Anmeldung

Register your address at the Bürgeramt. This is the first thing you do — it unlocks your bank account, health insurance, and almost everything else.

Last verified: May 2026

What it is

Anmeldung (registration) means officially telling the German government where you live. You register at your local Bürgeramt (citizens’ office). You must do this within 14 days of moving in — in practice, most people do it within the first week.

Your Anmeldebescheinigung (registration certificate) is the document that proves you live in Berlin. You’ll need it to:

  • Open a bank account
  • Sign up for health insurance
  • Register for a tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer)
  • Get a library card, gym membership, and many other services

Do this first. Everything else waits.

What you need

  • Passport or national ID — original, not a copy
  • Wohnungsgeberbestätigung — a signed confirmation from your landlord (or the person you’re subletting from) that you live at the address. This is a legal requirement. Your landlord must provide it.
  • Completed Anmeldeformular — the registration form. You can fill it in online or at the office. Download it here (German only — use browser translate).
  • If you’re registering a family: bring documents for everyone

Step by step

  1. Get the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord. This is the step most people miss. Ask for it as soon as you sign your lease.

  2. Book an appointment at a Bürgeramt. Book online at berlin.de. Appointments fill up fast — book the moment you arrive. Walk-in queues exist but take hours.

  3. Fill in the Anmeldeformular. Download it, print it, and fill it in before your appointment. You can also ask for one at the office.

  4. Go to your appointment. Bring passport, Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, and completed form.

  5. Receive your Anmeldebescheinigung. Printed on the spot. Keep it safe — you’ll need it repeatedly.

Common mistakes

  • Not getting the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung first. You cannot register without it. Your appointment will be turned away.
  • Booking too late. Appointments are scarce. Book your appointment before you even start looking for a bank.
  • Not bringing the original passport. Copies are not accepted.
  • Registering at a temporary address (Airbnb, hotel). You should register at your permanent address. If you’re in temporary accommodation, wait until you have a permanent address — or ask your host for the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung.

How long it takes

The appointment itself is 10-15 minutes. The wait for an appointment is usually 1-3 weeks. Book immediately.