FAQ’S – City Registration in Germany

If you are reading this, it may be because you have already previously searched for the city registration, also called “Anmeldung”, in Germany but still feel unsure about it.

This is why we have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions we receive.

In case you don’t know anything about this process yet, we recommend to first read the following blog posts:

Frequently Asked Questions

  •       Do I need to bring the contract?

You do not need to bring the contract with you, but it is possible some offices may want to corroborate the data, and you don’t want to go twice.

  •       I need to register as soon as possible; Do I need to wait until the next registration date available?

In some registration offices you can do your anmeldung without an online appointment. Bear in mind that then the process can take a half day because everyone with an appointment will be given preference. In any case, as every office works independently, you should call first to ask if it’s possible to do the anmeldung without an appointment.

  •    Does matter if the person who signs the confirmation “Wohnungsgeberbestätigung” is the main tenant and not the landlord?

By law, it is forbidden for a third party to offer a room or an apartment without the landlord’s permission. So it is important that the person who signs the confirmation is the landlord and not the main tenant. Even if you are subletting a room or living in the same room with the tenant, the landlord must be aware.

  •      I do not speak German and I don’t know how to fill out the documents, Can I send someone on my behalf?

If you do not speak German, you don’t need to worry about that. Find AiRelo on Facebook Messenger, take a picture of your passport and/or answer a few questions in your mother language, and in a few minutes, you will have the form filled out in German.

However, if you want to send someone on your behalf, the person will have to show their passport or identity card along with an authorization letter signed by yourself.

  •       I am living in a temporary flat/with a friend/in a hostel or hotel, but I need to have the anmeldung, Can I still do it?

There is no problem if the address you provide is not a permanent one, or the address belongs to a friend/a hotel etc.

  •     My landlord/ the main tenant does not want me to register in their flat, What can I do?

If you are in this situation then it is better to continue searching for a place. Registering an address is mandatory by law in Germany and without it, you won’t be able to find a proper job, open a bank account and many other things.

  •     Is there any penalty if I do not have my city registration done within two weeks?

If you do not respect the determined terms you can receive a fine. This fine might go up to a thousand Euros, but there is not a concrete amount established.

As the waiting period for the anmeldung appointment can sometimes take months, if you can prove that you applied for registering your address within the required time, you do not need to worry about the fine.

  •       How long does the registration take?

If you have an appointment and all the documents filled out, the process may take only 10 minutes if everything works as expected. But if you do not have an appointment, then be patient.

Disclaimer: Even if we try to be the most accurate and precise with the information that we provide, we advise you to contact a professional on the topic.

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