Key takeaways
  • You must register your address within two weeks of moving into a flat in Germany.
  • You need a landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) from your landlord.
  • Your tax ID is sent to your registered address after the Anmeldung.
  • Many other steps, from bank to residence permit, need the registration certificate.

The Anmeldung is the first official thing you do in Germany, and many other steps depend on it. When I arrived in Berlin, getting an appointment was harder than I expected, so here is what I wish I had known.

What the Anmeldung is

It is the registration of your address with the local registration office (Bürgeramt or Bürgerbüro). Everyone who moves into a flat in Germany must register within two weeks (§17 Federal Registration Act).

Documents you need

  • Your passport with your visa or residence permit.
  • The landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung), signed by your landlord or the person who gives you the flat (§19 Federal Registration Act).
  • The registration form of your city, often available online.
  • For family members: marriage and birth certificates, sometimes with translations.

Step by step

  1. Find a flat where you can register. Some short term rentals don't allow registration. Ask before you book.
  2. Get the landlord confirmation. Without it, you can't register.
  3. Book an appointment early. In big cities, appointments can be weeks away. Check daily for cancellations.
  4. Keep the registration certificate. The Meldebescheinigung is needed for many other steps.

What depends on it

Your tax ID is sent by post to your registered address. Your employer needs it for payroll. Banks, the immigration office, health insurance and mobile contracts often ask for the registration certificate too.

Common questions

What happens if I miss the two week deadline?

Register as soon as you can. Late registration can lead to a fine, and many other steps get delayed.

Can I register at a temporary flat?

Only if the landlord gives you the landlord confirmation. Ask before you book.

Do I need to deregister when I leave Germany?

Yes, you deregister (Abmeldung) when you move abroad.

Sources

Written by Swapnil (Samadhan Mule)

I moved to Germany for my master's, collected more than 1,000 rejections, and then got multiple job offers within six months. I work in digital marketing in Germany and help international professionals get hired in Europe. Read my story.