Germany Anmeldung (2024): Your Simple Guide to Registering your Address
Planning on staying in Germany longer than 3 months? You’re going to need to apply for a German Residence Permit and one of the first steps is to complete Anmeldung, or your residence registration in Germany with your new city.
In Germany, there is a regulation called Meldepflicht (compulsory registration) which requires everyone, whether German or international, to register at their home address. This is not done because the German government wants to control or track your movements (...although let’s be honest in the 21st century, big brother is always watching).
Rather, this regulation is so that the authorities have the ability to track population changes (like the U.S. Census) and keep better statistics on housing availability.
Check out our guide to residence registration in Germany below.
Why you need a Registration Certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) & Tax ID
Beyond the simple answer of, “because you have to”, there are numerous benefits to completing your residence registration in Germany.
For starters, by completing anmeldung you will receive your registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung). This is a critical piece of paperwork in Germany because it is necessary for nearly all legal or “formal” aspects of life, including applying for a German residence permit or opening a bank account.
In addition, by registering to live in Germany you will automatically receive your tax ID (steuerliche Identifikationsnummer). This is a separate document that will be mailed to you within 2-3 weeks after your registration completion from the Federal Central Tax Office.
How to Register in Germany - 3 Simple Steps
Anmeldung in Germany is relatively simple once you understand the process. See below the 3 simple steps you need to follow to register your address in Germany (Germany Anmeldung.)
#1 - Set up an Appointment at the Bürgerämt (Citizen’s Office)
To make an appointment to complete your residence registration (‘Anmeldung einer Wohnung’ or ‘Anmeldung Ihres Wohnsitzes’) in Germany, simply contact your local citizen’s office (Bürgerämt). The most major cities in Germany offer online appointment tools through their websites. However, you are also welcome to make an appointment by phone or to “walk-in” and wait for the next available person. To help the process, here are some ‘Anmeldung einer Wohnung’ links to get you started for most of the major cities:
Black Forest Family Tip
Having trouble finding the contact information for your local citizen’s office? Deutsche Post has an online tool which shows you the closest office to you. Simply select "Einwohnermeldeamt" and enter your postcode.
When setting up the appointment or selecting a service, be on the lookout for phrases such as “Meldeangelegenheiten,” “Anmeldung einer Wohnung” and “Anmeldung Ihres Wohnsitzes’” to register your address.
The service of registering your new address and applying for a new tax-ID is usually free - however, some offices may charge a small fee. In this case, it is always best to have cash on hand and ask for a receipt when you have completed the transaction.
If you urgently need your registration certificate or Tax ID, you can always go to the Bürgeramt for a drop-in appointment. We highly recommend coming right as they open in order to get a number ticket to shorten your wait time in the reception room. In major cities, it can be common that the appointments are quite far out.
From our experience, Monday mornings, or mornings right after holidays when the Bürgeramt is closed tend to have the highest number of individuals seeking walk-in appointments.
Keep in mind, the Bürgerbüros are not reserved for their respective neighborhoods only, you can visit any of them. Look at all in your town to setup an appointment if necessary.
#2 - Prepare your Documents Required for Anmledung in Germany
Your citizens' office's (Bürgerbüro) website will list exactly which documents you need to bring with you to the appointment. Also, if you are married and/or have children, only one person needs to attend. The required documents are usually:
Valid passport (not a driving license).
Visa (if applicable).
Proof of Residence Certificate (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung - provided to you by the owner/landlord of your apartment). Read more below.
Completed Registration Form (Anmeldeformular), printed from your local citizen’s office website.
Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
Family member documents (If applicable) If you’re moving to Germany as a family or registering your family in your German home, only one of you needs to go to the anmeldung appointment. You will need to bring valid passports, original birth certificates and possibly translated birth certificates. In our experience, the original birth certificate has been sufficient.
Black Forest Family Tip
As of November 2015, the German government has made it compulsory for landlords to cooperate with registration by providing proof of residence. You are not asking too much of your landlord by requesting this document. It’s part of what they do!
#3 - Bürgerämt Appointment for Anmeldung
It’s time for your appointment at the Bürgeramt! Do not be late. Double check you have all of your documents, otherwise you will need to do all of this again. Once you arrive in the building, you will stay in a waiting area until your appointment is called. When you registered for the appointment, you received a number. This number will be called when it’s time for your appointment.
Your caseworker will take your documents and you will receive a Meldebescheinigung. The Meldebescheinigung is a registration certificate of you living in your residence. The appointment is generally pretty quick and will be over with in about 10 minutes. It is important to point out here that the case workers are required to speak German. So, if you are still a little bit shaky with your German speaking skills, ask a friend to join you.
German Church Tax - Anmeldung Form
As foreigners, we first didn’t fully understand at first the tax implications of religious affiliation. In the United States, there is separation of church and state in regards to taxes. However, that line gets a bit fuzzier when it comes to Germany.
During your residence registration appointment you will be asked if you belong to a religious denomination. If you answer “yes”, identifying as Protestant (evangelisch), Catholic (katholisch) or Jewish (jüdisch) you will be automatically expected to pay church tax (Kirchensteuer).
The amount of applicable church tax varies depending on which German state you are residing in. The percentage of income tax paid varies depending on the German state. In Bayern and Baden-Württemberg the percentage is 8%, whereas all other Bundesländer have to pay 9%.
If you are employed and receive a regular salary, the German Church Tax is collected in the same way as the standard income tax model. You will notice a separate line item on your monthly payslip.
If you’re a religious person and you would like to remain a member, you should mark your religious affiliation on the anmeldung form. This will allow you to use their facilities for activities like a marriage.
If you are not part of a religious affiliation, be sure to register yourself as “without religion” (ohne Religion).
In all, anticipate your appointment lasting about 15-20 minutes. The city official will check your document, complete your paperwork and give you a stamped certificate of registration. Once more, your Tax ID will arrive separately in the mail within 2-3 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a quick reference guide to frequently asked questions regarding residence registration in Germany.
How do I complete the Anmeldung without a rental contract or address?
Technically speaking, if you live somewhere and the city should be notified of it. However, if you are in a situation where you are staying with a loved one or friend, technically you do not need to have your name on the rental contract. The only form the city requires is a completed Wohnungsgeberbestätigung.
The apartment we first shared together in Germany was technically Jonathan’s since Ashton moved in later. Rather than amending the rental agreement, our landlord was able to provide us with a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung that said he approved of Ashton living in the same flat. This also is beneficial for landlords so that they know all occupants in their apartments.
Can I Anmeldung in Germany with an Airbnb?
No and yes. To register your address in Germany with an Airbnb you will need to book it for a very long period of time. This is typically 6 months and the landlord would need to provide you a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. You will need to check with the landlord to confirm this.
How to Find a Short Term Apartment in Germany that Allows Anmeldung?
Moving to Germany long term? You will most likely need a short term apartment while you are hunting for your permanent residence. Personally, I had a 3 month short term apartment during this search which also allowed me to Anmeldung.
If you’re looking for a temporary apartment in Germany that allows Anmeldung, there are many websites to choose from. Before completing your registration with any of them, be sure to confirm with the landlord that they can give you a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (confirmation of residence) which you will need to Anmeldung.
Here are some websites to help get you started:
Are there any penalties for not registering with the city?
By law, residence registration in Germany is compulsory for all citizens, both foreign and domestic. Remaining unregistered, giving incorrect information or registering late (more than 2 weeks after arrival) is strictly against the law and subject to a fine of 1,000 euros.
That sounds intense, but in reality most cities take it less seriously. In many cases you will be able to register late with a small fine or a bad look from your caseworker. If you’re late, I would recommend bringing in proof (on paper) showing the reasons. This should help.
Keep in mind that you cannot get a tax ID, bank account, phone contract or an internet connection without completing your Anmeldung. Plus you will also not be able to complete most administration tasks.
Do I need to de-register my old address before registering my new address?
It depends. If you are simply moving to a new location within Germany, you need to follow the steps mentioned above to register your new address within two weeks of moving. You do not need to de-register from your old address.
How to de-register my address when leaving Germany? The Abmeldung
If you are leaving Germany permanently, you will need to de-register at your local citizens' office (Bürgerämt) within a very specific time window. By law, you must complete this step within two weeks of moving out, but no sooner than one week before you move away.
The good news here is you will receive a Abmeldebestätigung. This nice confirmation letter can help get you out of long-term contracts such as phone, gym, etc.
How to register family members at the same address in Germany?
This is completely allowable. Just make sure to bring all of their documents as well. A single proof of residence certificate (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) may be used for more than one person.
How do I Anmeldung if my name is not on the mailbox?
If you are living with a relative or subletting from a friend, your name is likely not to be stated on the lease, and therefore, not on the mailbox. In this case, you must add "c/o" to your address when you register. If you don't do this, you won't receive your mail from the government, and you won't receive your tax ID.