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SHORT ANSWER
Within two weeks of moving into a flat in Germany, you must register your address at the local registration office (Bürgeramt or Bürgerbüro). You need your passport and a confirmation from your landlord. You receive a registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) on the spot – and your tax ID follows automatically by post.
Deadline
2 weeks
after moving in
You need
Passport + landlord form
plus family documents
You receive
Meldebescheinigung
tax ID follows by post
Fine if late
up to 1.000,00€
Federal Registration Act
Why the Anmeldung matters
The registration is the first official step in Germany and unlocks almost everything else. With your registration certificate you can open a bank account, apply for your residence permit and sign many contracts. The Federal Central Tax Office uses your registration to send you your tax ID.
Step by step
- Get the landlord confirmation. Your landlord (or the main tenant) must give you a written confirmation that you moved in (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). This also applies to furnished and temporary flats you live in.
- Book an appointment early. In many cities appointments are booked out for weeks. Book online as soon as you know your moving date.
- Fill in the registration form. Most cities offer the form online. Register all family members who move in with you at the same time.
- Go to your appointment. Bring all documents. The appointment usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
- Keep your Meldebescheinigung safe. Banks, the immigration office and employers often ask for it.
Documents you need
- Passport or national ID card for each person
- Landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
- Registration form (Anmeldeformular)
- Marriage and birth certificates when registering as a family – sometimes with a certified translation
No appointment within two weeks? Book the earliest available date and keep the booking confirmation. Moving again later? Re-register within two weeks. Leaving Germany? Deregister (Abmeldung) before you go.
Registering in Dresden
In Dresden you register at one of the city’s Bürgerbüros. Appointments are booked online on dresden.de. Moving to Dresden for ESMC or Silicon Saxony? Our guide for Dresden brings all first steps together.
Your next step
- Open a bank account – Part of our first-steps series for expats.
- Personal liability & household contents – One of the most important policies for every household – from a few euros per month.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to register a temporary or furnished flat?
Yes. You must register any flat you actually live in, including furnished and temporary accommodation. Short hotel stays are an exception.
How long do I have to register?
Two weeks after moving in. Late registration can be fined with up to 1.000,00€.
When do I get my tax ID?
Automatically by post after your registration, usually within a few weeks.
Do I need the Anmeldung to open a bank account?
Many banks ask for it. Some online banks accept other proof of address, and everyone has a legal right to a basic account.
This page gives general information and does not replace personal advice. Tax aspects are not considered; finanXpats does not provide tax advice.