How to Do the Address Registration (Anmeldung) in Aachen
A Complete Guide to Doing the Anmeldung in Aachen
As a newcomer, you might have heard, or if you haven’t, you soon will, of the Address Registration (Anmeldung) process. What is it? Why is it necessary? What happens if you miss the 14-day deadline? How to do it?
In this guide, we provide details about everything related to the Anmeldung process in Aachen. This guide covers the following: (i) What Anmeldung is, (ii) Anmeldung Process Step by Step, (iii) What is the Difference Between Anmeldung, Ummeldung, and Abmeldung, and (iv) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Anmeldung Process.
What is Anmeldung?
It means official registration in English, and it's a legal requirement when moving into an apartment. It's basically a way of saying that you officially exist at the given address.
Anmeldung is the first and most important step you need to take when moving to Germany. When you successfully do the Anmeldung, you get a document called “Meldebestätigung”, or sometimes “Meldebescheinigung”, which translates to “registration confirmation” or “registration certificate”, respectively. Without this document, many other important processes cannot be started. Without it, you can't do any of the following:
- Open a bank account.
- Get a tax ID.
- Get health insurance.
- Enroll in a university.
- Apply for a residence permit.
- Get an internet/phone contract.
Anmeldung Process Step by Step
Step 1: Get an address
You can’t do Anmeldung without a real address in Germany. You’ll need a document called Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, a signed confirmation from your landlord (or main tenant) saying you live there. It should follow the official template required by the city of Aachen; it can be downloaded here.
- Note: The rental contract is not a valid document to do the Anmeldung process. You need the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung.
Step 2: Book an appointment
To register, you must book an appointment at a Bürgeramt (Citizen’s Office) or a Bezirksamt (District Office). In Aachen, there are 8 Bürgeramts and Bezirksamts across the different districts. You can book an appointment at any of these offices; it does not have to be the office of the district or neighborhood where your apartment is located. Nevertheless, it is always best to choose the one closest to you or the one that has the closest appointments. Use the following official platform to book an appointment in Aachen: Stadt Aachen Serviceportal.
- Note: if you don’t live in Stadt Aachen but in a city in the StädteRegion Aachen (e.g., Würselen, Stolberg, etc.), you need to refer to the official website of your city. You can do the Anmeldung in Stadt Aachen only if you live in Stadt Aachen.
Tips for Booking:
- Check early in the morning for new slots (mainly around 7:00 – 7:45); this is when cancellations often free up appointments.
- Appointments can be scarce, so try all the offices around Aachen (not just the city center).
Step 3: Prepare the required documents
The following documents are needed to do the Anmeldung:
- Passport (or ID card if you are from the EU),
- Wohnungsgeberbestätigung,
- Marriage certificate (if applicable),
- Birth Certificate (for minors).
Step 4: Attend the appointment
The appointment itself usually takes 5–10 minutes and is conducted in German. If you don’t speak German, bring a translator or ask if English-speaking staff are available. During the appointment, they enter your data into the system and hand you a Meldebestätigung (registration confirmation).
Congrats, you now officially exist!
Good to know: During the registration appointment, you will also be asked to state your religion. This is relevant if you declare yourself as Roman Catholic or Protestant, as this will result in church tax (Kirchensteuer) being collected automatically from your salary. No proof is required at the time of registration, but it’s important to be mindful of the tax implications when answering. You can also declare no religion.
What is the Difference Between Anmeldung, Ummeldung, and Abmeldung?
| Term | Definition | When to do it |
|---|---|---|
| Anmeldung | First-time registration at an address in Germany. | You just moved to Germany or into your first apartment. |
| Ummeldung | Changing your address within Germany. | You move to another address in the same city, or you move to another city. |
| Abmeldung | Deregistering your address. | You move abroad, even if you plan to return later, or you leave Germany permanently. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is it necessary for every family member to attend the Anmeldung appointment, or can one family member register everyone else?
Every person moving to the new address should be present at the appointment in order to be registered. If someone cannot be present and needs to be registered, a formal authorization form should be filled out. The form can be downloaded here.
Q2: How to register a child or a minor?
If you are registering a child who lived with both parents previously, both parents should be present at the appointment. If only one parent is present, written consent from the other parent is required. In addition, you need a birth certificate.
Q3: Can I register my address with a short-term rental agreement?
You can register even with a temporary place, as long as you have the landlord’s confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).
Q4: Can I do the Anmeldung online?
Online registration is possible, but only if you have a German eID (Personalausweis or electronic residence permit) with the online function activated. This won’t be the case if you just moved to Germany, but it can be helpful if you are doing Ummeldung, for example. EU citizens can apply to get a German eID at the same office when they do the Anmeldung. You can read more about online registration here.
Q5: Is there any specific deadline to do the Anmeldung after getting the address?
You are required to register within 14 days of moving into your new address in Germany. This deadline is based on the move-in date stated on your Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation), not your rental contract start date. Make sure this date is accurate.
Q6: What are the consequences if I cannot register my address on time?
In case you can’t get an appointment within 14 days, don’t panic. The offices in Aachen understand that appointments can be hard to find. Showing up even a few weeks late is usually fine, as long as you demonstrate that you tried to book an appointment promptly (Source). Technically, late registration can result in a fine of up to €1,000, but in reality, fines are rare for first-time offenders and usually much lower (e.g., €10–50) if applied at all.
However, there might be other deadlines to register your address related to your visa, so check carefully. If you do not register by the deadline, you lose your right of residency. For EU citizens, you are required by EU law to register your address within 90 days of moving to Germany; otherwise, you are subject to fines.
Q7: Will I get a Tax ID (Steuer-ID) during the Anmeldung appointment?
After the Anmeldung process, your tax ID (Steuer-ID) arrives by post in 1–3 weeks (no action needed). Your address is now active in the system for official mail (e.g., tax office, TV license fee).
Done! Now you’re all set to register in Aachen. Welcome to Germany, and good luck with your new adventure!