Free download · Word & PDF
Free German CV Template (Lebenslauf) – Word & PDF
A free German CV (Lebenslauf) and cover letter (Anschreiben) template in Word, with a filled-in example and a line-by-line explanation of what German employers expect – written for skilled professionals applying from abroad.
Also available: the filled-in example as PDF (CV + cover letter) and the 12-point German CV checklist (PDF). No sign-up needed.
What goes where in a German CV
The template follows the order German recruiters are used to. Here is what each section is for – and what applicants from abroad most often get wrong.
Persönliche Daten – personal details
Name, address, phone, e-mail and LinkedIn. Add one line with your residence status: EU citizen, EU Blue Card applied for, Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) or the visa you plan to use, plus your earliest start date. German recruiters look for this first – without it, many assume they would have to handle a complicated visa and move on. If you still live abroad, write your current city and country. A photo, date of birth and marital status are optional today; leave them out if you are unsure.
Kurzprofil – short profile
Two or three sentences at the top: your role, years of experience, one achievement and your German level. The first sentence works like a headline, so keep it short (for example “Senior Java developer with a cloud focus.”).
Berufserfahrung – work experience
Newest job first. Dates in the format MM/YYYY – heute (today). Job title in bold, then company, city and country on the next line. Three to five bullet points with concrete results and numbers. Translate job titles into the German or international equivalent instead of word by word – “Associate Consultant II” means nothing to a German reader, “Software Engineer” does.
Ausbildung – education
Degree, grade and university. If your degree is listed as H+ in the anabin database or has been formally recognised, say so in the same line – it answers the recruiter's next question before they ask it.
Sprachkenntnisse – languages
Always use CEFR levels (A1 to C2). “Conversational German” tells an employer nothing; “German B1 (Goethe certificate 2026)” does. Being honest about your level matters: a flawless German CV from someone with A2 German leads to an awkward first phone call.
IT-Kenntnisse / Fachkenntnisse – skills
Grouped and short: languages, tools, certificates. No rating bars or percentages – German recruiters find them meaningless.
Ort, Datum – place and date
German CVs traditionally end with the place and date. A signature is no longer needed for online applications.
Five mistakes that get foreign CVs rejected in Germany
- Sending a US- or UK-style resume. German CVs are tabular: dates on the left, content on the right, reverse chronological order.
- No residence status. If the employer cannot tell whether you need a visa, they often assume the worst and skip your application.
- Gaps without dates. Every period needs a month and year. Unexplained gaps raise more questions than a short honest line.
- Translating job titles literally. Use the title a German employer would understand, not the internal title of your current company.
- Three pages or more. One page for up to about five years of experience, two pages above that. Anything longer gets skimmed, not read.
The German cover letter (Anschreiben)
The cover letter template follows the same rules German HR departments use. The essentials:
- One page, addressed to a named person whenever the job ad gives one (“Sehr geehrte Frau Schneider”).
- A subject line with the exact job title and the reference number from the ad.
- First paragraph: why this job, with one concrete link to your experience – not “I hereby apply”.
- Salary expectation and earliest start date only if the ad asks for them – as a gross annual figure.
- Close with “Mit freundlichen Grüßen” and list your attachments (Anlagen).
Don't want to fill it in yourself?
We turn your existing CV into a German one that fits a specific job ad – checked and released by someone who reads applications on the hiring side in Germany, with every decision explained in your language. From 29 €, delivered within three working days.
Frequently asked questions
Is this German CV template really free?
Yes. Download the Word files, change the text and use them as often as you like. No sign-up, no e-mail address.
Should my CV for Germany be in German or English?
Follow the language of the job ad. If the ad is in English, an English CV in the German structure is fine. If it is in German, apply in German – but only claim the German level you really have.
Do I need a photo on a German CV?
No. A photo is still common in Germany, but it is not required. If you add one, use a neutral, professional picture.
How long should a German CV be?
One page for up to about five years of experience, two pages for more. The template fits on one page as filled in.
Last checked: September 2026.