Anmeldung means compulsory registration of the home where you actually live. The Federal Registration Act requires registration within two weeks of moving in, not two weeks after entering Germany.
Where and how do you register?
Use the Meldebehörde, the local registration authority. Its public-facing name may be Bürgeramt, Bürgerbüro, Kundenzentrum, or another city-specific term.
Berlin allows residents to use citizens' offices across the city for this service. Munich routes it through its citizens' offices, while Hamburg uses Hamburg Service locations. Check the official local portal for appointments and online eligibility.
If appointment supply is poor, book the earliest available slot and keep the confirmation showing that you acted promptly.
Which documents are required?
Bring a valid passport or accepted identity document and the completed registration form where the city requires one.
The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is the housing-provider confirmation stating the address, move-in date, provider details, and people moving in. A rental contract alone does not replace it.
For a sublet, the main tenant may be the housing provider. Families may need identity and civil-status documents depending on the local process. Check whether originals, translations, or powers of attorney are required.
If you have several German homes, declare which one is the Hauptwohnung, your main residence. Some municipalities charge a second-home tax for an additional residence.
What happens afterwards?
You receive an Anmeldebestätigung or Meldebescheinigung, the official registration confirmation. Store paper and digital copies.
Your registration data is sent to the Federal Central Tax Office, which can trigger the tax identification letter. The public broadcasting contribution service may also contact the household.
Non-EU residents often need the registration confirmation for the local immigration authority. Banks, employers, insurers, and licence offices may request it too.
Register again after moving to another German address. Deregistration is usually relevant when leaving Germany or giving up certain additional homes, not for an ordinary move between German municipalities.
Make sure every person who moved in appears correctly on the confirmation before leaving the office.
Common misconceptions
The clock does not start when you sign the lease if you move in later. It starts with actual occupancy.
A landlord cannot lawfully offer a fictional registration address where you do not live.
Summary
Obtain the housing-provider confirmation, book the local registration authority, and register within two weeks of moving in.
Keep the official confirmation and use the same spelling of your name across the mailbox, bank, tax, insurance, and residence records.
Sources
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