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When you change your address within Germany, you do not need to deregister at the old address — registering at the new one is enough. Guide to deadlines, documents, and what else to update.
Deadline
14 days from move-in
Fee
Free of charge
Responsible authority
Bürgeramt at the new location
Ummeldung is the change of registered address within Germany. Legally, you register at the new address and the central population register (Melderegister) automatically removes the old registration — you do not need to visit the old Bürgeramt separately.
Under § 17 paragraph 1 of the Bundesmeldegesetz (BMG), the registration must be completed within 14 days of moving into the new flat. The rule is the same for an initial Anmeldung and an Ummeldung — the only difference is that with Ummeldung you are already in the system.
You go to the same Bürgeramt (or another branch in the same city). The system recognises that you already exist — you receive a new Meldebescheinigung with the new address.
You go to the Bürgeramt of the new city. The old registration is removed automatically through the central register. You do not need to visit the old Bürgeramt.
The procedure is the same as for moving to another city. You also need to update vehicle registration (Kfz-Zulassung) and your driving licence with the authorities of the new state.
The list is almost identical to the initial Anmeldung — the key difference is that you already have a Steuer-ID and an old Meldebescheinigung, so you do not need to request new ones.
Bring the original and one copy. For all adult family members who are moving with you.
Signed confirmation from the new landlord that you have moved in, under § 19 BMG. The old landlord does not need to sign anything.
The same form as for the initial registration — download it from the new Bürgeramt website or fill it in on site. Tick the field for Ummeldung.
Obtain the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
Ask the new landlord to fill in and sign the form within two weeks of move-in — this is their statutory obligation under § 19 BMG.
Book an appointment at the new city Bürgeramt
In most cities appointments are booked online. See our directory of Bürgerämter for the 12 largest German cities.
Go to the counter with your documents
Bring passport/ID card, completed Anmeldeformular, and Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. The procedure takes 10–15 minutes.
Collect the new Meldebescheinigung
You receive it on the spot. It is your proof of the new address — used for bank, insurance, employer, and many other things.
Since 2024, some German cities offer electronic Ummeldung through the BundID portal. It is currently mostly available to residents with a German eID (chip in the ID card) or an electronic residence permit.
Currently confirmed cities: Berlin (via service.berlin.de) and Hamburg (via serviceportal.hamburg.de) for selected scenarios, plus several other cities rolling out the service in stages. The list keeps growing — check the website of your municipality.
Not available everywhere
The Bürgeramt automatically informs some authorities (tax office, federal population register), but most other obligations have to be updated by you. List of the most important ones:
The old address is usually forwarded automatically, but it is safer to register the new address yourself at rundfunkbeitrag.de — a single short form.
Inform your health insurer (TK, AOK, Barmer or other) via the member portal or by email. The address is not changed automatically through the Bürgeramt.
Update the address through the app or online banking. Inform any banks where you hold savings or investment accounts as well.
The new address appears on the payslip (Lohnabrechnung) and the annual tax certificate (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung). Without an update, documents are sent to the old address.
Update the address on your driving licence at the Führerscheinstelle and on the vehicle registration at the Kfz-Zulassungsstelle. If you move to a different federal state you receive new licence plates.
§ 54 BMG — fine up to EUR 1,000
Everything you need to register in Germany: documents, deadlines, Bürgeramt, health insurance, bank.
Read moreHow to book an appointment, what to bring, and what to expect at the counter.
Read moreDeregistration of residence on permanent departure or absence over six months — deadlines, documents, consequences.
Read moreLast updated: April 2026. Information based on the Bundesmeldegesetz (§ 17, § 19, § 54).