Anmeldung in Germany — Complete guide in English
When you move to Germany, you are legally required to register your address within 14 days. This process is called the Anmeldung. You do it at the local Bürgeramt (citizens' office). Here is everything you need to know.
What is the Anmeldung?
The Anmeldung is the official registration of your residential address in Germany. It is required by law under §17 of the Bundesmeldegesetz (Federal Registration Act). Every person living in Germany — including EU citizens and non-EU nationals — must register. After registering, you receive a Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate). You need this document to open a bank account, sign contracts, get health insurance, and receive your tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer).
What documents do you need?
You need to bring: (1) a valid passport or national ID card, (2) the completed Anmeldung form (which our tool helps you fill out), and (3) a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung — a signed confirmation from your landlord that you live at the address. Some cities may also ask for your rental contract. If you are registering a spouse or children, bring their documents too.
How to fill out the Anmeldung form
The official form is in German only. You need to enter your personal details (name, date of birth, nationality), your new address, your previous address, your marital status, and your ID document details. Our tool guides you through every field in your language and generates the completed German form as a PDF you can print.
What is the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?
This is a landlord confirmation form. Your landlord must sign it to confirm that you live at the stated address. It is legally required. Without it, the Bürgeramt will not process your registration. Ask your landlord for this document before your appointment.
Booking a Bürgeramt appointment
In most cities, you need to book an appointment online or by phone. In Berlin, appointments are booked through the service.berlin.de portal. In Munich, use muenchen.de. Appointments can be hard to get — book as early as possible. Some offices also accept walk-ins early in the morning, but this varies by city.
What happens at the Bürgeramt?
You will wait in a waiting room until your number is called. At the desk, hand over your documents. The clerk will review your form, enter your data into the system, and give you a Meldebescheinigung. The whole process usually takes 10–15 minutes. The staff typically speak only German, but the process is straightforward if your documents are complete.
Church tax warning (Kirchensteuer)
On the Anmeldung form, there is a field for religion. If you list a recognized religious community (Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish), you will automatically be enrolled in the church tax — about 8–9% on top of your income tax. If you do not wish to pay church tax, leave this field empty or write "none" (keine). Changing this later requires a formal process at the Amtsgericht (local court) and costs around €30.
After the Anmeldung — what comes next?
After registration, your tax ID will be sent by post within 4–6 weeks. You should also: get health insurance (required by law), open a German bank account, and consider getting a German SIM card. If you are a non-EU citizen, you may also need to apply for or renew your residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde.
Free. Private. No account needed.