The most important facts summarized
- “Anmeldung” means the document you use to register at your new home address
- The “Anmeldung” should take place within 14 days of your move
- It is mandatory for everyone living in Germany. Proof of residence is also required for many things. You won’t get very far without the “Anmeldung”.
How to register your address in Germany and receive your application
The first thing people who move to Germany will hear is the word “Anmeldung“. It might sound scary at first. Don’t worry, it’s just the German word for “you have to register your address“. You can think of it as your legal way of saying, “Hey, Germany, I live here now!“
Simply put, you have to go through the registration process within 14 days of your move. To do this, you need to register your address and receive a confirmation of registration or Meldebescheinigung. This is an important document that you will need along with your health insurance in order to get a residence permit and complete everything else that requires proof of residence.
Here is an overview of how to do this.
Required documents & steps
Documents:
- Valid passport or identity card (if EU citizen)
- Rental agreement from your landlord (landlord’s confirmation), normally a signed tenancy agreement. Preferably the original and not a copy. Ask for this from your landlord or the main responsible roommate.
- Registration form, either called “Meldeschein” or “Anmeldung”. These are only available in German, so fill them out beforehand. Here you can find help on how to fill in the form correctly (click here)
- [Your marriage certificate – Bring the original or a certified copy. If it is not in German, you may need a certified translation. Certificates in English are usually accepted.
Steps:
- Book an appointment (at the town hall/”Bürgeramt” or residents’ registration office in your town)
- Prepare documents
- Go to the citizens’ office
Why you need to register
It is a legal requirement that all residents must register.
You must register your address to…
- Use government services: Without a registered address, you can’t start a business, receive child benefits and more.
- Get a confirmation of registration: You sometimes need this to prove your address, open a bank account, get a SIM card and a few other things.
- Getting a tax number: You will receive your tax number by mail about 4 weeks after your registration. The tax number is very important. You can’t get a tax number without registering.
- Getting paid: Your employer needs your tax number to calculate your income tax. If you don’t have a tax number, you will pay more income tax, which means your payslips will be much smaller. You won’t lose the money, but you will have to file a tax return to get it back.
- Applying for a residence permit: The Immigration Office requires your registration. The tenancy agreement and the landlord’s confirmation of residence are not always sufficient.
Step 1: Book an appointment
First you need to book an appointment. Search online for the Bürgeramt, Rathaus or Einwohnermeldeamt in your city and book an appointment.
To book an appointment you can:
- Book an appointment online
- Write an email to the relevant citizens’ office
- Go to the citizens’ office in person
Pro tip: Book the appointment as far in advance as possible, as you may not get an available appointment for weeks. Also keep an eye out for appointments at short notice, as appointments are often canceled. Don’t limit yourself to nearby locations; you can go to any office in your city.
Step 2: Prepare documents
Now let’s talk about the paperwork. As already mentioned you will need:
- Valid passport or identity card (if EU citizen)
- Rental agreement from your landlord (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung), usually a signed rental agreement. Preferably the original and not a copy. Ask for this from your landlord or the main responsible roommate.
- Registration form, either called “Meldeschein” or “Anmeldung“. These are only available in German, so fill them out beforehand. Here you can find help on how to fill in the form correctly (click here)
- [When you register for the first time] Your marriage certificate – Bring the original or a certified copy. If it is not in German, you may need a certified translation. Certificates in English are usually accepted.
You may also need:
- Residence permit: If you have a residence permit, bring it with you. Your residence permit will contain your old address. They will put a sticker with your new address on it.
- Vehicle documents: If you have a vehicle and it is registered to your old address, bring your registration certificate part 1 with you. You will get a sticker with your new address on it. This costs €10.80 per vehicle.
- Cash or debit card: The registration itself costs nothing, but if you have vehicles, it costs €10.80 per vehicle. You can only pay by cash or debit card. Some citizens’ offices also accept Visa and Mastercard
Download template for the "Anmeldung"
- Official document for registration in Germany
- Explanation of the individual fields in English
Step 3: Go to the Bürgeramt
Go to your appointment at the Bürgeramt, have all your documents with you and arrive early.
The whole process only takes a few minutes and you will receive your stamped certificate immediately.
At the Citizens’ Office, wait until your number is called on the screen and go to the office number given there.
Sit down at the desk, hand in your documents and receive your confirmation of registration.
Keep in mind
- Something to keep in mind is that the entire application process is conducted in German. You might be lucky and get an appointment with an English-speaking employee, but there’s no guarantee.
- We recommend bringing a German-speaking friend or sending a German-speaking person on your behalf. This person will only need a letter signed by you giving your consent, also known as Vollmacht, in addition to the documents listed above.
- Another important piece of information is that there will be a line on your form about your religious affiliation. If you don’t want to pay church tax, which is about 8-9% of your income tax depending on the region, just leave this field blank.
- Lastly, don’t forget to put your name on your new mailbox when you get home, as you will definitely receive mail at your registered address and it will usually be returned to sender if your name is not on it.
- When you move again in the future, you’ll need to update your address the same way.
Summary
The Anmeldung is an important step in obtaining a residence permit and taking care of everything else that requires proof of residence. It is also a legal requirement that all residents must register.
Don’t worry too much if you don’t manage to register within 14 days, but do it as soon as possible.
The most important questions
Can the landlord refuse me the landlord's confirmation of residence? (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
The landlord may not refuse to register you. It is a legal requirement that the landlord issues you with a landlord’s confirmation of residence (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) so that you can register. If the landlord refuses to do so, you should point this obligation out to them. If problems persist, you can contact the relevant citizens’ office or a tenants’ association for support.
What if my name is not on the mailbox?
German apartment buildings very rarely have their own apartment numbers. You therefore have the same address as all the other residents in your building. So if your name is not on your letterbox, you will not receive any mail addressed to you. If you live in a shared flat, for example, you can add “c/o” or “bei” to your address.
It would then look like this:
[Your name]
bei [name of the person on the letterbox]
[street name] [house number]
[zip code] [city]
The name on the letterbox must be a real person, not a company.
Do I have to deregister my old address?
In Germany, you do not normally have to deregister your old address if you move within the country. The registration of your new address with the relevant registration office automatically takes over the deregistration of your old address.
Do I need to speak German?
Do I have to pay church tax?
How much does the Anmeldung cost?
The registration itself is free of charge. There are no fees for registering your address with the Bürgeramt. However, if you have vehicles that need to be re-registered at your new address, this costs €10.80 per vehicle.
