Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, mit Bezug auf

Place this entire phrase at the very top of your document. Always put a comma after the word Herren. Here is the golden rule: the next line starts lowercase. Even though it is a new paragraph, it follows a comma. This is a classic German grammar trap you must avoid. For example: ...mit Bezug auf unser Telefonat, möchte ich.... The word möchte stays lowercase. It feels weird, but it is the only correct way.

Use this for any official Amt or government office business. It is perfect for banks, insurance companies, or large universities. If you are applying for a job, use this opening. It works perfectly when writing to a general customer service address. It sets a respectful and professional tone from the start. Use it when you want to be taken seriously by a big organization. It signals that you understand German business etiquette perfectly.

Never use this with your friends or close family members. They will think you are being sarcastic or very angry. Avoid it if you actually know the person's last name. If you know it is Mr. Weber, use Sehr geehrter Herr Weber. It is also too stiff for a quick text or Slack. Do not use it in a casual startup environment unless necessary. Save this "big gun" for the formal moments of your life.

Germany has a very strong and distinct Sie-Kultur or formal culture. Professional distance is not seen as cold, but as respectful. This specific phrase has survived for many decades without changing. It provides a safe social script for everyone involved. You can almost never go wrong by being too formal in Germany. It reflects the high value placed on order, structure, and hierarchy. It is the linguistic equivalent of a perfectly filed folder.

If you know the person, use Sehr geehrte Frau Müller instead. For a slightly softer, more modern tone, try Guten Tag. Some modern tech companies might accept Hallo zusammen in emails. If you want to sound extremely old-school, you could use Hochachtungsvoll later. However, mit freundlichen Grüßen is the standard way to end. If you are writing to a specific department, mention it clearly. You might say Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren der Personalabteilung.