Deutsche Post’s ‘Mobile Briefmarke’ service lets you buy and use a stamp directly from your smartphone. No printer, no fuss – just your phone and a pen.

Ever found yourself in need of a postage stamp when the post office is closed?

If you don’t have a stamp or a printer handy and you need to get something in the mail quickly, you can use DHL’s app to quickly pay for your postage.

The mobile stamp (Mobile Briefmarke) service is part of the Post & DHL app – available in German and English – which you can download for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

The app also lets users access other postal & parcel services, including package tracking and location finders.

Once you have the app, open it and select the right postage for your standard letter or postcard. Instead of printing a sticker or label, you choose the option “Code zum Beschriften” or “Code for manual labelling”.

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After paying electronically, with PayPal or a credit card, the app generates a unique digital code starting with #PORTO followed by an eight-digit string of numbers.

Then you just write the code by hand with a pen in the top-right corner of your envelope or postcard, exactly where you’d normally place a stamp.

That’s it — your letter is now stamped and ready for any post box in Germany.

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There are no extra fees involved in using the service and none of the normal hassle around buying stamps or printing QR codes at home.

What else do I need to know?

The code you get is valid for 14 days and only works for letters and postcards sent to addresses within Germany.

In addition, the service doesn’t cover parcels or registered mail, which require a QR code or printed label.

Where can I buy physical stamps?

Of course, there are still plenty of options if you have an urge to keep using physical postage stamps, including Deutsche Post offices, many of which have stamp vending machines nearby for out-of-hours purchases.

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You can also buy stamps at some kiosks, Spätis, supermarkets, and newsstands and smaller retail outlets – basically anywhere you see the yellow Deutsche Post logo or DHL branding.