The rules
- Anyone moving into a residence must register within 2 weeks (§17 Bundesmeldegesetz). This applies to Germans, EU citizens and non-EU citizens alike.
- Late registration can be fined (up to €1,000 in law; in practice small fines or a warning are common).
- The landlord must give you the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung within 2 weeks (§19 BMG). Registering at an address where you don't live ("Scheinanmeldung") is illegal and can be fined up to €50,000.
- You get a Meldebescheinigung. This is the document banks, employers and the Ausländerbehörde ask for.
What to bring
- Passport or ID card (each family member)
- Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (signed by the landlord, not just the rental contract)
- Completed registration form (Anmeldeformular), downloadable from your city's website
- Marriage and birth certificates (translated) if you register family members — they determine tax class and names
Moving within Germany
- Register the new address within 2 weeks — there is no separate de-registration for moves within Germany.
- Update the address on your eAT/ID card (done at the registration office) and at the bank, employer, Krankenkasse, Rundfunkbeitrag and insurers.
- Order a mail forwarding service (Nachsendeauftrag) from Deutsche Post: around €30 for 6 months.
Leaving Germany
- Abmeldung (de-registration) is required when you move abroad — at the earliest 1 week before departure.
- Also cancel the Rundfunkbeitrag, Krankenkasse and contracts. Leaving Germany is a special termination right for many contracts (gym, mobile) — keep the Abmeldung certificate as proof.
- Non-EU: a stay abroad of more than 6 months usually cancels your residence permit unless the Ausländerbehörde approved a longer absence beforehand (§51 AufenthG). Settlement permits and Blue Cards have longer limits — check before a long trip.
Words
Anmeldung = registration · Abmeldung = de-registration · Ummeldung = change of address · Hauptwohnsitz/Nebenwohnsitz = main/second residence · Meldebescheinigung = registration certificate
Official sources: your city's service portal (search "Anmeldung + city name") · verwaltung.bund.de