- Price
- €7.95incl. VAT, 2 pages included
- Delivery time
- Next business dayusually, after handover to the post
- Proof
- Delivery recordinto the letterbox, + tracking
- Handed to the post
- Upload by 12:00Central European Time on a business day, posted the same day
- Counts as
- Domestic registered mailprinted and posted in Germany
Does a Mahnung have to go by registered mail?
No. German law sets no form for a payment reminder. An email, a letter or even a call can be enough, as long as it clearly asks for the payment that is due.
But the debtor is only in default once the reminder arrives. If they deny receiving it, you have to prove it. That is why many creditors send the reminder meant to trigger default as registered mail (Einschreiben).
What does default give you?
From default you can claim interest: five percentage points above the base rate, or nine where no consumer is involved. If the debtor is not a consumer, a statutory lump sum for collection costs is added.
Costs caused by the default, such as a lawyer or a collection agency, can also be claimed as damages. The reminder that triggers default does not count.
What does Einschreiben Einwurf prove?
It records posting and the drop into the letterbox. In court the tracking status alone is not always enough: in 2025 the Federal Labour Court held that it does not replace the delivery record. If there is a dispute, ask Deutsche Post for the delivery record (Auslieferungsbeleg).
When is the debtor in default?
| Case | Default from |
|---|---|
| Claim due, no date agreed | Receipt of the reminder |
| Payment date fixed by the calendar, such as 15 March | The day after that date, without a reminder |
| Invoice to a business | At the latest 30 days after the due date and receipt of the invoice |
| Invoice to a consumer | After 30 days only if the invoice points out that consequence |
| Debtor seriously and finally refuses to pay | At once, without a reminder |
Often no reminder is needed at all. The cases at a glance:
How do you send the reminder by registered mail?
- Write the reminderWith the invoice number, amount and a payment deadline.
- Upload it as a PDFWith the debtor's address in the window area.
- Posted the same dayWhen uploaded by 12:00 Central European time on a business day.
- Keep your proofUntil you are paid, also for a later court payment order.
Sample payment reminder in German
It does not have to be called a Mahnung. It only has to ask clearly for payment. In German, for a debtor in Germany. Replace the parts in brackets.
[Ihr Name oder Ihre Firma]
[Anschrift]
[Schuldner]
[Anschrift]
[Ort], [Datum]
Mahnung: Rechnung Nr. [Nummer] vom [Datum]
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
auf meine Rechnung Nr. [Nummer] vom [Datum] über [Betrag] Euro ist bis heute keine Zahlung eingegangen.
Bitte überweisen Sie den offenen Betrag bis zum [Datum] auf dieses Konto:
IBAN: [IBAN]
Geht die Zahlung bis dahin nicht ein, beantrage ich ohne weitere Ankündigung einen Mahnbescheid.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
[Name]
Frequently asked questions
Does a Mahnung have to take a set form?
No. German law sets no form. Registered mail helps prove receipt, and so the start of default.
Is a reminder always required?
No. It is not needed, among other cases, where the payment date is fixed by the calendar or the debtor finally refuses to pay.
How many reminders do I have to send?
One is enough to put the debtor in default. More are common but not required.
What interest can I claim?
From default, five percentage points above the base rate, or nine where no consumer is involved.
What comes after the reminder?
If the debtor still does not pay, the German court payment order procedure (Mahnverfahren) is a common next step.
Does registered mail prove the contents?
No registered letter proves the contents. Your proof PDF does contain the printed letter, so you can show what you sent.