Registration obligations in Germany

In Germany, residents are obligated to officially register their place of residence. But what does this mean exactly, what deadlines apply and what documents do you need? You will find all the information you need about your registration obligations in Germany in this article.

The registration obligation in Germany stipulates that people who live in or immigrate to Germany must register their address at the Residents’ Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt). This registration is free of charge and must be made no later than two weeks after moving to an address. You may face a fine if you miss this deadline. If you move within Germany, you will be deregistered at your old place of residence automatically as soon as you register your new address. The obligation to register applies to all those living in Germany, regardless of age. This means that you must also register and re-register your children at the Residents’ Registration Office.

However, the obligation to register also applies to foreign guests in hotels and hostels. For this purpose, a registration form must be filled out. This can also be done electronically.

This registration system is important for many processes in the German federal state, such as the calculation of daycare and school places, the organisation of elections, the issuance of identity documents, etc.

Have you just immigrated to Germany? The obligation to register in Germany applies to you, too. To register with the Residents’ Registration Office, you will need your residence title and a domicile in Germany. Once you have found a place to live, you must register with the residents’ registration office within two weeks. After registration, you will receive a registration certificate, which you should keep in a safe place.  

To register, you will need the following documents:  

• Passport
• Landlord’s confirmation
• Residence title
• If applicable, your children’s birth certificates

You will receive the landlord’s confirmation from your landlord. In it, the landlord confirms that you have moved into the respective apartment. This confirmation includes the address of the apartment, the full name and address of the landlord, the move-in date, as well as the names of all persons subject to registration.

EU citizens do not need a visa to immigrate to Germany, but they still have the same registration obligation as all other people living in Germany. EU citizens must also register with the Residents’ Registration Office within two weeks of moving into their accommodation. You will just need your passport and a letter of confirmation from your landlord.

In some cases, you might need translations of documents for registration at the Residents’ Registration Office. 

• Passport for some countries such as Iraq, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan that are not in the Hague Convention.
• Birth certificates for children that are not in English or German and were issued outside the EU

Do you want to emigrate from Germany? Then you are obliged to deregister in Germany. If you move within Germany, you will automatically deregister at your old place of residence, but this does not apply to a move abroad. The obligation to register stipulates in this case that you must actively deregister in Germany.