only, so what you print or send is clean and ready for your landlord, boss or the authorities. The PDF stays your reference for the English translation, the Watch out notes and the phrase bank. Plus a guide to formal letters (layout, and how to send them with proof), a glossary of 50 words, and a checklist to run through before you send.
What is inside
25 letters and emails in five sections.
- Report a defect to your landlord
- End your lease
- Request the bill's documents
- Dispute the utilities bill
- Ask permission to sublet
- Ask for your deposit back
- Sick notice to your employer
- Resign from your job
- Vacation request
- Request a reference letter
- Ask for a raise
- Cancel a contract: phone, internet, gym
- Cancel after a price increase
- Reimbursement from health insurance
- Report a claim
- Excuse your child from school
- Ask about a daycare place
- Request time off school
- Complain about a defective product
- Appeal an official decision
- Ask for an appointment
- Dispute a payment reminder
- Contest a fine
- Ask for a deadline extension
- Formal complaint
See one before you buy
This is how every template looks, including the warning you would otherwise find out the hard way.
Do not just stop paying part of your rent before getting advice. Wrongly reducing rent can lead to a termination of your lease.
Who this is for
This is for you if
- You live in Germany and your German is okay, but not “write a formal letter” okay
- You are tired of paying a translator or asking friends for every letter
- You want to send the letter today, not next week
- You want to pick up the German phrases as you go
Probably not for you if
- You need personal legal advice for your situation
- You already write formal German without thinking
- You want a language course. This is a tool, not a course
How it works
Open the Word letter you need (or the fillable PDF). Each file is named for its situation.
Fill in the highlighted blanks with your details, or copy the German text into your email.
Check the Watch out box in the PDF for the deadline and how to send it.
Send it and keep proof. Ask for a written confirmation.
Hi, I am Justin
I am an American who has lived in Germany for over 12 years. On YouTube, Instagram and TikTok I am @justinvsgermany, and here I break down what life in Germany really costs.
I built this kit because I got tired of Googling the same letters. If you have ever stared at a Bescheid and wondered what to write back, this is for you.
Get the kit
The Germany Letter Kit
one time payment
- 25 editable Word (.docx) letters, one file per situation
- The same 25 templates as a fillable PDF, in German and English
- Instant download
- Formal letter guide: layout, and how to send it with proof
- 50 word glossary of words you will meet in German letters
- A before you send checklist
Questions
Is this legal advice?
No. These are general templates and general information. German rules and deadlines depend on your situation, your contract and your state. For important matters (your home, your job, your residence permit), check with a Mieterverein, the Verbraucherzentrale, a counselling centre or a lawyer before you send anything.
Do I have to speak German?
No. Every letter has an English translation, so you know exactly what you are sending.
How up to date is it?
Last updated October 2026. Each template shows the main deadline or rule to check before you send.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. The Word (.docx) letters open and edit in the free Word, Google Docs or Pages apps on any phone, so you can fill in the blanks and send from your phone. The PDF opens on any device too; its yellow fill in boxes work best on a computer (Adobe Reader, Chrome, Edge, Mac Preview).
Can I edit these in Word or Google Docs?
Yes. Every letter is a standard .docx file, so it opens in Microsoft Word, the free Google Docs and Apple Pages. The spots to fill in are highlighted; replace them, delete anything that does not apply, then print or send. The letters are German only and carry no branding, so what you send looks like a normal formal letter.
Can I send these as emails?
Many of them, yes: sick notice, appointment request, vacation. Some must be on paper with a signature, such as resigning from a job or ending a lease. The Watch out box in each template tells you which.
Does it cover my state or city?
The templates are for all of Germany. Some rules differ by state, for example school leave. Where that matters, the Watch out box says so.
I am on a visa or applying for citizenship. Will this help?
The kit includes letters for the Ausländerbehörde and other authorities: appointment requests, deadline extensions and appeals. It does not explain immigration law. For that, see the free citizenship checklist.
What if it is not useful to me?
If the kit is not useful to you, email me within 14 days of purchase and I will refund you in full, no questions asked. See the refund policy for how to ask.
Can I share it with friends?
It is for you and your household. If a friend wants a copy, send them the link.
How do I pay and what do I get?
Checkout is handled by Lemon Squeezy, which processes the payment and EU VAT. Straight after payment you get a download with the 25 editable Word (.docx) letters and the fillable PDF.
General information only, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Last updated October 2026. The kit is for personal use and may not be resold or shared publicly.