What is Anmeldung (Germany address registration)?
Mandatory registration of your address at the local citizens' office in Germany, usually required within about two weeks of moving in.
Also searched as: Meldebescheinigung, Germany registration.
The Anmeldung registers your residence at the Bürgeramt and produces a Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate). It is a prerequisite for a tax ID, a bank account, a phone contract and residence-permit steps.
You typically need your passport, a rental contract and a landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). Appointments can be scarce in big cities, so book early.
Reviewed July 2026. General information, not legal, tax or immigration advice — always verify current official requirements.
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