The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung: What It Is and How to Get It from Your Landlord

You’ve just signed the lease for your new apartment in Berlin, Munich, or maybe a smaller city like Freiburg. You’re excited to get your life set up—but then you hit the first real bureaucratic wall. Your landlord hands you the keys, but when you ask for the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation of tenancy), they look confused or say “I’ll send it later.” This single document is the key to unlocking everything else: your Anmeldung (address registration), your bank account, your tax ID, and even your health insurance. Let’s break down exactly what it is, how to get it, and what to do if your landlord drags their feet.

What Is the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?

In simple terms, the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (often abbreviated as Wohnungsgeber or just “the confirmation”) is a signed form from your landlord that confirms you have moved into a specific apartment on a specific date. It is not your rental contract—it’s a separate, legally required document. You need it to complete your Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt (citizen’s office). Without it, you cannot register your address, and without that registration, you cannot open a German bank account, get a phone contract, or even receive your tax ID.

Since 2015, German law (Bundesmeldegesetz §19) has made this document mandatory. Landlords must provide it within two weeks of your move-in date. If they refuse, they can face a fine (Bußgeld) of up to €1,000.

What Information Must the Form Contain?

To be valid, the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung must include the following details. Check every point before you take it to the Bürgeramt:

• Name and address of the landlord (the person or company renting the property to you).
• Your full name (exactly as on your passport or ID).
• Your move-in date (Einzugsdatum).
• The full address of the rental property (street, house number, postal code, city).
• Date of signing and the landlord’s signature.

Some landlords use an official form from the Bürgeramt, but a simple letter with these details is also accepted. The key is that it must be signed by the landlord or their authorized representative (e.g., a property manager).

Why Landlords Are Legally Required to Give It Within 2 Weeks

Many landlords—especially private ones—don’t know the law. They might think, “I’ll give it when you’ve paid the first month’s rent” or “I’ll send it after the inspection.” Legally, they are wrong. According to §19 Abs. 2 Bundesmeldegesetz, the landlord must provide the confirmation immediately after your move-in, and at the latest within two weeks. The law exists to prevent people from living “off the grid” and to ensure accurate population records. If your landlord delays, you have the right to insist—and if they still refuse, you can report them to the Ordnungsamt (public order office).

What to Do If Your Landlord Refuses or Delays

This is the most common problem for internationals. Here’s a step-by-step plan:

1. Politely remind them in writing. Use the template letter below. Send it via email (with read receipt) or as a physical letter with Einschreiben (registered mail).
2. Explain the legal requirement. Mention that it’s §19 Bundesmeldegesetz and that they can be fined up to €1,000 for non-compliance. Most landlords will comply once they realize you know the law.
3. If they still refuse, go to the Bürgeramt anyway. Some Bürgeramt offices will accept a rental contract plus a written statement from you explaining the landlord’s refusal. This is not guaranteed, but it’s worth trying.
4. Report the landlord. Contact your local Ordnungsamt or the Bürgeramt directly. They can issue a fine to the landlord. In Berlin, for example, you can file a complaint online at the Ordnungsamt Berlin website.

Template Letter to Request the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung

Copy and paste this into an email or letter. Replace the placeholders with your details.

Subject: Request for Wohnungsgeberbestätigung according to §19 BMG

Dear [Landlord’s Name],

I moved into the apartment at [address] on [move-in date]. According to §19 of the German Federal Registration Act (Bundesmeldegesetz), you are required to provide me with a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung within two weeks of my move-in.

Please fill out and sign the attached form (or provide the following information in a signed letter):

• Your full name and address
• My full name
• The property address
• My move-in date
• Your signature and the date

I need this document to complete my Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt. Please send it to me by [date, e.g., 3 days from now]. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

The Chicken-and-Egg Problem: Anmeldung, Bank Account, and Address

Here’s the classic catch-22 that drives every international student and expat crazy:

• You need a German bank account to pay rent and receive your salary or scholarship.
• To open a bank account, most banks require a registered address (Anmeldung).
• To do the Anmeldung, you need the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord.
• But you can’t get the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung until you have an apartment address.

How do you break this loop? Here are practical solutions:

Solution 1: Use a “postal address” for the bank first

Some online banks like N26 or Revolut allow you to open an account with just your passport and a temporary address (e.g., your hotel, a friend’s place, or a Postfach—PO box). You can then use this account to pay rent. Once you have the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, you update your address. N26, for example, is known for being flexible with internationals. Their basic account is free, and you can open it in 10 minutes via their app.

Solution 2: Ask your landlord for a “preliminary confirmation”

Explain the situation: “I need the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung to register, but I also need a bank account to pay you. Can you give me a signed confirmation with a future move-in date (e.g., the day you sign the lease)?” Some landlords will agree to this, especially if you show them the law. It’s not strictly legal, but many do it as a courtesy.

Solution 3: Use a Bürgeramt appointment with a “Selbstauskunft”

In some cities (like Munich or Hamburg), the Bürgeramt will accept a written statement from you (Selbstauskunft) if the landlord refuses. You’ll need to explain why you can’t get the confirmation. This is a last resort, but it works in some cases. Check your local Bürgeramt website for their specific rules.

Solution 4: Get a Meldebescheinigung from a friend or sublet

If you are subletting from a friend, the friend (as the Wohnungsgeber) can give you the confirmation. This is perfectly legal. Just make sure the sublet is registered with the main landlord (if required in your contract).

Real Prices and Websites You’ll Need

Practical Summary & Tips

• Get the form before you move in. Ask your landlord to sign it at the key handover. It’s easier than chasing them later.
• Keep a copy. Scan or photograph the signed form immediately. You’ll need it for your Anmeldung, and possibly for your visa extension later.
• Book your Bürgeramt appointment early. In big cities, appointments can be weeks away. Book as soon as you have a move-in date. You can always cancel if needed.
• If your landlord refuses, don’t panic. Use the template letter, mention the €1,000 fine, and if all else fails, report them. You have the law on your side.
• For the chicken-and-egg problem: Open an N26 account with your passport and a friend’s address, then update it after your Anmeldung. It’s the fastest workaround.

Remember: the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is not a favor—it’s your legal right. Stand your ground, and you’ll be registered, banked, and fully set up in no time.