Anmeldung — registering your address with the local authority — is one of the first things you must do after arriving in Germany. Without it, you can’t open a German bank account, receive official mail, set up a contract, or in many cases apply for a residence permit. Here’s how to do it correctly.
When to Do It
You have 14 days from moving into a permanent address to complete your Anmeldung. Most cities are stricter than others about this timeline. Do it within the first two weeks — it simplifies everything that comes after.
If you’re staying in temporary accommodation (Airbnb, hostel, student dorm waiting list), you cannot usually do Anmeldung until you have a confirmed, permanent address. Some cities allow temporary registration with a landlord declaration; check with your local Einwohnermeldeamt (residents’ registration office).
What You Need
Personalausweis or passport (original). Your rental agreement or a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (housing provider confirmation) — a form your landlord fills out confirming you live at the address. Download this form from your city’s official website; it’s standardized. Some cities also require a completed Anmeldeformular (registration form), available at the office or online.
Where to Go
Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt — the local residents’ registration office. In some cities (Berlin, Munich) this requires an appointment booked online in advance. In smaller cities, walk-in appointments are possible during office hours. The appointment itself takes 10-15 minutes once you’re in front of the clerk.
Booking an Appointment in Major Cities
Berlin: Bürgeramt appointment via service.berlin.de — often booked 3-6 weeks out. Check early morning for cancellations. Munich: Kreisverwaltungsreferat (KVR), appointments at muenchen.de. Also check for cancellation slots early in the morning. Frankfurt: stadtfrankfurt.de/buergeramt. Check for multiple district offices — some districts have shorter wait times than the central office.
What You Receive
Anmeldebestätigung (confirmation of registration): A one-page document with your registered address and date of registration. This is an important document — you’ll need it for opening bank accounts (N26 requires it), registering for university, applying for your residence permit, and many other administrative steps. Make copies and keep the original safely.
Changing Your Address Later
When you move within Germany, you must do an Ummeldung (change of address registration) within 14 days. The process is identical to Anmeldung. When you leave Germany, you should do Abmeldung (deregistration) — this stops certain automatic charges (like TV license) and is required if you’re leaving permanently.
