Housing

Deregistering your address (Abmeldung)

If you move abroad or give up a secondary residence, you deregister with the registration office and receive a deregistration certificate.

Last updated: 5 October 2026 · Draft – not yet editorially reviewed.

When you move out of a home in Germany, you need to deregister your address (Wohnsitz abmelden / Abmeldung) if you leave Germany, give up a secondary residence, or no longer have a fixed home in Germany. If you move to another address within Germany, you normally register at your new address instead 1 2 3 4 5 6.

Who needs this

You need to deregister if you move abroad or if you give up a home in Germany without moving into another home in Germany at the same time 1 2 3 4 5 6.
In Hamburg, this also applies if you no longer have a fixed residence in Germany or if you give up a secondary residence without replacement 3.
In Cologne, you need to deregister if you move abroad, give up your secondary residence, or no longer have a fixed residence 4.
In Berlin, deregistration is required when you move abroad or give up a main or secondary residence without moving into another home in Germany 2.
In Hamburg, if you are under 16, the person from whose home you move out must deregister you; from 16 onward, you can deregister without the consent of your legal guardians 3.

Step by step

Check whether you are moving abroad or ending a home in Germany without replacing it with another German address 1 2 3 4 5 6.
Fill out the deregistration form (Abmeldeformular) if you submit it in writing 2 3 4 5 6.
Submit the deregistration in person, by post, or online where the city offers that option 2 3 5 6.
Keep the deregistration confirmation (Abmeldebestätigung / Meldebestätigung) for your records 2 3 4 5 6.

Documents

Valid identity card (Personalausweis) or passport (Reisepass) is required in Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne for the people being deregistered 2 3 4.
In Berlin, if you deregister by post, send the completed form plus a copy of your identity card or passport 2.
In Hamburg, if you deregister in writing, send the form plus copies of the valid identity cards or passports of all persons aged 16 and over 3.
In Cologne, bring the identity documents of the persons moving out; for family deregistration, the documents of all persons moving out are needed 4.
In Munich, you need a copy of the identity card or passport and the completed deregistration form; family members may use one form together in some cases 5.
In Stuttgart, the deregistration form must be completed and signed; written deregistration can also be done by fax or by email with the signed form as a PDF 6.

Cost and time

The deregistration is free in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, and Stuttgart 2 3 4 5 6.
In Hamburg, on-site processing usually takes 5 minutes 3.
In Munich, the processing time is about three to four weeks 5.

Deadlines

You can usually deregister at the earliest 7 days before moving out in Berlin and Hamburg 2 3.
In Cologne, you can deregister one week before moving out 4.
In Munich, deregistration is possible one week before moving out 5.
In Stuttgart, deregistration is possible at the earliest one week before moving out 6.
You must deregister within 14 days after moving out in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, and Stuttgart 2 3 4 5 6.
In Cologne, if you move abroad, you may leave your foreign address when deregistering 4.
In Munich, you may leave your foreign address when moving abroad, and it is stored in the population register 5.

City by city

Berlin: You can deregister at all Berlin Bürgerämter. Written deregistration by post is possible 2.
Hamburg: You can deregister in person or by post. If you give up a Hamburg secondary residence, you also need to deregister it for second-home tax purposes 3.
Cologne: If your main residence is in Cologne, you can deregister at a customer centre of your choice regardless of district; written deregistration requires a signed form 4.
Munich: Written deregistration is possible, and for moves abroad you can also deregister online 5.
Stuttgart: You can deregister in person, in writing, by fax, or by email with a scanned signed form; online deregistration is available when moving abroad 6.