Register your address within 2 weeks
Anmeldung
Everyone who moves into a flat in Germany must register at the local office (Bürgeramt) within two weeks.
The rule
When you move into a flat or a room in Germany, you must register your address at the registration office of your city (Bürgeramt, Einwohnermeldeamt or Kreisverwaltungsreferat). You have two weeks from the day you move in.
You need your passport, and a confirmation from your landlord that you moved in (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). Your landlord must give you this form.
After registering you get a registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung). You need it for almost everything: a bank account, your tax ID, your residence permit, a mobile contract.
When you move again, you register at the new address within two weeks. When you leave Germany, you deregister (Abmeldung).
In big cities, appointments are often booked out for weeks. Book one as soon as you know your moving date, and keep proof that you tried if the first free date is later than two weeks.
What it costs
| If you… | Fine or cost |
|---|---|
| Registering late or not at all | up to €1,000 (usually much less for a short delay) |
India vs Germany
In India, your address is on your Aadhaar and you update it when you need to. In Germany, registering is not optional: offices, banks and employers ask for the Meldebescheinigung, and your tax ID is sent to the registered address.
German words for this
- die Anmeldung · registration
- das Bürgeramt · citizens' office
- die Meldebescheinigung · registration certificate
- die Wohnungsgeberbestätigung · landlord's confirmation
- der Termin · appointment
Official sources
Last checked: 8 November 2026, against the official sources named on each page. General information for learners, not legal advice: rules can change and some depend on your state or city. If something matters for you, check the official source or ask the office.
Learn the German for everyday life
DeutschKatha has short stories and real conversations about life in Germany, at the Bürgeramt, the bank or the doctor, with every word explained in English and Indian languages.