Digital library

The Onleihe is Goethe-Institut’s digital library (eLibrary). More than 23,000 German language eBooks, audio books, movies, materials for German language learners, magazines and newspapers are available for downloading from the Onleihe.

Browse the catalogue

Cover - Onleihe: The Digital Library Illustration: Maria Tran Larsen © Goethe-Institut

Anywhere, anytime, free of charge

With our Onleihe you can borrow media 24 hours a day, 7 days a week simply by pressing a button. A return is not necessary. After the end of the loan period, the file can no longer be accessed.

Anyone with permanent residence outside Germany can use our eLibrary. Online registration is fast and easy. Library membership is not required.

After registration and activation, you can use the Onleihe media on your PC, laptop and mobile devices (Android and iOS), anytime and anywhere.

German Cinema

Watch over 100 movies for free in our Onleihe!
You will need a computer to watch the movies.

Illustration: Menschen auf Sofas vor einem riesigen Laptop und einem riesigen Bildschirm. © Goethe-Institut

Steps to get started

To use the Onleihe, a one-time registration via our website My Goethe.de is necessary. If you do not have an account, please register. Registration and use of the service are free of charge.

After logging in, go to the menu item "My Onleihe" and click on "Log in".

Activate Onleihe

Open the Onleihe website to complete the activation process.

Confirm activation

Visit our digital library "Onleihe" and borrow an item from our collection.

Onleihe-Catalogue

You can now read borrowed e-books, e-papers and e-magazines directly in your browser. Find more information in the Onleihe help section.

Onleihe Help

Download the app from the app store.

Onleihe on iTunes

Onleihe on Google Play Store

Open the app after installation.

LOG IN TO ONLEIHE

Open the menu of the Onleihe app (three bars on the top left).

Select Goethe-Institut as your library.
Log in with your login data for My Goethe.de.

DOWNLOAD MEDIA

You are now logged in! Select the menu item "Browse" to search and download media.

ACCEPT TERMS OF USE

The first time you download media, you will automatically be asked for your consent to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Please confirm your agreement.

ADOBE ID

We recommend reading eBooks, eMagazines and ePapers with the internal reader of the Onleihe app! If you want to read eBooks, eMagazines and ePaper with an external reader app (such as Aldiko, BlueFire or PocketBook), you will need an Adobe ID. You must enter your Adobe ID when you download media for the first time. If you don't already have an Adobe ID, you can get one for free. You do not need to enter your Adobe ID for all subsequent media downloads.

Create Adobe ID

See the Onleihe help for more information on using the Onleihe on e-readers:

Onleihe help: e-reader use

Onleihe

Logo der Onleihe

Would you like to read German-language e-books and newspapers, listen to audio books, watch films online or search for materials for learners of German? Install the Onleihe app on your smartphone.

Download now

Onleihe help and support

Find step-by-step instructions, tips and tricks, and FAQs in Onleihe Help.

Onleihe help pages

If you have difficulties with the activation or with the use, please contact us via our support form. We will be happy to help you!

We hope you enjoy browsing through our digital media offering.

Digital library

Anywhere, anytime, free of charge

German Cinema

Steps to get started

Registration

Borrowing on PC/laptop

Borrow with the iOS/Android app