City Registration in Germany: Complete Guide for International Students

What is City Registration in Germany?

City registration (Anmeldung) in Germany is the process of officially declaring your residential address with the Citizens’ Office (Bürgeramt or Einwohnermeldeamt) in your city. It ensures that the authorities know where your address is for legal, tax, and administrative purposes. Without it, you cannot complete many day-to-day formalities in Germany.

Legal Requirements and Purpose

The German law, in Section 17 of the German Federal Registration Act, requires all residents to register their home address at their local Residents’ Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt) within 2 weeks of moving. There are several reasons why you need to do this:

• To receive your registration certificate (Meldebestätigung), which is necessary to open a bank account, apply for your residence permit and other administrative tasks.
• To get a tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer) assigned to you. This is a requirement when you take up a job in Germany.

Who Must Register and When?

In Germany, every resident is legally required to register their place of residence, regardless of nationality, if they will live in Germany for longer than 3 months. You must do this within 14 days of moving to your new residence. This also means that you not only have to register your address when you first move to Germany, but also every time you move to a new address within Germany.

If you do not register your address or miss the deadline without good reason, the authorities might require you to pay a fine. After you complete your registration, you will receive your registration certificate. You will need this document for administrative tasks in Germany, so it is important that you keep it safe.

When Do International Students Need to Register in Germany?

International students must also register their new address in Germany within 2 weeks of arriving. This will be one of the first tasks you will need to complete after you arrive.

Registration Timeline for Students

The registration timeline for students is quite similar to that of other residents. Most cities will require you to complete your Anmeldung within 14 days of moving in. Major cities might have a longer waiting list, making it hard for you to find an appointment on time. In this case, it is considered enough to make an appointment within the deadline period.

The timeline also depends on if you move into your student accommodation immediately after you arrive in Germany. If that is the case, then you also have exactly 2 weeks to work on registering your address. Many students first stay in temporary accommodation (e.g. an Airbnb or with a friend) while searching for their own place. This means that the 2-week deadline will only apply after you have your own address.

Documents Required for City Registration in Germany

Having the correct documents before your registration appointment saves time and prevents multiple trips to the Bürgeramt (Citizen's Office).

Essential Documents Checklist

All residents in Germany, regardless of the purpose of stay or nationality, need to provide similar documentation to successfully go through the registration process. These include:

• Valid passport
• Your visa or residence permit
• Landlord confirmation letter (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
• Rental agreement or housing contract
• Completed Anmeldung form (if available on the website of your local registration office)
• Previous registration certificate (if moving from another German address)

How to Do City Registration in Germany?

There are 2 ways for you to do your city registration in Germany—either online or in person. Both ways are usually straightforward but understanding the process beforehand can help make the experience easier.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

While the registration process might slightly differ from city to city, there are a few standard steps that can help you know what to expect:

1. Schedule your appointment: Most cities allow you to make an appointment for your registration online through the official city website. If this option is not available, you can call the Bürgeramt or pass by to request an appointment. Make sure you do this as soon as you move to your fixed address.
2. Gather the required documents: Put together your passport, Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, the completed Anmeldung form (if available online) and any other documents your local Bürgeramt might have requested.
3. Attend your appointment: Make sure you arrive at your appointment at the registration office on time and bring all original documents with you. In case you don’t speak German yet, we recommend bringing a German-speaking friend with you, especially if you live in a smaller city.
4. Receive your Meldebestätigung: After the official at the registration office verifies your documents, you will receive your registration certificate immediately during your appointment.

Online Registration Options

The following federal states allow residents to complete the entire registration process online:

• Berlin
• Bremen
• Hamburg
• Rhineland-Palatinate
• Schleswig-Holstein

Additionally, several cities in the remaining federal states also facilitate an online city registration process. Currently, this option is only available for German and EU citizens who are changing their address within Germany. This means that all internationals, especially newcomers, need to do the registration in person at the Bürgeramt.

In-Person Registration Procedure

If you need to do your city registration in person, you will first need to make an appointment with your local citizen’s office. You can do this either by calling them, using their online portal (if available) or passing by the office. Some cities allow walk-in appointments but it’s better to be on the safe side and set an appointment in advance.

On the day of your appointment, make sure you arrive there on time with a few minutes to spare. It’s also important that you bring all documents in original with you. You will be assigned a number and asked to wait in a room until your number is called. The registration appointment takes around 15 minutes. The official will look through your documents and then issue you with your registration certificate immediately.

In major cities like Berlin or Frankfurt, you might find that the officials at the Bürgeramt speak English. However, it is recommended that you bring a German speaker with you to the appointment. If you are a student, the international office of your university is usually happy to help with this. For international professionals, you may ask a colleague to accompany you.

How to Book Appointment for City Registration in Germany?

Depending on the city you live in, you can book your appointment for city registration either through online booking systems, by making a call or in person.

Appointment Booking Systems

Most cities in Germany use online booking systems for city registration appointments. You can typically find a link to the booking system on your city’s official website or by searching “[your city] + Anmeldung” on Google.

In most cases, the websites and booking systems are available in both English and German. The booking systems display available appointment slots for the next few days. If you live in a big city, chances are that there are a few registration offices in your city. In most cases, you are not obligated to visit the one closest to you and you can book an appointment with the one with the soonest slot.

Best Times to Schedule Registration

Scheduling your registration appointment for early morning hours will offer you flexibility and less waiting times. Additionally, most registration offices release new appointment slots early in the morning, so this is also the best time to visit their websites to grab an appointment.

Walk-in vs Appointment Registration

In smaller towns and less busy areas, walk-in registrations are sometimes possible, meaning you can visit the Bürgeramt without booking in advance. However, waiting times can still be long if you arrive during peak hours. Therefore, it’s best to be there shortly before their opening hours.

Many major cities in Germany don’t allow walk-in registrations due to efficiency concerns. However, in many states there are selected offices in bigger cities that accommodate walk-in registrations during specific days.

If you are unsure whether your city allows walk-ins, always check the local authority’s website. Some offices publish real-time availability or same-day cancellations, which can be a helpful alternative if appointments are fully booked.

Where to Register as International Student in Germany?

You must register at the local Bürgeramt in the city where you live. Some cities have multiple offices from which you can select one.

Bürgeramt Location and Services

The Bürgeramt (citizens’ office) is the local authority where you complete your city registration, but it also provides a wide range of public services. Besides Anmeldung, you can request administrative services, update marital status records, and handle changes of address (Ummeldung).

Some offices also process parking permits, issue residence certificates for visa purposes, and assist with registering secondary residences. The Bürgeramt typically operates during standard business hours with most of them closed on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. This however varies from city to city.

Most larger cities have several Bürgerämter, often spread across different districts. Students are normally free to book an appointment at any office within the city, although it is often easiest to choose one close to your home or university. In smaller towns, there may be just one central office that handles all registration matters.

Registration Offices by City

Every German city manages registration through its own local Bürgerämter, and the organisation can differ widely depending on the size of the city. Here are a few websites of specific German cities for you to make an appointment for city registration:

• City registration in Frankfurt
• City registration in Berlin
• City registration in Munich
• City registration in Cologne
• City registration in Stuttgart
• City registration in Bonn
• City registration in Hamburg

If your city is not listed above, don’t worry, simply search “[your city] + Anmeldung” on Google and you’ll find the responsible website.

Student Service Centers

Many German universities have student service centres or international offices that provide city registration assistance for international students. Typically, they will help you book an appointment and if you don’t speak German, they will assign a student tutor to accompany you to the appointment.

City Registration Cost in Germany

Generally, the city registration process should not cost you anything. This makes it accessible for all, regardless of budget.

Standard Registration Fees

The Anmeldung procedure is typically free of charge for all residents in Germany including internationals. However, it can happen that a city or municipality charges a small fee for the administrative effort.

If this is the case, then the registration of your residence in Germany should not cost you more than 20 euros. You can find out in advance about any costs that may be incurred by calling or checking the homepage of your city website.

Consequences of City Registration in Germany

Registering your address allows you to complete administrative tasks in Germany much easier. It acts as the foundation for your official identity in Germany, allowing you to prove your residence whenever required.

Benefits of Proper Registration

Completing your city registration in Germany has benefits such as:

• You receive your tax ID, which is a requirement to take up employment.
• Your choices of German banks expand when you have the registration certificate.
• Most internet and mobile phone contract providers also require the city registration certificate.

What Happens After Registration?

After you complete the Anmeldung process, you will receive your registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) during your appointment. This becomes one of the most vital documents during your stay in Germany.

Within 2 weeks, the tax office (Finanzamt) will automatically send you your tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer) by mail. In case you need this document sooner, you can go to the Finanzamt responsible for your district with your Meldebescheinigung and passport and request it.

Soon after you register your new address, you will also receive a letter informing you about radio tax (Rundfunkbeitrag) in Germany. This is a German broadcasting fee that every household in Germany must pay. In 2025, the radio tax costs €18.36 per month.