Postal delivery jobs in Germany, primarily with Deutsche Post DHL Group, involve sorting and delivering mail and parcels. For foreign workers from outside the EU, securing such a job is possible but follows a strict legal and linguistic process. Germany has a structured pathway for skilled workers, but postal delivery is considered an unskilled or semi-skilled role. This means the standard EU Blue Card for highly qualified professionals does not apply. Instead, the route is through a national visa for vocational training or a specific work visa.
Advertisement
Table of Contents
Understanding the Visa Pathways
There are two primary visa routes relevant to postal work, depending on whether you have formal qualifications.
1. Visa for Vocational Training (Ausbildung) – The Most Direct Path
What it is: Germany has a dual education system where you combine apprenticeship (Ausbildung) with work. Deutsche Post offers apprenticeships for “Postal Service Professionals” (Briefdienst-Fachkraft).
Process: You apply and are accepted for a 3-year apprenticeship contract. With this contract, you apply for a Visa for Vocational Training.
Requirements:
B1 level German (mandatory – for understanding safety instructions, routes, and customer interaction).
A recognized school-leaving certificate (equivalent to the German Mittlere Reife).
An apprenticeship contract from Deutsche Post or a subcontractor.
Benefit: This is a stable route that leads to a recognized German qualification and potential long-term employment.
2. The Skilled Worker Visa (for Recognized Training) or The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
If you already have a vocational qualification (in any field) that is recognized in Germany, you can apply for a Skilled Worker Visa to seek work. A postal delivery job might be an initial job, but the visa is based on your existing skills.
The Opportunity Card (2024 onwards): This new points-based visa allows you to come to Germany to look for a job for up to one year. To qualify, you need to score points based on language skills, qualifications, experience, etc. You could use this to find a postal job, but you must prove you can support yourself financially during the search.
3. EU Blue Card – Not Applicable
This is for university graduates in high-demand fields with high salaries. A postal delivery job does not meet the criteria.
Who Delivers Mail in Germany?
The workforce consists mainly of:
German and EU citizens (who have free movement for work).
Non-EU workers with appropriate visas, often those who came through family reunification or as recognized refugees.
Apprentices in the dual system.
The Critical Requirement: German Language Skills
This is the most important factor. You cannot deliver mail or interact with customers in Germany without functional German. Minimum B1 level is an absolute baseline, and many employers will expect B2 for smoother integration.
Step-by-Step Process for a Non-EU Applicant
Learn German to B1/B2 Level: Start this in your home country. Obtain a Goethe Institut or Telc certificate.
Get Your Qualifications Recognized: Have your school certificates assessed by the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) to see their German equivalence.
Search for an Apprenticeship or Job:
Apprenticeship: Check the Deutsche Post DHL career website for “Ausbildung” positions. Apply from abroad.
Direct Job: Look for “Postzusteller/in” or “Paketzusteller/in” jobs on portals like StepStone.de, Indeed.de, or with subcontractors like DPD, Hermes, or Amazon Logistics. Be clear about your visa need.
Secure a Contract: Obtain a formal job or apprenticeship offer.
Apply for the Correct Visa: At the German Embassy/Consulate in your home country, apply for either the Visa for Vocational Training (with an apprenticeship contract) or a Job Seeker Visa/Opportunity Card to search first.
Move, Register, and Work: Once in Germany, register your address (Anmeldung), convert your visa to a residence permit, and begin work.
Realities of the Job
Physical Demand: Involves early starts, heavy lifting, and cycling/walking in all weather conditions.
Pay: Governed by collective bargaining agreements (Tarifvertrag). Entry-level pay for a postal worker starts at approximately €2,800 – €3,200 gross per month.
Integration: The job requires understanding local addressing systems, customs, and basic interactions.
Important Warnings
Beware of Fake Agents: No legitimate agent can “guarantee” a postal job in Germany without the language requirement and proper visa process.
Do Not Work on a Tourist Visa: It is illegal and will result in deportation and a long-term EU entry ban.
Subcontractor Caution: Some parcel delivery subcontractors have poor working conditions. Research the employer carefully.
Final Practical Advice
Focus 100% on German: Your success depends on this. Invest in quality language courses.
Target the Apprenticeship Route: An Ausbildung with Deutsche Post is the most secure long-term path and provides training, a salary, and a recognized qualification.
Use Official Channels:
Jobs: Deutsche Post Karriere website, Federal Employment Agency (BA)
Visas: Make it in Germany (official portal)
Language: Goethe-Institut
Consider Related Logistics Jobs: Warehouse work in large logistics hubs (like DHL hubs in Leipzig or Bonn) might have slightly lower initial language barriers and can be a stepping stone.
Conclusion
Postal delivery jobs in Germany are accessible to foreign non-EU workers, but the barrier to entry is significant: functional German language skills and navigating the correct visa pathway. The apprenticeship (Ausbildung) system offers the most structured route. For those without formal qualifications, the new Opportunity Card provides a window to enter and search for such jobs. This is not a simple “sponsorship” process but a structured immigration route for vocational work. Success requires patience, investment in language learning, and careful adherence to German immigration procedures.
Disclaimer
This job information is shared for educational and informational purposes only.
Any discussion of visa categories is based on general immigration laws and publicly available information
