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You e just moved into your new apartment in Germany. Within hours, probably, someone will tell you: "You need to do your Anmeldung." If you e lucky, theyll even tell you what that means. Most people find out the hard way — when a bank refuses to open an account, or an employer asks for a Steuer-ID that hasn arrived yet, or a landlord demands a Meldebescheinigung for a new lease.
Anmeldung is the bureaucratic foundation of life in Germany. Everything else — your bank account, your tax ID, your Schufa score, your health insurance — builds on it. We e been through it multiple times across different German cities, and this is the guide we wish wed had.
TL;DR: Anmeldung is mandatory address registration at your local Bürgeramt within 14 days of moving in. You need your passport, a signed Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord, and a filled Meldeschein form. After registration, you receive a Meldebescheinigung (proof of registration) on the spot, and your Steuer-ID arrives by post within 2–4 weeks. Missing the 14-day deadline can result in a fine.
Without Anmeldung, you cannot open a German bank account, receive your tax ID, or access most public services. Do it first — before anything else.
What Is Anmeldung?
Anmeldung literally means "registration." In the German bureaucratic context, it refers specifically to registering your home address with the local government — the Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt. This is governed by the Bundesmeldegesetz (Federal Registration Act), which requires everyone living in Germany — German citizens and foreigners alike — to register within 14 days of moving into a new home.
Once registered, you receive a Meldebescheinigung — an official certificate confirming your address. This single document unlocks almost everything else you need to build a life in Germany.
Why It Matters
Anmeldung is the gateway to everything. Without a registered address in Germany, you e essentially invisible to the system — and the system will make your life very difficult.
- German bank account — virtually every bank requires a Meldebescheinigung to open an account (see our bank account comparison)
- Steuer-ID (tax number) — issued automatically after registration, needed to work legally in Germany
- Schufa score — your credit history starts building from your registered address
- Health insurance — enrollment in GKV requires a German address
- Residence permit — non-EU citizens need Anmeldung before applying for their Aufenthaltstitel
- Phone contracts — postpaid contracts require address verification
- Driving license exchange — requires Meldebescheinigung
- Voting rights — EU citizens can vote in local elections once registered
Documents You Need
Bring everything on this list. Missing even one document means a wasted trip and a new appointment — which could be weeks away in larger cities.
| Document | Who Provides It | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport or national ID | You | EU citizens can use national ID. Non-EU need passport + valid visa/residence permit |
| Wohnungsgeberbestätigung | Your landlord | Landlord confirmation form — legally required since 2015. Download from your citys Bürgeramt website |
| Meldeschein | You (fill in advance) | Registration form — download and fill before your appointment, or fill at the office |
| Rental contract | Your landlord | Not always required but useful as backup proof of address |
The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung explained: This form was introduced in 2015 to prevent Scheinanmeldung (fake registrations). Your landlord — whether thats a property management company, a private person, or even a friend letting you stay — must sign it. The form confirms your name, their name, the property address, and the date you moved in. Your landlord is legally obligated to provide it within 2 weeks. If they refuse, they face a fine of up to €1,000.
Step-by-Step: The Anmeldung Process
Booking Appointments by City
Appointment availability varies dramatically by city. Heres what to expect in Germanys major expat destinations.
| City | Difficulty | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin | Very hard | New slots released daily at midnight. Use the Berlin.de appointment portal. Consider trying multiple districts (Bezirke) — Spandau and Marzahn are often easier than Mitte or Prenzlauer Berg |
| Munich | Hard | Book on muenchen.de. Some Bürgerbüros allow walk-ins early morning — arrive before 8am for best chance |
| Hamburg | Moderate | Generally 1–2 week waits. Multiple districts available — check all of them on hamburg.de |
| Frankfurt | Moderate | Frankfurt.de portal. Usually 1 week wait. Some offices accept walk-ins |
| Cologne / Düsseldorf | Easy–Moderate | Usually same week. Check koeln.de or duesseldorf.de |
| Smaller cities | Easy | Often walk-in or next-day appointments. Local Bürgeramt usually handles it quickly |
New appointment slots in Berlin are released at midnight and 8am. Set an alarm, open the booking portal at exactly that time, and refresh until you see a slot. Third-party tools like Terminfinder can also alert you when slots open. Alternatively, some private services offer Anmeldung assistance for €50–100 if you e desperate.
What Happens After Anmeldung
Registration triggers several automatic processes. Heres what to expect and when.
| What | When | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Meldebescheinigung | Immediately (on the spot) | Collect at appointment — use to open bank account, sign contracts |
| Steuer-ID | 2–4 weeks by post | None — arrives automatically. Give to employer once received |
| Rundfunkbeitrag letter | 1–6 weeks | ARD/ZDF broadcast fee — €18.36/month per household. Register as household if you share with others |
| Schufa entry | Days to weeks | Your registered address creates your first Schufa data point — start building your score |
| Wahlbenachrichtigung | Before elections (EU citizens) | Voting notification sent to registered address if eligible |
Important: The religion field on the Meldeschein. If you filled in a religion (konfession) and its one of the official church-tax religions (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish), you will automatically be enrolled in Kirchensteuer — an 8–9% surcharge on your income tax. If you e not a practicing member or don want to pay, leave this field blank or write "keine" (none). Opting out later requires a formal Kirchenaustritt at the Amtsgericht, which costs €30 and requires an appointment.
Moving Again: Ummeldung
Every time you move to a new address in Germany — even across the street — you must re-register within 14 days. This is called Ummeldung (re-registration). The process is identical to Anmeldung: same documents, same Bürgeramt, same 14-day deadline.
One difference: when moving within Germany, you do not need to do an Abmeldung at your old address first. The new Ummeldung automatically updates your record nationwide. Your new Steuer-ID does not change — its permanent for life.
Leaving Germany: Abmeldung
When you leave Germany permanently, you must deregister — Abmeldung — within 2 weeks of your departure date. Unlike Anmeldung, Abmeldung can usually be done by post, email, or online without an in-person appointment. Check your citys Bürgeramt website for their specific process.
- Cancel German tax liability — without Abmeldung, Germany can claim you e still a tax resident
- Cancel contracts automatically — many contracts (phone, internet, gym) have a "leaving Germany" cancellation clause that requires Abmeldebestätigung
- Reclaim pension contributions — non-EU citizens who worked in Germany can reclaim their DRV pension contributions 24 months after leaving, with Abmeldebestätigung as proof
- Stop Rundfunkbeitrag — deregister your broadcast fee account when you leave
Common Mistakes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anmeldung and why is it mandatory?
Q: What documents do I need? Passport or national ID, a signed Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord, and a completed Meldeschein form. Non-EU citizens also need their visa or residence permit.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
Q: What is the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung? A landlord confirmation form your landlord must sign to confirm you live at their property. Required since 2015. Download from your citys Bürgeramt website. Landlords are legally required to provide it; refusing can result in a €1,000 fine for them.
When does my Steuer-ID arrive?
Q: Do I need to re-register if I move? Yes — every move within Germany requires Ummeldung within 14 days. Same documents, same process. No need to do Abmeldung at the old address.
What is Abmeldung?
Q: Can I register without a permanent address? No — you need a fixed address. Hotels don count. If staying with a friend, they can sign the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung as your informal landlord.
Bottom Line
Anmeldung is the single most important bureaucratic task when moving to Germany. Do it within 14 days, bring all documents (especially the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung — get it from your landlord on move-in day), and leave the religion field blank unless you specifically want to pay church tax. The appointment itself takes 15 minutes. What follows — Steuer-ID, Schufa history, bank accounts, health insurance enrollment — all flows from that one visit. Do it first.
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Last updated and verified: May 2026. Registration requirements may vary by city. Confirm current details at your local Bürgeramt website.
Sources: Bundesmeldegesetz · Berlin Bürgeramt · Munich Bürgerbüro · Bundeszentralamt für Steuern
