Residence registration

In principle, anyone who takes up accommodation in a dwelling is obliged to register themselves and all minors living in the same household with the relevant registration authority within three days. Please note that registration is only permitted once actual accommodation has been taken up.

Each person must fill out a separate registration form. Children and young people up to the age of 18 must be registered by the person responsible for their care and upbringing. In certain cases, such as when minors are to be registered at an address where they are accommodated alone with persons who are not responsible for their care and upbringing, different rules may apply.

The registration authority will issue one registration confirmation (“Meldebestätigung”) for each person upon application if the necessary documents are provided.

As the residence registration (“Wohnsitzmeldung”) has legal relevance in various respects and violations can be penalized, it is important to carry it out completely, correctly and in due time and to keep it up to date (in particular, to report relevant changes, such as a change of the nature of the place of residence or moving out of the accommodation, in due time and form). There are also registration obligations to be observed for stays in accommodation establishments ("Beherbergungsbetriebe", e.g. hotels, guest houses, B&Bs), these are regulated separately. Furthermore, the law provides for very few, specific exceptions to the obligation to register. 

Of course, in addition to registering at the address of residence, other “registration obligations” may be relevant, such as applying for a Registration Certificate (see also Immigration EU/EEA/Switzerland).

Further information on the topic of residence registration can be found, for example, on the websites listed below.

Do you have any questions? We look forward to hearing from you and, if needed, can refer you to the appropriate advisory services.