Build a German CV, free and without a subscription trap.
PerfektLebenslauf is an application editor made for Germany: 100+ templates, a DIN 5008 cover letter, a cover page and a live check for gaps, numbers and language levels. The PDF download is free, today and after 14 days too.
- Free PDF download
- No account needed
- Data stays in your browser
- 16 languages, 7 countries
Your AI application assistant
Write in your own language: the assistant turns rough notes into strong, professional sentences and, if you need it, translates them into German with one click. Free, and it never invents facts.
[X %] = a number only you know – fill it in yourself.
Free with a daily limit per person. Your text is only sent when you click ✦ and is not stored.
Write in your language
Type your experience in your native language. One click turns it into polished German or English.
Achievements, not duties
Rewrites bullets with strong verbs and measurable results. Missing figures appear as [placeholders].
Cover letter from the job ad
Paste the ad: company, contact and title are detected, and the draft matches your CV.
Match check
Compares your CV with the ad like an ATS and lists matched and missing keywords.
A finished application in three steps
Pick a template
100+ designs in 17 layout families, from classic German tabular to bento. All of them show your own details instantly.
Fill in and check
You type on the left, the A4 page updates on the right. The check shows what German recruiters expect.
Download the PDF
Cover letter, cover page and CV as one application file, in the order employers expect.
Templates for every industry and country
Classic for public sector and traditional firms, modern for tech and agencies, single-column for applicant tracking systems. Switch designs any time without losing content.
What makes PerfektLebenslauf different
Honestly free
No watermark, no trial that turns into a subscription, no payment details. PerfektLebenslauf runs on voluntary donations.
Live check for Germany
Flags gaps over three months, achievements without numbers, vague language levels and missing recognition of foreign degrees.
DIN 5008 cover letter
Address window, fold marks, subject line and the correct German salutation are set automatically.
AI that doesn't invent
Turns bullet points into achievements, translates into German and drafts a letter from the job ad. Missing figures appear as [placeholders].
Rules for 7 countries
Photo, birth date, signature, date format and length adapt to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK, USA, Türkiye or Europass.
Your data stays with you
Drafts are stored only in your browser. Save them as a file and load them on any device.
The whole application in one design
CV, cover letter and cover page share colours, fonts and header. Your application looks consistent, and you never type anything twice.
How PerfektLebenslauf compares
| PerfektLebenslauf | Typical online builder | |
|---|---|---|
| PDF download | Free | Often paid only |
| Subscription | None | Trials often renew automatically |
| Account required | No | Usually yes |
| Where your data lives | Your browser | Provider's servers |
| German rules | Live check, DIN 5008 | Rarely |
| Interface | 16 languages | Usually one language |
Before paying elsewhere, read the terms: many trial passes turn into a monthly subscription after a few days.
A German application is different
Photo or not, signed or not, one page or two: PerfektLebenslauf knows the differences and switches them with one click.
| Country | Photo | Signature | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deutschland | common | yes | MM/YYYY | 1–2 pages |
| Österreich | common | yes | MM/YYYY | 1–2 pages |
| Schweiz | common | no | MM.YYYY | 1–2 pages |
| United Kingdom | leave out | no | Mon YYYY | 2 pages |
| USA / Canada | leave out | no | Mon YYYY | 1 pages |
| International / Europass | leave out | no | MM/YYYY | 1–2 pages |
| Türkiye | common | no | MM/YYYY | 1–2 pages |
Guides
How to write a German CV (Lebenslauf)
Write a CV for Germany: structure, personal details, photo, gaps, CEFR language levels, converting foreign grades and common mistakes by international applicants.
→German cover letter (Anschreiben): structure and phrases
How to write a German Anschreiben: DIN 5008 layout and the five-part structure taught in B2 'Deutsch im Beruf' courses, with ready-to-use German phrases.
→Cover page (Deckblatt): useful or unnecessary?
When a Deckblatt makes sense in a German application, what goes on it and when to skip it.
→Recognition of foreign degrees in Germany (Anerkennung)
Anerkennung explained: when you need it, anabin and ZAB for university degrees, recognition of vocational training, certified translations, costs and how to show it in your CV.
→Job interview in Germany (Vorstellungsgespräch)
How a German job interview works: typical questions with German phrases, salary questions, video interviews, questions that are not allowed and how to follow up.
→Application documents: what goes into an application?
Checklist for 7 countries: references, recognition, visa.
→Frequently asked questions
Is PerfektLebenslauf really free?
Yes. The editor, all templates and the PDF download are free, with no watermark and no subscription. PerfektLebenslauf is funded by donations; later, discreet ads may appear in the guides, never in the editor.
Do I need an account?
No. Your draft is saved automatically in your browser. Use “Save draft” to keep a file for another device.
Where is my data stored?
Only locally in your browser. When you use an AI feature, that text is sent to our server and the AI provider for processing and is not stored permanently.
Should a German CV have a photo?
In Germany a photo is optional since the AGG anti-discrimination law, but still common. Leave it out for the UK and USA. PerfektLebenslauf sets this per target country.
How long should a German CV be?
One to two A4 pages. The check shows your current page count.
What is DIN 5008?
The German standard for business letters: position of the address field, date and subject line. PerfektLebenslauf applies it automatically.
Can I apply to other countries?
Yes: Austria, Switzerland, UK, USA/Canada, Türkiye or International (Europass). Language, date format and personal details adapt.
How does the AI help work?
It rewrites bullets as measurable achievements, shortens, translates or drafts a cover letter from a job ad. It never invents employers or numbers; missing values appear as [placeholders].
PerfektLebenslauf stays free because people donate
If PerfektLebenslauf helped your job search, a small contribution pays the AI costs for many more applications.