Anmeldung in Germany: How to Register Your Address
How to register your address in Germany (Anmeldung): deadline, documents, fee and where to go. Step by step, in plain English, with official sources.
Anmeldung is the first bureaucratic step for anyone living in Germany, and it unlocks almost everything else: your tax ID, a bank account, health insurance sign-up and most contracts. The appointment itself takes about 10 minutes. This guide covers the deadline, the documents, the fee and what comes next.
After registering, you can sort out internet and mobile contracts, electricity and gas contracts, and the driving licence exchange.
| Deadline | Within two weeks (14 days) of moving in |
|---|---|
| Documents | Valid ID or passport, registration form, Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation) |
| Fee | Free of charge |
| Where | Your local Bürgeramt (Einwohnermeldeamt), after booking an appointment. In Berlin also online with a BundID account and your ID card's eID function, but only for German or EU citizens aged 18 or over (not with a residence permit card). |
| Penalty for late registration | An administrative offence, fine up to €1,000 (section 54 BMG) |
| Deregistration when leaving | Within two weeks after moving out, earliest one week before |
Sources: BMG sections 17, 19 and 54, and service.berlin.de. Details are listed under "Sources" at the end.
What is Anmeldung?
Anmeldung means registering your home address with the local authority. Everyone who lives in Germany must do it, whether German or foreign. The office is called the Bürgeramt or Einwohnermeldeamt (residents' registration office), and it enters you in the local residents' register.
Banks, health insurers, employers and tax authorities rely on that register. When you register, you receive a Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate), which is the document most other offices ask for.
How long do I have to register my address in Germany?
You must register within two weeks of moving in. Section 17 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG) sets this deadline, and Berlin's service portal states it as 14 days after moving in. Failing to register on time is an administrative offence that can be fined up to €1,000.
The rule applies to:
- New arrivals from abroad
- Anyone moving from one German address to another
- German citizens returning from abroad
Berlin's own service page lists no penalty, and in practice the fine is not always applied where appointments are scarce. Late registration still holds up other steps: your tax ID is sent to your registered address, and employers and banks ask for your Meldebescheinigung.
Book your appointment before you arrive. In large cities, Bürgeramt slots can be booked out for weeks. As soon as you have a confirmed address, go online and book.
What documents do I need for Anmeldung?
For Anmeldung you need a valid ID card or passport, the completed registration form and a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord. Berlin's service portal states that a rental contract does not replace the landlord's confirmation. Missing any item usually means you have to rebook.
| Document | Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ID card or passport | Yes, for everyone registering | Bring originals for in-person registration (a driving licence is not an ID for this). |
| Registration form (Anmeldeformular) | Yes | Download it from your city's website and fill it in before you arrive. Or use the online application where offered. |
| Wohnungsgeberbestätigung | Yes | Signed by your landlord. A rental contract does not replace it. |
| Extra papers (Beiblatt, consent forms, certificates) | In some cases | Examples from Berlin: a Beiblatt if you keep more than one home in Germany, parental consent forms for children, birth or marriage certificates for a first registration. |
Families should register everyone moving, including children. Proof of health insurance and a German bank account are not on the official list of required documents.
What is the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord letter)?
The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is a written confirmation from the person providing your accommodation that you have moved in. Section 19 BMG requires it for registration. It is the document most newcomers get stuck on, so ask your landlord for it when you collect your keys.
By law (section 19 BMG) it must contain:
- The name and address of the landlord (and the owner's name, if the landlord is not the owner)
- The move-in date
- The address of the flat
- The names of the people who must register
Cities publish a standard form you can download. Some landlords can issue it electronically: they receive an assignment code and give it to you to use when registering.
What if my landlord won't provide it?
Your landlord is legally required to cooperate with your registration. If they refuse, or you do not receive the confirmation in time, you must tell the registration office without delay (section 19, paragraph 2 BMG). Ask the office how it handles your case.
What about a hotel, Airbnb or shared flat?
- Hotel or serviced apartment: Ask the front desk for a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. Many can provide one, but confirm before you book.
- Airbnb: Some hosts will not provide one. Ask before booking if you need to register from that address.
- Shared flat (WG): The main tenant (Hauptmieter) or the landlord signs the form for you, as the person providing the room.
How do I book an Anmeldung appointment?
Book through your city's online appointment portal, usually by searching for "Anmeldung einer Wohnung". In Berlin you can also register online with a BundID account and the eID function of your ID card, if you are a German or EU citizen aged 18 or over. Availability and rules differ by city, so check your own city's site first.
- Berlin: service.berlin.de (search "Anmeldung einer Wohnung")
- Munich: muenchen.de/buergerbuero
- Frankfurt: frankfurt.de/buergeramt
- Hamburg: hamburg.de/kundenzentren
- Stuttgart: stuttgart.de/buergerbuero
- Cologne: koeln.de/buergerbuero
Tips for getting a slot sooner:
- Check early in the morning, as cancelled slots reappear throughout the day
- Try several Bürgeramt locations in the same city, not just the closest one
- Check back regularly, because cities add new slots at different times
What happens at the Bürgeramt?
At the appointment you hand over your ID, the registration form and the landlord confirmation. The officer enters your details, you sign, and you receive your Meldebescheinigung. The visit usually takes about 10 minutes, plus any waiting time.
- Check in at reception or take a number
- Wait until your number or name is called
- Hand over your ID, the Anmeldeformular and the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
- The officer enters your details into the system
- You receive your Meldebescheinigung. Keep several copies.
Many officers in big cities speak some English, but bring everything in an organised folder and do not count on it.
What happens after Anmeldung?
After Anmeldung, your Steuer-ID is sent to your registered address and you can use your Meldebescheinigung for banks, employers and insurers. You will also need to register for the Rundfunkbeitrag, the public broadcasting fee of €220.32 a year (€18.36 a month) per household.
- Steuer-ID arrives by post. See the next section.
- Rundfunkbeitrag: every household pays it, whether or not you own a TV. If you have no contribution account yet, register your flat through the form at rundfunkbeitrag.de.
- Your employer needs your Steuer-ID to process your salary correctly. Give them your Meldebescheinigung and Steuer-ID as soon as you have both.
With your Meldebescheinigung you can now:
- Open a full German bank account
- Sign a mobile phone contract
- Sign up for public health insurance, or compare your health insurance options
- Apply for a German driving licence conversion
- Register a vehicle
Still house hunting or planning the move? See our guides to finding an apartment and moving to Germany.
How do I get my Steuer-ID (tax identification number)?
You do not apply for the Steuer-ID. The Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) assigns it and sends it to your registered address, which is why Anmeldung comes first. The number is permanent: it stays the same when you move, change your name or change your marital status.
Your employer needs it to calculate your payroll tax. Tell them you have registered and that the number is on the way.
If the letter does not arrive, you can request it again through the BZSt contact form, by letter or in the BZSt online portal (bzst.de). The BZSt does not give out the number by phone. It is also printed on your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung and your income tax assessment.
Don't confuse Steuer-ID with Steuernummer. The Steuer-ID is permanent and issued once. The Steuernummer is assigned by your local tax office (Finanzamt) and can change if you move to a different tax office's area.
What if I move to a new address in Germany?
If you move to a new address within Germany, you must register the new home within two weeks of moving in, the same deadline as the first Anmeldung. You need the same documents, including a new Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your new landlord. Your Steuer-ID stays the same.
Do I need to deregister when I leave Germany?
Yes, if you move out and have no new home in Germany. Deregistration (Abmeldung) is due within two weeks after you move out. You can do it at the earliest one week before you move out (section 17 BMG).
- Bring your passport or ID and the deregistration form from your city's website.
- No landlord letter is required for deregistration.
- You receive an Abmeldebescheinigung. Keep it, as some countries and institutions ask for proof that you left Germany.
Deregistering also helps you end things tied to your address, such as the Rundfunkbeitrag. Ask each provider what proof it needs.
Anmeldung in Germany: FAQ
How long do I have to register my address in Germany?
You must register within two weeks of moving into a flat, under section 17 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG). Berlin's service portal says 14 days after moving in. Late or missing registration is an administrative offence that can be fined up to €1,000, although the Berlin portal itself lists no penalty.
What documents do I need for Anmeldung?
You need a valid ID card or passport, the registration form, and a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord's move-in confirmation). A rental contract does not replace the landlord's confirmation. Depending on your case, you may also need extra papers, such as parental consent forms for children or birth and marriage certificates for a first registration in Berlin.
How much does Anmeldung cost?
Nothing. Berlin's official service page lists the fee as none, so registering your address is free of charge. Registration does lead to other costs later, such as the Rundfunkbeitrag (public broadcasting fee), which is €220.32 a year, or €18.36 a month, per household.
Can I register my address in Germany online?
In some cities, yes. Berlin offers online registration through a BundID account and the eID function of your ID card, but only for German or EU citizens aged 18 or over (not with an electronic residence permit). Otherwise you register in person at a Bürgeramt after booking an appointment. Online options and appointment rules differ by city, so check your own city's portal.
What if my landlord will not give me the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?
Your landlord is legally required to cooperate with your registration. If the landlord refuses or you do not receive the confirmation in time, section 19 BMG says you must tell the registration office without delay. The office can then follow up with the landlord.
Do I need to deregister when I leave Germany?
Yes, if you move out and have no new home in Germany. Deregistration (Abmeldung) is due within two weeks after you move out, and you can do it at the earliest one week before you move out. You receive an Abmeldebescheinigung, which some countries and institutions ask for.
Do I get my tax ID after Anmeldung?
Your tax ID (Steuer-ID) is a lifelong number sent to your registered address, so you do not apply for it separately. If it does not arrive, request it again from the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) through its contact form, by letter or in its online portal. The BZSt does not give the number out by phone.
Sources
Checked on 14 October 2026. Always confirm details with your own city, as procedures vary. Deadlines and deregistration: §17 BMG. Landlord confirmation: §19 BMG. Fines: §54 BMG. Documents, fee and online registration in Berlin: service.berlin.de, Anmeldung einer Wohnung. Tax ID: Bundeszentralamt für Steuern. Broadcasting fee (€220.32 a year): rundfunkbeitrag.de.
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