Change of place of residence in Germany: which office to report to
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Citizens of Ukraine who have found refuge in Germany must report a change of address to state institutions. Find out how the address change procedure works
Ukrainians residing in Germany must report a change of address to state institutions. This process is similar to registration after arriving in the country.
Address change procedure in Germany
There are two types of re-registration in the country:
1. Anmelden – moving to another municipality;
2. Ummelden – moving within the boundaries of its municipality.
How to notify about moving?
If you change your address within the municipality, notify the local authority.
When moving within the country, register at the municipality in the affairs of citizens of the new city. It is not necessary to inform the municipality to which the previous residence was concerned.
Be sure to notify us of your change of address:
• Landlord - write a letter at least three months before moving;
• Utility companies, if bills are paid by the landlord;
• Internet and telephone service providers. Maybe you will save contracts;
• Tax inspection. If the tax office (Finanzamt) does not change when moving, this office may not be informed;
• "Jobcenter" or "Sozialamt" if you receive unemployment benefits or other social benefits;
• "Familienkasse", if you receive child benefits;
• Other institutions with which you have entered into an agreement, for example, a gym, insurance companies, banks.
All important notifications in Germany are sent both physically and by e-mail. There is no special form for reporting a change of address. The main thing is to indicate your surname and first name, old and new addresses. So that the representatives of the specified institutions can read the information, write the letter in German. See the sample letter at the link.
Prepare the necessary documents
Make an appointment at the town hall (online, by phone or in person) and bring the following documents:
• Passport;
• Residence permit (if you have one);
• Completed registration form "Anmeldung";
• “Wohnungsgeberbestätigung” – a certificate of residence at the specified address, which is filled out by the homeowner.
Importantly! All family members must be present during the visit. You can pay for registration in cash at the payment terminal.
Registration document
"Meldebestätigung" is a German document that shows that you are registered at a certain address. You can get it from the "Kundenzentrum" or "Einwohnermeldeamt" department in the town hall of your place of residence.
The "Meldebestätigung" is issued by the employees of the Kundenzentrum immediately after the application, after checking the documents, entering the data into the database and paying for the service.
Refugees from Ukraine can get this document free of charge. For the rest of the people, it is paid – 12 euros for all family members.
We emphasize that it is forbidden to live in Germany without a residence permit. However, there are certain periods when a person may not register in the accommodation. If you are registering for the first time, you have 10 days. If you register at a new address - two weeks.
Remember the fines: you will receive a fine of up to 1,000 euros for not meeting the registration deadlines.
Change your mail address
"Deutsche Post" offers to use the mail forwarding service. Fill out the appropriate application, pay for the service, and receive letters or parcels to a new address.
We will remind you! Earlier, we talked about how to stay in Germany after the end of hostilities on the territory of Ukraine. Learn more about obtaining a permanent residence permit here.
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