Residence Registration – First thing to do after your arrival in Germany

One of the most common words you hear in Germany is Anmeldung also Registration. In this post, we will talk about the Residence Registration/City Registration that has to be done after your arrival in Germany.

If you are planning to stay for more than 3 months in Germany, you need to register yourself as a resident within 2 weeks of your arrival at the registration office (Anmeldeamt, Bürgerbüro or Bürgeramt) of the city you arrived in.

Why Residence Registration is important?

The residence registration certificate also known as Anmeldebestätigung or Meldebescheinigung is required for many purposes:

1. Tax ID – After registration is completed, you will get the tax id in the post within 3-4 weeks which is required for your employer and for tax claims
2. Health Insurance: once you arrive in Germany, Health insurance is one of the mandatory things and without proof of residence certificate, it is not possible to apply for Health insurance.
3. Bank account: Without a residence registration, you cannot open a bank account in Germany.
4. Residence Permit/work permit
5. University registration
6. Mobile Phone Contract
7. Credit Card without Bank account – Some banks provide the Credit Card without a bank account. Residence Registration is required to apply for such credit cards.
8. Landline internet
9. Vehicle registration permit
10. Pet registration – You read it right and the residence registration certificate is required to register your pet
11. And many more

Documents required for Residence Registration:

You need the documents below to receive your certificate of registration as a resident in Germany

1. Valid Passport or national ID card (original required)
2. Rental agreement from your Landlord (also called Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
3. The registration form signed by landlord (Anmeldeformular/Meldeschein), you can get this form from the Bürgeramt
4. Visa if you have one (optional)
5. Marriage certificate if applicable

How and where to register?

Check your city website and get an appointment or directly visit Bürgeramt which can take more time especially in larger cities.

You can look for it here with your postal code

Please check the timings before directly visiting the registration office

Important things to note:

1. At the time of registration, you will be asked about your religion. If you belong to either Protestant (evangelisch) or Catholic (katholisch), You are required to pay church tax (Kirchensteuer) which is about 8-9% annual income based on the region.
2. According to law, Lately, registration or incorrect address details can make you pay fine up to 1000 euros
3. You need to repeat the registration whenever you are moving to a new residence address.
4. If you are moving out of Germany permanently, it is also mandatory to deregister within 2 weeks
5. After your registration, You will also receive the Rundfunkbeitrag, the national TV and radio tax which costs €17.50 per month.