We get many questions from our clients that are not related to insurances, and one of the questions that often pop up is "what is an Anmeldung and how to get one?"
An Anmeldung (Registration) is how you officially tell the city that you live here, and while it might seem like just another bureaucratic hurdle, it actually opens doors to pretty much everything you'll need as a Berlin resident. In this blog post we will explain the process and the nuances of this process.
This is a process you might need to do several times during your life in Germany if you move between different apartments.
What is the Anmeldung?
The Anmeldung is Germany's way of keeping track of who lives where. When you register your address at a local Bürgeramt office, you're officially becoming a Berlin resident in the eyes of the government. You have 14 days after moving in to do this, though Berlin tends to be pretty relaxed about enforcing that deadline.
The whole process takes about 10 minutes once you're in the office, costs nothing (unless you have a car), and gets you a registration certificate (Anmeldebestätigung or Meldebestätigung or Meldebescheinigung), that proves you live at your address.
Why you actually need this?
Sure, it's legally required, but more importantly, the Anmeldung unlocks your life in Berlin:
As you can see, the Meldebescheinigung is key for your life in Germany".
Who doesn't need to register?
Essentially you don't need to register if:
So how do you do your Anmeldung?
Online Registration (Limited Options)
Since October 2024, some people can register online. You qualify if you're:
If this is your first time registering in Germany or you're not from the EU, you'll need to do it in person.
In-Person Registration
This is the traditional route and what most newcomers will use. Don't worry—it's straightforward once you get the appointment and know what to bring.
The biggest hurdle here is to get an appointment - You'll need to book an appointment at any Bürgeramt in Berlin (you're not stuck with the one in your neighborhood). Here's how to make it easier:
Keep your appointment confirmation number safe — you'll need it when you arrive.
Can't find an appointment? This is frustratingly common, especially during busy moving seasons. Keep checking back during business hours (mornings are usually best), or consider hiring a service to handle it for you if you're really stuck.
What to bring?
The must-haves
You might also need these
Can we do it in English?
Some Bürgeramt employees speak English, but many don't. The process is pretty simple, but they might ask questions like which floor you live on or how many people live with you. Consider bringing a German-speaking friend or hiring a translator if you're not comfortable with basic German.
Generally though, hiring a translator for this might be an over kill.
Frequently asked questions
This happens more than it should, and it's usually illegal. Some landlords try to avoid registration to dodge taxes or because they're subletting without permission. Unfortunately, fighting this is difficult.
Your best bet is to find housing that explicitly allows registration. Services like HousingAnywhere show whether you can register at their properties, though they tend to be pricier.
This is not an uncommon situation.
German buildings often don't have individual apartment numbers — everyone shares the same street address. If your name isn't on the building's mailbox, you won't get mail. Add "c/o (name on mailbox)" to your address when you register.
For example:
Your Name
c/o Name of the person on the mailbox
Musterstraße 1
10115 Berlin
If you want your mail to arrive in the future, you also want to make sure to include the c/o part by every service where you need to register your address (House contracts, work place, Amazon etc.)
Berlin has minimum space requirements: 9m² per adult, 6m² per child under 6. If your apartment is too small for the number of people registering, they might refuse the registration.
During first-time registration, they'll ask about your religion in the Anmeldung form.
Be careful here — certain answers trigger automatic religion tax deductions (8-9% of your income tax, not your full income). Even if you register as non-religious, they might ask you for clarification later if you were baptized in another country. Keep an eye on your first few paychecks.
Couples, families, and roommates can all register together in one appointment if they're moving to the same address. Just make sure everyone can attend or has signed the proper paperwork.
What's next?
The Anmeldung might seem like just another piece of German bureaucracy, but once you've got that registration certificate in hand, you'll find that everything else starts falling into place. From opening bank accounts to getting your tax ID sorted, this one document really is your key to life in Berlin.
Once you've tackled the Anmeldung, you'll probably have questions about other aspects of settling in Germany — like health insurance, liability coverage, or protecting your belongings in your new apartment. That's exactly the kind of stuff we help people navigate every day. Feel free to reach out if you need guidance on insurance options that actually make sense for your situation in Germany.
Welcome to Berlin! 🏠