Changing Your Address (Ummeldung)
Moving to a new place within Germany? You have 14 days to update your registration. Here's the process — it's similar to the initial Anmeldung but with a few differences.
When and why you need an Ummeldung
Every time you move to a new address within Germany, you must update your registration. This is called an Ummeldung (re-registration). The rules:
⏰ Deadline: Within 14 days of moving into the new address (same rule as initial Anmeldung)
📍 Where: The Bürgeramt in your new city or district. If you're moving within the same city, you still need to go to a Bürgeramt.
📍 Moving to a different city: You only register in your new city — the old city is automatically notified through the system. You do NOT need to de-register (Abmeldung) from your old city. The new registration replaces the old one.
📍 Moving within the same city: Same process — visit any Bürgeramt in your city and register the new address.
The only time you need a separate Abmeldung (de-registration) is when you're leaving Germany entirely. More on that in the leaving guides.
Important
If you're moving from one city to another for a new semester, this is not optional even if you keep your old apartment. Your main residence (Hauptwohnsitz) should be where you primarily live.
Documents and process
The process is nearly identical to the initial Anmeldung:
- Get your Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your new landlord
- Download and pre-fill the Ummeldung/Anmeldung form from your new city's website
- Book an appointment at the Bürgeramt in your new city (same booking process as before — see the Anmeldung guide for city-specific tips)
- Visit the Bürgeramt with all documents
- Receive your updated Meldebescheinigung
Documents needed:
📄 Passport or national ID card
📄 Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your new landlord
📄 Ummeldung/Anmeldung form (filled out)
📄 Your old Meldebescheinigung (not always required, but bring it)
📄 Marriage certificate / birth certificates (if registering family members too)
The clerk will update your registration in the system. Your old registration is automatically deactivated. You'll get a new Meldebescheinigung with your new address.
Everything else you need to update
The Bürgeramt updates your official registration, but there are many other places you need to notify. Use this checklist:
🏦 Bank — Update your address in your banking app or visit a branch. Important for receiving new debit/credit cards and official correspondence.
🏥 Health insurance (Krankenkasse) — Update online, by phone, or through the app. Your new Gesundheitskarte (health card) may be mailed to you.
🎓 University — Update in the student portal (Studierendensekretariat). Critical if you've moved cities — your university needs your current address.
📺 Rundfunkbeitrag — Update your address at rundfunkbeitrag.de. If you've moved in with someone who already pays, you can de-register yourself.
🏢 Employer — If you have a job, notify your employer so they can update payroll records.
🛂 Ausländerbehörde (non-EU students) — If you've moved to a different city, your case transfers to the new city's Ausländerbehörde. Contact them proactively. If you moved within the same city, still notify them.
📬 Deutsche Post mail forwarding — Set up a Nachsendeauftrag (mail forwarding) at deutschepost.de. For ~€28, they'll forward your mail to your new address for 6 months. Highly recommended.
📱 Phone/internet contracts, magazine subscriptions, online shops — Update everywhere you receive mail or deliveries.
💡 Utilities — If you're moving to a place where you set up your own electricity/internet (not included in rent), you'll need to register with a provider at the new address and cancel at the old one.
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