Registration and residence
Anmeldung
Address registration
Last updated: September 28, 2026
What does Anmeldung mean?
Anmeldung is the legal registration of your address at the Bürgeramt (citizens' office). Everyone who moves into a home in Germany must register within two weeks. You need your passport and your landlord's confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung), and you receive a Meldebescheinigung. It also triggers your tax ID automatically.
Key facts
| Deadline | 2 weeks after moving in (§17 BMG) |
| Cost | Free |
| You receive | Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate) |
| Fine for late registration | Up to €1,000 |
What to do
- Book a Bürgeramt appointment as soon as you have a move-in date; in big cities they can be weeks away.
- Bring your passport or ID, the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord and the completed registration form.
- Keep the Meldebescheinigung you receive: banks, employers and the Ausländerbehörde ask for it.
- Expect your Steuer-ID by post within 2-4 weeks.
Worth knowing
Moving within Germany? You only register at the new address; the old one is deregistered automatically. Leaving Germany requires an Abmeldung instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the deadline for the Anmeldung?
Two weeks after moving in. If no appointment is available in time, book the earliest one you can and keep proof of the booking; most offices accept that.
Do I need an Anmeldung for a temporary stay?
Yes, if you move into a home in Germany, even temporarily. Stays of up to 3 months while keeping a registered home abroad can be exempt; check with the Bürgeramt.
Read next
Sources
More German terms: registration and residence
Plain-English explanations of the words on your letters and forms.