Registration and Changing of Residence
You have to register your residence within two weeks after you moved in. For registering or changing your residence please submit the following documents:
- official photo identification (identification card or passport) for every certifying person
- birth certificate, marriage license, divorce degree where applicable
- completed and signed registration form
- confirmation from the landlord “Wohnungsgeberbestätigung” (new)
- administration fee: 12 Euro
Deregistration of Residence (Abmeldung)
Deregistration is only necessary when
- you move abroad
- you move out from your secondary residence (Zweitwohnung).
If you move within Germany, please contact your local registration office at the new place of residence. It’s not necessary to deregister in Hamburg.
To deregister your residence in Hamburg, please visit a customer service center of your choice. The deregistration is free of charge and without prior appointment booking. You will receive a confirmation of deregistration. As a customer of the Hamburg Welcome Center, you can send the deregistration by email to professionals@welcome.hamburg.de or hand it in personally.
For deregistering your residence, please submit the following documents:
- official photo identification (identification card or passport) for every certifying person
- copy of your official photo identification, if you send the deregistration by e-mail
- completed and signed deregistration form
Please note that the date of your moving out is decisive for the deregistration. You can submit the deregistration form seven days before finally leaving your apartment and the deregistration will be effective as of the date of moving out.
Forms for registering changing or deregistering residence
Address registration - checklist
Address registration form
Address registration form - guide in English
Address Registration: How to book an appointment online - guide in English
Confirmation from the landlord (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
Deregistering residence
Deregistering residence - guide in English
Registration with multiple residences
Authorization
Residence and Settlement Permit
In order to be allowed an extended residence in Germany, Non-EU citizens have to apply for a residence permit immediately upon immigrating to Germany. In general, the following documents will periodically be needed for the issue of a residence permit:
- passport
- biometric photograph
- proof of adequate health insurance:
Foreign nationals without statutory health insurance must prove adequate private health insurance coverage.
residence of more than twelve months: Annex 1
residence up to twelve months: Annex 2
residence up to 180 days: Annex 3
completed and signed application form (see below)
Administration fees:
- initial issue of the residence permit: 36 ─ 147 Euro
- extension of the residence permit: 26 ─ 98 Euro
- Minor children, family members of EU citizens and Swiss nationals are subject to reduced rates
Depending on the purpose of your residence (work, studies, language course, etc.) further documents are required.
Checklists
Checklist Adjustment Qualification
Checklist Apprenticeship
Checklist Studies
Checklist EU Blue Card
Checklist Family Reunification
Checklist Job Seeking
Checklist Employment
Checklist Freelance
Checklist Self-Employment
Checklist ICT Card
Checklist training or study place search
Checklist language course / school
Checklist Work and Travel
Checklist Settlement Permit
Checklist Settlement Permit for Employees
Checklist Settlement Permit for Self-Employed
Checklist Permanent EC Residence
Application forms - Residence Permit
German-Arabic
German-Chinese
German-English-French
German-Farsi
German-Japanese
German-Croatian-Russian
German-Portuguese-Spanish
German-Serbian
German-Turkish
Additional forms:
Workplace and job description
Additional Form A for Workplace and job description (recognition process)
Additional Form B for Workplace and job description (Secondment, ICT or staff exchange)
Additional Form C for Workplace and job description (professional drivers)
Additional Form D for Workplace and job description (Short-term employment, subject to quotas)
Confirmation of employment
Declaration of marriage (in German)
Declaration of marriage (in English)
Declaration of gross and net earnings (template for tax consultants or auditors)
Audit report (template for tax consultants or auditors)
Authorization
Authorization for the collection of an electronic residence permit
Hosting Agreement Research (Aufnahmevereinbarung)
Transferring a residence title into a new passport
The following documents are required for the assignment of an electronic residence permit in a new passport or in a new replacement passport:
- new passport
- old (invalid) passport
- current biometric photo
- administration fee: 12 or 67 EUR
- completed and signed application form (see below).
Application forms - Transferring (Übertragung)
German-Arabic
German-Chinese
German-English-French
German-Farsi
German-Japanese
German-Croatian-Russian
German-Portuguese-Spanish
German-Serbian
German-Turkish
Additional forms:
Ongoing visa procedure
Forms for family reunion (in the ongoing visa procedure):
Declaration of gross and net earnings (template for tax consultants or auditors)
Audit report (template for tax consultants or auditors)
Confirmation of employment
