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Answer · Moving within Germany

Do you have to re-register when you move within Germany?

Yes. Moving into a new home means registering that address with the registration office responsible for it, within two weeks of moving in, using the new landlord's signed confirmation. You normally do not deregister the old address separately — the new registration replaces it. Deregistration is for leaving Germany or giving up a home without taking a new one.

Last verified: 19 September 2026 · Settling in

At a glance

Deadline
Two weeks from moving in
Where
Registration office responsible for the new address
Needed
Passport or ID, signed landlord confirmation for the new home
Old address
Replaced automatically; no separate deregistration inside Germany
Cost
Usually free; some municipalities charge for extra certificates
Knock-on updates
Contribution service, vehicle papers, insurer, bank, employer, immigration office

Who this applies to

  • You are moving to a different flat in the same city or to another city in Germany.
  • You hold a residence permit and need to know who else has to be told.
  • You are moving out without a new German address yet.

Who else needs the new address

  • The broadcasting contribution service: liability follows the home, so report both the old and the new flat to avoid paying twice.
  • Your vehicle papers, if you own a registered car — the address in the registration documents has to match.
  • Health insurer, bank, employer and any authority currently processing an application for you.
  • The immigration office, if you hold a residence title — a new address can also change which office is responsible for you.

Moving to another city

The process is the same, but the office is different, and so are its appointment waiting times and local practices. Book the appointment in the new city as soon as you have the move-in date, rather than after the move.

For a residence title, a move across municipal boundaries can transfer your file to a different immigration office. Ask which office is responsible before your next permit deadline, not during it.

Special cases

  • Moving out with no new German home: this is deregistration, and it has its own process.
  • Keeping two homes in Germany: one is the main residence, and which one it is has to be stated.
  • Moving in with someone: the person who provides the home signs the landlord confirmation, even if they are a tenant themselves.
  • Children living with you are registered as part of the same move.

Documents you need

  • Passport or national ID for everyone moving
  • Signed landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) for the new home
  • Residence permit, where you hold one
  • Marriage or birth certificates, if the office asks for family entries

Common mistakes

  • Missing the two-week deadline because of appointment waiting times — book before you move.
  • Forgetting the broadcasting contribution and paying for two flats.
  • Leaving the old address in the vehicle registration documents.
  • Not telling the immigration office while a permit application is being processed.

What happens next

  • You receive the registration certificate for the new address.
  • Tax and contribution records follow the new address automatically.
  • You update the remaining organisations from your own list, which is the part no authority does for you.

How Burokrat helps

Workflow support

Reading the answer is the first half. Burokrat turns it into a tracked workflow:

  • A personalized step-by-step path for your situation
  • A document checklist that shows what is still missing
  • Progress tracking across connected tasks
  • Reminders for deadlines and appointment dates
  • Source-cited guidance, with the official page behind each step
  • Trusted partner discovery where a professional is genuinely needed
Plan your move inside Germany

Burokrat tracks the deadline and everyone who needs the new address.

Related questions

Do I have to deregister the old flat?
Not when you register a new German address — that replaces it. Deregistration applies when you give up a home without taking a new one in Germany.
Can I register before I move in?
No. Registration is based on actually living there, so the move-in date starts the two-week window.
Does a move affect my residence permit?
The permit stays valid, but the responsible office can change and some titles carry conditions tied to a place. Check your own conditions before the move.

Official sources

Last verified: 19 September 2026

This page is general information about a German administrative process. It is not legal, tax or immigration advice and it does not replace a decision by the responsible authority. Rules, fees and processing times change, and practice differs between cities and offices — always check the official source linked above for your own case.

Related guides

  • After Anmeldung

    The practical sequence of tasks in the weeks after registering an address: certificate, tax ID, bank, insurance, employer, and the broadcasting fee.

  • Anmeldung documents

    The precise document checklist for registration: mandatory papers, family and children cases, representatives, and local variation.

  • Anmeldung in Berlin

    Register your Berlin address: appointment, landlord confirmation, documents and what the Meldebestätigung unlocks.

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