Registering your address in Germany: what is it?
The rumours are true: moving to Germany includes a lot of bureaucracy.
One of the first things you’ll have to manage after arriving is to register your address in Germany (Anmeldung).
This is more than just a formality.
Your Anmeldung will allow you to open a bank account, arrange your tax ID and apply for a residency visa at the Ausländerbehörde.
Interesting? Not really. Necessary? Absolutely!
This guide walks you through the process step by step and offers practical tips for navigating your first dance with German bureaucracy without missing a beat.
I remember trying to book an appointment with the Ausländerbehörde and learning that I had to register my address first. Heart thumping and palms sweating, I was overcome with confusion.
How do I do that? I wondered, as panic set in.
At the appointment, I can honestly say that I was nearly having a panic attack.
Speaking no German and not understanding the formality of the situation, I just felt like I did everything wrong.
But I got it done and after this win, I felt like I could take on anything.
Whether you’re planning your move or you’ve just arrived and are wondering “What the heck is an Anmeldung?”, consider this your go-to resource for registering your address in Germany.
Read my best tips for conquering German bureaucracy.
What is Address Registration (Anmeldung)?
All residents of Germany, whether local or foreign, must officially register their address in Germany within 14 days of moving to a new address.
Why is this important as an expat?
The Anmeldung is the official proof of your residential address in Germany. It’s needed for nearly all of the “set-up” things you’ll need to do when you first arrive.
Here are just a few examples:
- No Anmeldung = no appointment at the Ausländerbehörde.
- If you’re from outside of the EU, you’ll need it for any visa application you make.
- Need a bank account? Most banks require proof of German residence.
- If you have a job lined up, you will need a Tax ID and they’re only issued after you’ve registered your residence.
- You’d like a phone contract? Not possible without Anmeldung.
- Children cannot be registered at childcare or school before being registered in the city.
Besides all of those reasons, it is the law.
As a new member of the German community, following the rules is necessary. Always.
When and Where to Register
You have 14 days to register your address in Germany with the local Bürgerburo (Citizen’s Office) or Rathaus (Town Hall).
If you live in any of the following states, you can register completely online!
- Berlin
- Bremen
- Hamburg
- Schleswig-Holstein
Read more information about this service.
Unfortunately, this service is only available in German.
If you’re not yet up to managing these sort of tasks in German, Google Translate will get you through it.
Some cities in the following states also allow online registration:
- Baden-Württemberg
- Bayern
- Hessen
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Niedersachsen
- Nordrhein-Westfalen
- Rheinland-Pfalz
- Sachsen-Anhalt
If, like me, you live in a state that insists on in-person appointments to register your address in Germany, then you’ll likely need to make an appointment in advance.
How to find Your Local Bürgerbüro
The easiest way to find out if where and how you should register your address in Germany is a quick online search:
Bürgerbüro + your city
This should give you answers right away.
Many government websites do have an English version, so language barriers shouldn’t be a problem.
If not, let Google Translate work its magic.
Need more help? Here’s a link to the government of each German state. From here you should be able to find everything you need.
Documents Needed for Anmeldung
To register your address in Germany, you’ll need the following:
✅ Valid passport
This is the key identity document for you in Germany until you have your residence permit. Remember to bring the passport of every member of your family that you will be registering.
✅ Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
Confirmation of your current residential address and your authority to live there from the landlord. All members of your family must be listed on this document.
✅ Rental contract
While some bureaucrats will want to copy the entire rental agreement, they are typically interested in the following sections:
- The front page, including the address, the start date of occupancy and the names of all family members living there.
- The size of the apartment of house (yes, there are rules about how many people can reside in properties of a particular size)
✅ Completed registration form (Anmeldeformular)
You’ll find the necessary document available for download from your city’s website. Be sure to complete it before your appointment.
✅ Marriage certificate & birth certificates
If registering other family members, be sure to bring the required identity documents for each and every family member. You can register your partner on their behalf too, as long as you have the right documents.
Sometimes the requirements to register your address can change.
Please check which documents are required by your city to ensure you have everything you need before your appointment.
TIP: German bureaucracy is paper-based. Take all documents in original and a copy to speed up your process.
Step-by-Step Registration Process
- Book an Appointment (if required)
- Check your local Bürgerburo’s website for availability.
- Walk-in appointments may be possible in smaller towns.
- Check your local Bürgerburo’s website for availability.
- Prepare your documents before the appointment.
- Complete the form.
- Have your original documents neatly organized and easy to access
- Complete the form.
TIP: Have your documents sorted neatly in a document wallet. Keep them in the order they appear on the Anmeldformular.
There’s nothing worse for your anxiety in a silent office than flicking through papers unable to find what you need!
- Attend Your Appointment
- Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time.
- Follow any check-in procedures (some Bürgerburo’s have clerks welcoming you and others have scannable QR codes on arrival).
- If you don’t yet speak German fluently, bring a trusted German-speaking friend to assist you.
- Ask questions if you’re unsure about anything and be sure you understand what you’re signing.
- Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time.
- Receive Your Anmeldebestätigung
- You’ll receive your registration confirmation at the end of your appointment (yes, it’s paper).
- This is a vital certificate for starting your new life in Germany.
- KEEP IT SAFE.
- You’ll receive your registration confirmation at the end of your appointment (yes, it’s paper).
What to Expect at Your Appointment
To register your address in Germany, you’ll most likely need to personally attend an appointment.
I remember my feelings on my way to the first appointment: overcome with worry that I’d be late.
My old friend Anxiety visited to remind me that I might have filled in the form incorrectly or forgotten a vital document.
So, let’s paint a picture for you about how these appointments normally run, just to set your mind at rest.
Getting there
It sounds simple, but be sure to note down which Bürgerburo you will be visiting.
In my city of Dresden for example, there are 6 offices. Nothing could be worse than being at the wrong office for your appointment.
Leave yourself plenty of time to arrive, ensuring you arrive 15 minutes early.
Don’t forget to have your QR code or any other appointment details, such as the office number, available to show staff on arrival.
Checking-in
To ensure that appointments are as timely as possible, there is a check-in process to follow. By checking in, staff know you’re there and ready to go.
This system is super German but it means that normally, you’re seen on time.
You’ll be greeted with one of two check-in processes:
- QR Code: If booking appointments online was possible, then you may have received a QR code. This can be scanned on arrival to check-in.
- Staff check-in: Some offices have staff who will check the day’s appointment list and your ID before allowing you to enter the building.
Generally, after check-in, you will be given an appointment number. The numbers will be shown on the screen and advise which office or desk you should approach.
Move quickly! The bureaucrats are impatient.
The Waiting Room
The Wartebereich (waiting area) can vary in its quality significantly between offices. Some are sundrenched with indoor plants, while others are fluoro-lit spaces with rows of uncomfortable seats.
In this area, remaining quiet is of utmost importance. Germany is a quiet nation, so talking on your mobile phone in the waiting area, for example, is not acceptable.
Keep your eyes on the screen and be sure not to miss your appointment number.
Your Appointment
You will either approach a desk in an open-plan office or be sent to an office for your appointment.
Both have one thing in common: the bureaucrat will interact very little with you and will offer little to no explanation about the process.
These interactions were such a cultural difference for me that have taken years to get used to take some time to overcome but it is your right to know what you put your name to.
I remember feeling so uncomfortable breaking the silence with questions, or taking my time to read over everything with Google Translate before signing.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, here are my top tips for overcoming expat overwhelm.
Registering Children and Partners
Every resident of Germany must register their address with the Bürgerburo.
If you have children, they must also be registered. Typically, don’t need to attend the appointment with you.
To register them to your address, you will need:
- to include each child on your Anmeldformular
- present their identity documents at your appointment.
Your children will also be listed on your rental agreement.
Last Things to Consider
Moving to Germany is synonymous with getting up close and personal with German bureaucracy. Registering your address is just the first of many steps in starting your new life here.
Being organised and prepared will make the process much smoother.
You don’t need any extra stress as you juggle the competing demands of settling into a new country, supporting your family and bureaucratic chores.
Managing bureaucracy in a new country, system and language can be overwhelming.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Check in with friends, colleagues, expat-facebook groups or me for guidance.
Your new life is waiting for you, so let’s get it started!
Feeling overwhelmed?
Book in a 20-mimute free consultation with me to set your mind at rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some common questions about registering your address in Germany.
