Register your address after moving in Germany (2026)
Register your address after moving in Germany
You must register with the Bürgeramt (citizens' office) within 14 days of moving in (§ 17 Abs. 1 BMG).
Bring your ID and the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord's confirmation of move-in), which the landlord is obliged to issue (§ 19 BMG). Missing the deadline risks a fine of up to 1,000 euros (§ 54 BMG).
§ 17 Abs. 1 BMGIn 60 seconds
The deadline runs from the actual move-in, not from the start of the tenancy agreement.
Without the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung under § 19 BMG the appointment fails: ask your landlord for it early.
Even when moving within the same city you register at the new address; there is no separate de-registration at the old one.
You only de-register if you move abroad and keep no home in Germany (§ 17 Abs. 2 BMG).
Appointments are booked out for weeks in many cities. Book within the deadline, that usually counts as meeting it, even if the appointment itself falls later.
What the law says
Anyone moving into a dwelling must register with the registration authority within two weeks of moving in.
Anmeldung, Ummeldung, Abmeldung: what is the difference?
Colloquially everything is called "ummelden". The Bundesmeldegesetz knows three separate acts:
| Act | When | Deadline | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anmeldung (registration) | moving into a dwelling in Germany, including your first | 14 days after moving in | § 17 Abs. 1 BMG |
| Ummeldung (change of address) | moving within Germany | 14 days after moving in, registering at the new address | § 17 Abs. 1 BMG |
| Abmeldung (de-registration) | moving abroad with no remaining home in Germany | 14 days after moving out | § 17 Abs. 2 BMG |
So if you move within Germany you only register at the new address. The old one is overwritten automatically. No separate de-registration is needed.
What it means for each side
- Book the appointment as soon as the move-in date is fixed, not after the move.
- Bring ID or passport, the completed registration form and the landlord's confirmation.
- If you have more than one home, state which is your main residence.
- Keep the registration confirmation: banks, insurers and employers ask for it.
- The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is mandatory: you must confirm the move-in (§ 19 BMG).
- It contains the landlord's name and address, the move-in date, the address of the dwelling and the names of those moving in.
- Issue it promptly, without it the tenant cannot meet the 14-day deadline.
- A false confirmation, or none at all, is an administrative offence.
Common mistakes
The deadline runs from the actual move-in, not from the start of the contract.
Without the document the appointment fails. Ask early.
In many cities slots are gone for weeks. Book within the deadline and it usually counts as met.
You still have to register at the new address.
Without it your registration and tax records run on, which causes problems later.
What to do next
Ask the landlord for the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung as soon as the move-in date is fixed.
Book the Bürgeramt appointment: within 14 days of moving in.
Take your ID, the form and the confirmation; for families one person can usually register everyone.
Keep the registration confirmation and update your address with bank, insurer, employer and vehicle registration.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to register after moving in?
You must complete your Anmeldung within two weeks, that is 14 days, of moving in (§ 17 Abs. 1 BMG). What counts is the day you actually move into the flat, not the date on your tenancy agreement.
What is a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung and who issues it?
The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord's confirmation of move-in) is your landlord's written confirmation that you have moved into the flat. The landlord must issue it within the two-week registration deadline under § 19 BMG. Without this document the Bürgeramt can refuse your Anmeldung.
What does it cost if I register late?
A late or missed Anmeldung is an Ordnungswidrigkeit (administrative offence) and can be fined up to 1,000 euros (§ 54 BMG). In practice, for a short delay the amounts are usually much lower, but they depend on the city and the length of the delay.
Do I have to re-register if I move within the same town?
Yes. Even if you only move within the same town, you register at the new address. You do not need to separately deregister the old flat within Germany, the authority handles that.
Do I have to deregister if I move abroad?
Yes. If you give up your flat in Germany and do not take up a new flat in Germany, you must complete your Abmeldung (deregistration) within two weeks of moving out (§ 17 Abs. 2 BMG). The Abmeldung is possible at the earliest one week before you move out.
What if my landlord does not issue the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?
If the landlord refuses the confirmation or issues it late, they themselves commit an Ordnungswidrigkeit and risk a fine of up to 1,000 euros (§ 54 BMG). You can inform the Meldebehörde (registration authority), which will then follow up with the landlord.
This page gives general information as at the date shown. It does not replace legal advice on an individual case.