Register in Germany with Your New Address

As a new resident in Germany, you’re going to need to get several things done upon arrival. One of those tasks includes the official “Anmeldung” or registration process in the particular city where you will be residing. The roadmap below will help take you through the steps of that official “Anmeldung”. NOTE: You are legally required to register in Germany within 14 days of moving to your new German address

Here’s how to register in Germany with your new address | Your “Anmeldung” Guide

Let’s go through a few essentials, this is what you’re going to learn in this roadmap below: ✅ The definition of “Anmeldung” ✅ 4 simple steps to register in Germany ✅  How to book a registration appointment ✅ Next steps

What does Anmeldung even mean?

Anmeldung in German directly translates to “registration” in English, and it is indeed that. The Anmeldung process is where you let the local authorities know where you will be residing. This is going to be the most important step of your relocation process seeing as, without a complete registration, you actually cannot work or study in Germany.

Why? Well, because without confirmation of registration, you will not receive your tax identification number (Steuer-ID), you will not receive your residence permit, and you will not be allowed to take out German health insurance.

Well, how can I register in Germany then? 

Don’t worry, it’s quite simple, but before you can register, you’re going to need to have a couple of things checked off your list first.

1 – You need a permanent address 

First things first, find a place to live. It is important to note that a hotel address and most Airbnb addresses are not sufficient. This address needs to be a permanent address where you intend to live for the duration of your stay here in Germany. While it seems simple enough to just write down a hotel address, this isn’t going to work. Why not? Because the owner of the residence needs to sign an official document known as the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. Without this document, you are not able to register in Germany.

NOTE: Unless you are on a tourist visa (up to 3 months) you are not legally allowed to live in Germany without registering in a city.

2 – You’ll need to fill out a registration form 

The registration form is also known as the Anmeldeformular and can be found on your city’s official website. You can also Google “Anmeldeformular + your city name” to find the registration form and fill it out.

Here are some quick links to a few of the major city sites: Düsseldorf, Cologne, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg

If you’re feeling at all stuck or lost, the Life in Germany Welcome Program goes through all these types of forms and websites to help guide you step-by-step through the relocation journey.

3 – You’ll need to obtain your Wohnungsgeberbestätigung 

We’ve already talked about this form, the so-called “Wohnungsgeberbestätigung“. You can read more about how to obtain this particular document here but in short, your landlord will provide this signed document upon your completion of the rental contract.

4 – You’ll need to gather more important documents 

In addition to the Anmeldeformular and the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, you will also need to gather a few more important documents together to bring with you to your appointment. Make sure you have the following documents with you:

• A valid passport and/or ID
• Any visa you might have for Germany
• If you are married, your marriage certificate (legally translated if not in German)
• If you have children, your child’s birth certificate (legally translated if not in German)

I’m ready! How can I book my appointment? 

That’s great! Once you have all your documents ready to go and are ready to book the appointment, you’ll need to do a bit of research. Rules and regulations have changed post-pandemic era which means some cities allow you to book appointments online and others require you to come in person and set up an appointment. The best thing to do if you are unsure is to go to the closest registration office to you and ask at the front desk. If the closest office to you is fully booked, you can go to any local office as long as it is within the same city.

Note: “registration office” in German can be called Burgerbüro, Einwohnermeldeamt, or Bürgeramt. If you are moving to a small town and there is no registration office, you will likely have to go to your local town hall (Rathaus).

What’s next? 

Once you have booked your appointment and submitted all of your documents, you will receive your ‘Meldebescheinigung’ otherwise known as your registration certificate. This is the document you will need to provide your workplace, to set up an internet contract, to join a healthcare plan, and much more. So, make sure to put this document somewhere safe. You will also receive your German tax ID in the mail a few short weeks later. If for some reason you do not receive this in the mail within the first 2-4 weeks of registering in your city, please refer to this post. Lastly, once you’re registered, you will also likely be sent a letter from the Rundfunkbeitrag (German TV license) who will charge you approximately 18,36 Euros* per month per residence (not per person living at that particular address). This fee is not optional. * All prices are subject to change (this licensing fee is likely to increase each year)