Moving is not all about packing. There is also quite a bit of admin involved, and one thing you will need to do is register your change of address. In Germany, this is a legal obligation. Getting this done in time will save you having to handle follow-up questions or arrange additional appointments.
In this guide, we set out what deadlines apply, which documents you need and how you can register your change of address at your local registration office or online.
Topics at a glance
Once you move, you generally have to register your change of address within 14 days. The allowed period may vary slightly from place to place. You should therefore inquire at the relevant local registration office for your new place of residence.
This period begins once you actually move in, i.e., on the day you take up residence. The move-in date is often specified on the landlord’s confirmation of residence. This may differ from the start of the lease agreement. For example, the lease agreement may already apply from the first of the month but you may not move in until the 15th.
In some places, it can be difficult to get an appointment at the local registration office, but you are still expected to meet the deadline. Therefore, please arrange an appointment at an early stage or check if your municipality offers an online change of address facility.
After registering the change of address: Keep the proof of registration safe. This is official evidence of your new address and can often be requested, for example by employers, for nursery or school matters, when registering a car or when entering into new contracts.
Many cities and towns now offer an online facility for registering a change of address. This depends on the respective municipality, and in some cases the federal state as well. If you cannot register your change of address online, you can always do so via the local registration office.
If your municipal authority offers electronic residence registration, you can then handle everything online.
Generally, you will need the following:
Enter your new address and move-in date in the online form. Upload the landlord’s confirmation of residence. After successful verification, you will receive a digital confirmation of registration.
Changing the address on your personal ID card: Depending on the process, the address is
Check the municipality’s website in advance to see which options are available and what technical requirements must be met.
If there is no option to register your change of address online or you would like to do so in person, you can take care of this at your local registration office. You will generally need to make an appointment, and it is worth booking this as early as possible to ensure you meet the legal deadline. Bring all necessary documents with you to avoid follow-up questions and potentially a second appointment.
In most cases, you will need to attend the local registration office yourself. However, some municipal authorities will allow someone else with a power of attorney for you to register your change of address. Check in advance what is required in your city or municipality.
Both options lead to the same outcome: Your new address is recorded on the register.
The one that makes most sense for you depends in the main on whether your municipality offers an online change of address facility and whether you can meet the technical requirements.
Availability
Depends on the municipality (and federal state in some cases)
Possible in all municipalities
Appointment needed
No
Often yes
Technical requirements
Online ID with PIN, BundID/user account, NFC device, AusweisApp
No technical requirements
Landlord’s confirmation of residence
Digital upload
Paper form (digital upload also possible in some municipalities)
Identity check
Electronic via online ID
In person
Updated address on ID card
Digital, via mail, brief appointment
Immediately on the spot
You have to submit certain documents to register your change of address. This depends on your specific situation. However, some are almost always requested.
You will usually need:
Make sure the ID documents are up to date to avoid delays
The landlord’s confirmation of residence (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) confirms that you have actually moved into the residence. It is issued by the landlord, the property manager or, if you own the residence, yourself as the property owner.
It is required by law and generally sets out the:
Important: The lease agreement alone is usually not enough. What matters is the day you actually move in, not the start of the agreement.
Depending on your circumstances, further documents may be needed, such as:
Check the website of the relevant local registration office to find out what you need in advance. You can then be sure that you have all the necessary documents with you to register your change of address at the appointment.
Depending on your living situation, there may be some special considerations. We explain some of these below so that you can correctly register your change of address and avoid follow-up questions.
Even if you are just moving within the same city, you still need to register your change of address. Every time you change residence, you are obliged to update this information on the register.
The office responsible is the local registration office (Bürgeramt) for your new place of residence. Depending on the city, this may be different if you move to another district.
When you register a change of address, you have to specify whether this is your primary residence (Hauptwohnsitz) or secondary residence (Nebenwohnsitz).
The address of children and young people also has to be updated following a move.
You can often register a change of address for the whole family in one go. If custodians live separately, a declaration of consent (Einverständniserklärung) may also be needed – for example if one parent will not attend the appointment.
The exact paperwork required differs from municipality to municipality.
If you cannot make the appointment yourself, many municipalities allow an authorized representative to carry out this task for you.
Usually they require:
The respective municipality decides whether a representative is acceptable and what documents are required. You should therefore find out what you need for the relevant local registration office in advance.
If you do not register your change of address before the deadline, this may be considered an administrative offense. You may then incur a penalty, depending on the municipality. Whether this is the case and how much might be due is decided at local level and can differ.
Regardless of this, missing the deadline to register your change of address can lead to organizational issues in your day-to-day life:
Prepare well, and the process of registering your change of address will be straightforward. These points here will help you to avoid follow-up questions and unnecessary delays:
You generally have 14 days from your move-in date to register your change of address.
If you would like to register your change of address online, make sure that your online ID function is activated and you know your PIN.
In most cases, you cannot register your change of address without the landlord’s confirmation of residence. Begin this process early so that you can submit a complete application.
Check which residence is where your life is centered. This will avoid you having to correct the information later.
Appointments are limited in many municipalities. Secure an appointment early on if there is no online option for registering the change of address.
You generally have 14 days from your move-in date to register your change of address.
Check which residence is where your life is centered. This will avoid you having to correct the information later.
If you would like to register your change of address online, make sure that your online ID function is activated and you know your PIN.
Appointments are limited in many municipalities. Secure an appointment early on if there is no online option for registering the change of address.
In most cases, you cannot register your change of address without the landlord’s confirmation of residence. Begin this process early so that you can submit a complete application.
