A rented imprint address can be legally safe. What matters, however, is not just the address itself but the process behind it: can mail be reliably delivered, accepted and forwarded?
The legal basis for this is above all § 5 DDG (German Digital Services Act) and, for editorial content, additionally § 18 MStV (German State Media Treaty). Both require a genuine, reachable address.
This article focuses on the criteria by which you can recognise a trustworthy provider. What a rented address is permitted to do in principle – for example for business registration and the commercial register – is covered in the practical check: is a rented business address legal? Which details belong in the imprint in 2026 is explained in the article on the imprint obligation 2026 under the DDG .
When an imprint address service is legally safe
- A genuine address instead of a PO box: A pure PO box solution is not sufficient.
- Clear contractual permission to use the address: It must be agreed in writing that the address may be used in the imprint.
- Reliable delivery: The service provider must genuinely be able to accept and forward mail.
- Clean identification: The assignment to the customer must be unambiguous.
- Traceable process: Documented procedures are required (e.g. power of attorney, data protection, forwarding).
Case law shows that pure forwarding models without robust deliverability are risky, e.g. BGH, V ZR 210/22. In c/o arrangements, too, what counts is actual reachability (BGH, VIII ZR 262/20). A practical assessment can also be found at eRecht24 and IT-Recht Kanzlei.
When a service provider is not legally safe
- When only a PO box is provided.
- When there is no clear written permission to use the address in the imprint.
- When no reliable mail acceptance has been arranged.
- When there are no processes for power of attorney, data protection and forwarding.
- When it is unclear what happens to the address when the contract ends.
Why our service meets these criteria
We have built these points into our process and into our terms and conditions:
- Contractually regulated imprint use: The use of the address for imprints and online presences is regulated in the terms and conditions (§ 3 para. 2).
- Regulated mail acceptance and forwarding: Acceptance and forwarding are described as a specific service (§ 3 para. 1 and 3).
- Mandatory documents before the start: A postal power of attorney and a data processing agreement (AVV/DPA) are required before use (§ 10 para. 4).
- Clear rules at the end of the contract: The right to use the address expressly ends when the contract ends (§ 5).
This means we meet the decisive requirements: a genuine address, a clear legal basis, a documented delivery process and traceable responsibilities. How the business address with digital inbox works day to day is shown on the service page; the imprint link for social media profiles is included in the Pro plan.
Conclusion
An imprint address service is legally safe when it offers more than an address: namely a robust, documented delivery process. That is exactly what our legally reviewed process provides.
Note: This article does not replace individual legal advice. If you need a binding assessment for your specific case, the final design of your imprint should additionally be reviewed by a lawyer.
