Housing

Reporting a move within Germany (Ummeldung)

When you move within the same city or to another municipality in Germany, you register the new address with the registration office at your new place of residence.

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

If you move to a new address within Germany, you usually need to register your new address with the local registration authority (Meldebehörde). This is called a change of address registration (Ummeldung) or residence registration, depending on the city. The exact process, appointment rules, and fees vary by city, but the core requirement is the same: you register after you have moved in. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Who needs this

You need to register if you move into a new apartment in Germany. In Berlin, this applies when you move into your sole home or main home; in Hamburg, when you move within Hamburg; in Köln, when you move within Köln; in München, when you move to Munich or within the city; and in Stuttgart, when you move within Stuttgart. 1 2 3 4 5 6
If you have more than one home in Germany, the home you use most often is your main home (Hauptwohnung). 2 5
If you are moving with children, the city pages include special rules for minors, especially under 16 years old. 2 3 4 5 6

Step by step

Make sure you have already moved in. Berlin and München state that registration is only possible after the move, not for a future date. 2 5
Prepare the required documents, especially your identity document and the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). 2 3 4 5 6
Register online if the city offers this for your case. Berlin offers online registration for eligible adults; Hamburg and Stuttgart also offer an online service; Köln says online registration is possible; München says online registration is possible only for main residences. 2 3 4 5 6
If you register in person, go to the relevant office with your documents. Hamburg requires an appointment for in-person registration, Köln requires appointments on some weekdays, and Stuttgart lists 22 citizens' offices. 3 4 6
After registration, you receive a registration confirmation (Meldebestätigung). Berlin, Hamburg, Köln, München, and Stuttgart all mention this confirmation. 2 3 4 5 6

Documents

Valid identity document: personalausweis, passport, or other document as listed by the city. 2 3 4 5 6
Landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). A rental contract does not replace it in Berlin, Hamburg, Köln, München, or Stuttgart. 2 3 4 5 6
For family registrations, documents for the family members being registered. Berlin, Hamburg, Köln, München, and Stuttgart all mention this for family moves. 2 3 4 5 6
If you are registering someone else, a written power of attorney (Vollmacht) is required in several cities. 2 3 4 5 6
In Berlin, online registration requires a BundID account, an ID card or eID card with activated online ID function (eID), a PIN, and suitable technical equipment. 2
In Köln and München, foreign nationals may need additional residence documents if they are registering in person. 4 5

Cost and time

Berlin says the service is free of charge. 2
Hamburg charges 16.00 euros per person or family unit with the same move date; online use is free. A vehicle registration certificate change costs an additional 11.40 euros. 3
Köln says the change of address in the residence register and on the identity card is free of charge; changing vehicle papers costs 10.80 euros. 4
München and Stuttgart do not state a fee on the cited pages. 5 6
Hamburg says in-person processing usually takes 6 to 8 minutes. 3
Köln says the return message from the previous municipality for new identity documents is usually received within three working days. 4

Deadlines

Berlin, Hamburg, Köln, and München state a deadline of 14 days or two weeks after moving in. 2 3 4 5
In Berlin, you do not need to register if you are already registered in Germany and stay in Berlin for no more than six months, if you live abroad and stay in Berlin for no more than three months, or in certain service accommodation cases. 2
In München, if you are already registered in Germany and take a second home for no more than six months, you do not need to register; if you live abroad and are not registered in Germany, the obligation starts after three months. 5

City by city

Berlin: Online registration is available for eligible adults who are German or EU citizens, and in-person registration is possible at the Bürgeramt. Berlin also requires the landlord confirmation and lists several exceptions to registration. 2
Hamburg: In-person registration costs 16.00 euros, online registration is free, and the address on chip-based documents is updated during the process. 3
Köln: Registration can be done online or in a Kundenzentrum, and the city states that you cannot apply for identity documents at the same time as the residence registration. 4
München: Online registration is only for main residences. 5
Stuttgart: The city offers 22 Bürgerbüros, and some related changes, such as address updates on documents, can be handled together with the registration. 6