German CV Format (Lebenslauf): A Guide for International Applicants
Last reviewed October 2, 2026 · Checked against the official sources listed at the end
Germany has its own CV tradition — the tabular Lebenslauf — and German employers often expect a complete application package rather than a CV alone. Here's what's standard today, what's optional, and what international applicants most often get wrong.
German Lebenslauf (CV) at a glance
- Document name
- Lebenslauf (CV)
- Length
- Usually 1–2 pages, in a clear tabular layout
- Photo
- Not legally required (AGG, 2006) — still common in some sectors
- Date format
- MM/YYYY or DD.MM.YYYY
- Gaps
- Explain gaps briefly; complete timelines are valued
- Language
- German for German-language postings; English is fine for English-language roles
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Build my German CVUse the tabular Lebenslauf layout
A German CV is typically laid out as a table: dates on the left, role and organization on the right, in reverse-chronological order. It is factual and compact — achievements are welcome, but long narrative paragraphs belong in the cover letter (Anschreiben), not the CV.
The photo question
A photo is not a legal requirement. Since the General Equal Treatment Act (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz, AGG) came into force in August 2006, employers may not demand one, and many international and tech companies don't expect it. In practice, photos are still common in more traditional and customer-facing sectors and at many mid-sized companies.
If you include one, use a recent, professional photo (not a selfie). If you're applying to an English-speaking, international or tech employer, leaving it off is perfectly acceptable.
Be precise with dates and gaps
German recruiters read timelines carefully. Give month and year for every position and education entry, and briefly label longer gaps (for example "Relocation to Germany & German language course" or "Parental leave") rather than leaving them unexplained.
Expect to send a full application
Many German employers expect more than a CV. A typical application (Bewerbungsunterlagen) can include a tailored cover letter, the CV, and copies of relevant certificates — degree certificates and, where you have them, employer references (Arbeitszeugnisse). For international degrees, information on recognition can be important, especially in regulated professions.
Language and personal details
Write your application in the language of the job posting. German CVs sometimes still include date of birth and nationality, but neither is required; for international applicants, stating your work-permit or visa status (for example an EU Blue Card) can be more useful than personal details. Signing and dating the CV is a traditional convention that some employers still appreciate, but it isn't required for online applications.
Include
- Contact details (and optionally a professional photo)
- Tabular work history with month/year dates, most recent first
- Education with dates and degrees (and recognition status if relevant)
- Language skills with levels (e.g. CEFR: German B1, English C1)
- IT and professional skills
- Work-permit / visa status if you're not an EU citizen
Leave out
- Unexplained gaps in your timeline
- Long narrative paragraphs (save them for the cover letter)
- Exaggerated language levels — they are often tested in interviews
- Irrelevant personal information (religion, political views)
Section-by-section outline
- Personal/contact details (photo optional)
- Professional experience (Berufserfahrung)
- Education (Ausbildung / Studium)
- Languages (Sprachkenntnisse) with levels
- Skills & certifications (Kenntnisse)
- Optional: interests, place and date + signature