Registering your address and the landlord’s confirmation

In short: Anyone who moves into a new home in Germany must register with the registration office within two weeks. For this you usually need a confirmation from the landlord, the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung.

In more detail: The duty to register is set out in the Federal Registration Act and applies equally to tenants, owners and subtenants. The person providing the accommodation must confirm the move-in in writing or electronically. Missing the deadline risks a fine. The exact procedures vary from municipality to municipality.

In detail

• Where to register: The responsible office is the citizens’ office (Bürgeramt) or residents’ registration office at the new place of residence. Many cities require an appointment, and some also offer online registration.
• Documents: You usually need an identity card or passport, the landlord’s confirmation and, where applicable, documents for family members moving with you.
• Landlord’s confirmation: It contains the name and address of the person providing the accommodation, the move-in date, the address of the flat and the names of the people required to register.
• Who confirms: The provider is usually the landlord or a management company they have appointed. In the case of subletting, the main tenant confirms.
• Deregistering: When moving within Germany, registering at the new place is enough. Deregistration is needed above all when moving abroad.
• Sham registrations: Issuing a confirmation for someone who does not actually move in is prohibited and can be punished with a heavy fine.
• Secondary residence: Anyone with several homes registers a main and a secondary residence. Some cities charge a second-home tax for secondary residences.
• Afterwards: The new address is noted on the identity card. Also inform vehicle registration, your bank, insurers, your employer and the broadcasting licence fee service.
• Planning: It is best to include registration in your moving plan and book an appointment early (umzug-planen-checkliste, untermiete, rundfunkbeitrag-wer-zahlt-und-wer-sich-befreien-lassen-kann).