formli AI logo formli AI
Back to Library
🇩🇪 Germany

Nachsendeauftrag Mail Forwarding

Deutsche Post Mail Forwarding

Easy ~10 min MovingMailAddressDeutsche Post

/ What is this form?

The Nachsendeauftrag (mail forwarding order) is a paid service offered by Deutsche Post that redirects all mail addressed to your old German address to your new address for either 6 or 12 months. It is used by approximately 4 million people annually in Germany — people moving within Germany, relocating abroad, or spending extended periods at a second address.

The service covers all mail items processed through the Deutsche Post network: letters, catalogues, registered letters (Einschreiben), and Deutsche Post parcels. Private courier services (DHL parcel service operating independently, Hermes, DPD, UPS) are not covered — those require direct address updates with each sender and shipper.

The Nachsendeauftrag is an essential transitional tool but is not a substitute for directly updating your address with all senders. Important senders (banks, insurance companies, Finanzamt, pension insurance, health insurance) should always receive direct address change notifications, as critical correspondence should not depend on a temporary mail forwarding service.

/ Who needs this form?

  • Anyone moving within Germany who wants to ensure no mail is lost during the transition
  • People relocating abroad who still receive mail in Germany and need it forwarded internationally
  • Students moving between their home address and university address
  • People temporarily staying at a different address for an extended period
  • Anyone who has moved but has not yet updated their address with all senders

/ What you need before you start

Old address (complete, including apartment number)
New address (complete — German or international)
Start date (can be today or up to 30 days in the future)
Payment method (credit card, debit card, PayPal for online; cash or card at Post Office)
€31.90-49.90 depending on duration and setup method

/ Step-by-step guide

1 Choose Setup Method
Set up online at deutschepost.de (cheapest and most convenient), at any Postfiliale (Post Office branch, slightly more expensive), or by sending a paper form by mail. Online setup requires payment by card or PayPal. Post Office accepts cash. Online activation is fastest.
2 Enter Old and New Addresses
Provide your complete old address (including apartment number) and your complete new address. If moving abroad, provide the full foreign address in the country's postal format. The forwarding covers all mail sent to the old address, regardless of the sender.
3 Select Duration and Start Date
Choose 6 months (€31.90 online / €36.90 at post office) or 12 months (€44.90 online / €49.90 at post office). Set a start date up to 30 days in advance. The service can also be set up retroactively if you forgot before moving — up to 90 days after the move.
4 Confirm and Update Senders Directly
After activating the Nachsendeauftrag, use the remaining time to update your address directly with all important senders: banks, insurance companies, Finanzamt, employers, subscription services, and healthcare providers. The Nachsendeauftrag is a safety net — not a permanent solution.

/ Key fields explained

Field What to enter Common mistake
Alte Anschrift (Old Address) Your complete old German postal address: Vorname, Nachname, Straße + Hausnummer, PLZ (postal code), Ort (city). Include the apartment/flat number (Wohnungsnummer) if relevant. Omitting the apartment number in a multi-unit building — without it, the post carrier cannot determine which unit to redirect from and may not activate forwarding for your specific mailbox.
Neue Anschrift (New Address) Your complete new address. For international addresses: use the standard format of your destination country. Deutsche Post handles international forwarding but it takes longer than domestic. Using an unofficial abbreviation or formatting for the new address — use the full official postal format to ensure automated sorting systems correctly route forwarded mail.
Laufzeit (Duration) 6 months or 12 months. Choose 12 months if you know it will take more than 6 months to update all your senders (common for business correspondence and subscription services). Choosing 6 months and then finding it expired before all senders are updated — it's cheaper to set up 12 months from the start than to discover expired forwarding when important mail is lost.

/ Common mistakes to avoid

Relying solely on the Nachsendeauftrag instead of updating key senders directly — banks, insurers, and the Finanzamt must be updated directly.
Setting the start date after the actual move date — mail sent between your move date and the Nachsendeauftrag start date will not be forwarded and may be returned.
Not setting up forwarding for the whole household — if multiple people with different surnames live together, each person may need their own Nachsendeauftrag.
Not following up when important mail doesn't arrive — forwarding is not 100% reliable for all mail types. Critical documents should be tracked through direct sender notification.

/ Frequently asked questions

Does the Nachsendeauftrag cover DHL parcels?

This depends on whether DHL is operating as Deutsche Post (same network) or as a separate DHL parcel service. Deutsche Post branded parcels are covered. DHL Paket shipments from online retailers are generally covered too. However, some private DHL B2C shipments may not be covered — contact Deutsche Post for clarification.

Can I set up a Nachsendeauftrag for someone else?

Yes — for family members living at the same address, a single Nachsendeauftrag covering the household can include all family names. For individuals at a separate address, they must set up their own.

What happens after the Nachsendeauftrag expires?

Mail is again delivered to the old address (which may now have different occupants) or returned to sender. It is critical to update all senders before the forwarding expires.

How long does activation take?

Online setup: typically active within 3-5 working days. Post Office setup: similar activation time. There is no same-day activation — plan accordingly when setting the start date.