Abmeldung Berlin: How to deregister your address

Berlin, with its population of 3.645 million (12/31/2023), is the largest city in Germany. In 2023, a total of 155.0206 people moved away from Berlin (Berlin-Brandenburg statistics). When deregistering from Berlin, one of the most important things to consider is to notify the authorities within 7 days before and 14 days after your move.

👉 Did you know? You can now deregister from Germany online and in English. Take a look at our services and download our free checklist! You no longer need to wait for an appointment at one of Berlin’s Citizens’ Registration Offices; you can complete your unregistering process from home. 🌍 This option is available even if you are already abroad or have missed the deadline to deregister.

Abmeldung Berlin: Is it mandatory to deregister an apartment?

When you deregister your residence, you officially deregister the address at which you are registered in Berlin. This process is required by law (§ 17 BMG) when you move out of an apartment – regardless of whether it is a rented or owner-occupied apartment. Deregistering an apartment in Berlin is necessary so that authorities such as the tax office and the residents’ registration office can update your data, for example for tax purposes or voting rights.

You are obliged to deregister at the relevant residents’ registration office or citizens’ registration office. As a rule, this is the citizens’ registration office where you registered your place of residence. If you forget to deregister in Berlin, you can expect a fine of up to 1,000 euros according to the catalog of fines. The deregistration deadline in Berlin is 7 days before and 14 days after the move.

If you have not deregistered in Berlin in time, you are welcome to use our service for deregistering your place of residence. We have already successfully completed many late deregistrations without a fine.

Abmeldung: Who is required to do it?

In Berlin, everyone who moves out of the city and has their residence registered there must deregister from the city. This applies to German citizens as well as foreign nationals. However, people who move within Germany and have other residences do not need to deregister from Berlin. In this situation, you only need to register your new address.

Are there any consequences or penalties for not deregistering?

If you are leaving Germany, you are required to report your departure to your local registration office or citizen’s office. By the way, your relevant citizen’s office is the one where you registered your residence. If you forget to deregister or update your residence, you may be subject to a penalty of up to €1000 (2). The official timeframe for the Abmeldung in Berlin is 7 days before to 14 days after your move.

If you have indeed forgotten to deregister your residence within the legally prescribed period, you are welcome to use our service. So far, we have successfully handled many late deregistrations without incurring any penalties.

Why is it necessary to deregister from Germany?

Deregistering provides you with a deregistration certificate, which officially proves that you are no longer registered in Germany. Such proof is relevant for several instances.

It is also important to terminate various contracts, especially health insurance and GEZ (radio and television) fees. The deregistration confirmation proves that you are no longer obligated to pay GEZ fees or have health insurance in Germany. So without this document, it isn’t possible to terminate these two contracts.

However, you will also benefit from the deregistration certificate in terms of termination of other ongoing contracts like gym memberships, internet/mobile phone plans, and gas and electricity contracts. If you don’t cancel or fail to do so, you will continue to be billed for these services. By presenting your deregistration certificate along with your termination letter, you can exercise your special termination right. This can significantly shorten the notice period.

The deregistration certificate plays a significant role when renewing your German passport while living abroad. To renew your passport, you must demonstrate that you’re no longer a resident of Germany. The deregistration certificate serves as evidence and is often required during passport renewal.

Furthermore, the deregistration certificate can serve as proof that you have abandoned your residence in Germany if you wish to apply for a new visa or citizenship in another country OR if you want to receive your German pension abroad. Without this confirmation, it can be challenging to demonstrate that you have left Germany, which may delay or complicate your application process.

Lastly, you’ll need the deregistration confirmation to receive a refund of your pension contributions paid in Germany. Check now to see if you’re eligible for a pension refund.

How much does the Abmeldung from Berlin cost?

The Abmeldung in Berlin is free of charge if you decide to do it yourself. However, if you prefer a more convenient and hassle-free option, you can hire an expert agency to assist you. At Deregistration.de, we specialize in residence deregistration in Germany. We have been in business for over eight years and have successfully deregistered over 30,000 people from all over Germany. 

With us, you can complete the process online without visiting the registry office in Berlin in person, and our service is available in English. We can also help if you have already moved abroad or have missed the deadline for deregistration.

“Getting an appointment to deregister your residence in Berlin (especially Berlin-Mitte) is a matter of luck. Free appointments are only available in 8+ weeks, if at all.”

– Oliver Frankfurth

What documents and information are needed for the deregistration?

To complete the deregistration process (Abmeldung) in Berlin, you will need to gather the following documents and information:

• Valid identification: Make sure to bring your current and valid passport or national ID card to prove your identity during the deregistration process.
• Completed deregistration form: Obtain the official “Abmeldeformular” (deregistration form), which can be acquired from the Bürgeramt (citizen’s office) or downloaded from their website. It is crucial to fill out this form accurately, providing your full name, current address, new address (if applicable), and the date of your move.
• Proof of residence termination: In some cases, you may be asked about a document that verifies the termination of your residence in Berlin. This may include a rental termination notice, a sales contract for a property, or a confirmation letter from your landlord.
• Additional supporting documents: Depending on your specific circumstances, additional documents may be required. For instance, if you are deregistering dependents such as children, you might need to submit their birth certificates or passports. In cases where you are carrying out the deregistration on behalf of someone else, a power of attorney document might be necessary.
• Appointment confirmation: If you opt to visit the Bürgeramt in person, don’t forget to bring the confirmation of your appointment. This confirmation is typically provided after scheduling your visit online.

How to complete the Abmeldung in Berlin?

Deregistering your residence in Berlin can be done in several ways. The process should be initiated one week before moving out and must be completed within two weeks after moving out. After the deregistration, you will receive an “Abmeldebescheinigung,” a document confirming your address has been deregistered.

Deregister in Person

To deregister your residence in person, you will need to go to your responsible Bürgeramt in Berlin (the Bürgeramt where you registered your address). You will need to bring your valid identification (such as your passport or ID card) and your Visa if you have one. At the registration office, you must fill out a deregistration form and submit the required documents. Once the deregistration is processed, you will receive a confirmation document that shows you have successfully deregistered your residence.

The deregistration process in person at the Bürgeramt usually takes around 5-10 minutes, depending on the number of people waiting in line. However, it’s important to keep in mind that during peak periods, such as the end of the month or the end of the year, waiting times may be longer. It’s always a good idea to check the opening hours of the citizen’s office and arrive early or schedule an appointment in advance to avoid long waiting times. However, if you want to book an appointment at the citizen’s office in Berlin, you should expect a waiting time of about eight weeks.

You can schedule an appointment for an in-person deregistration here.

Deregister via Mail

To deregister your Berlin address via mail, you can send a written request to the relevant registration office, providing your personal information (full name, date of birth, and address), your intended date of departure, and a declaration of your intention to deregister. You will also need to provide a copy of your valid identification document (e.g., passport, ID card) and the completed deregistration form. Please download the official deregistration form from the website of the competent authority.

It is recommended to send the request via registered mail to ensure it arrives at the registration office.

After the registration office receives your request, they will process it and send you a confirmation of your deregistration. The processing time can vary, but it typically takes a few weeks.

Attention: Some registry offices only send the deregistration confirmation by post and/or only within Germany. This means that you may need a German address to receive your deregistration confirmation. 

Deregister via Email

Although it is possible in some citizens’ offices to deregister from Berlin through email, please be aware you might not receive a physical confirmation or that it may not be sent to your new address abroad. Moreover, different Bürgeramt offices have varying policies concerning Abmeldung by email that regulate whether it is possible at all and if they send the Abmeldebescheinigung by post or email and the specific addresses they’ll send the document to.

Send an email to your Bürgeramt office where you were previously registered, including the completed and signed Abmeldung form, a copy of your passport, and your visa (if applicable).

It’s important to remember that not all Bürgeramt locations provide this option.

How to complete the “Abmeldung” online

When you emigrate, you have a lot on your plate, and it’s a demanding and stressful time that requires a lot of bureaucratic effort. We understand that it can often be difficult to get an appointment at the Berlin citizen’s offices, or that you would prefer to use your valuable time for other important matters.

Over the past 9 years, we have specialized in assisting people with emigration and, especially, with the bureaucratic hurdles before emigrating. A significant part of that is deregistering your address, as well as canceling contracts, terminating the broadcasting fee, deregistering child benefits, your vehicle, or your business. With us, all of this is done digitally and without much hassle.

Our expert team will guide you through the entire process of deregistering your residence. After booking our Personal Assistant or Premium package, you don’t have to do anything else because we will take care of your deregistration.

We will send your documents to the appropriate citizen’s office, stay in contact with them, and eventually receive your deregistration certificate at our German address. We will then provide it to you digitally or, if needed, send it to your new address abroad.

By the way, we keep your deregistration certificate in our archive for 2 years so that we can resend it to you, if needed.

For those who prefer to handle everything themselves, we also offer a Self-Service package. In this case, we provide you with the completed form and the necessary addresses, and you can send your documents to the local authority yourself. We are still available to answer your questions and guide you step by step on how to deregister.

We are also here to help if you forgot to deregister your Berlin address. Whether you are emigrating or simply moving to a new address, we will assist you in completing your deregistration on time.

At deregistration.de, we are committed to making the deregistration process as smooth and stress-free as possible for our clients. We are always available to answer your questions via LiveChat or email ([email protected]), so don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance.

What if I lost my deregistration certificate?

If you have already left Germany and lost your deregistration certificate, it can lead to problems when you need to prove that you no longer have a residence in Germany. This may be necessary when renewing your ID card, losing your passport, or simply applying for a new ID card or passport abroad.

The solution: Apply for an extract from the registration register at the citizen’s office where you were registered.

This extract contains information about when you registered in Germany and when you deregistered. It serves as a substitute for your lost deregistration certificate, should you misplace it.

We are happy to apply for an extract from the registration register on your behalf!

We will request an original copy from the relevant authority in your name. All we need from you is a photo or scan of your ID card or passport. We will take care of the rest for you. Simply apply for your copy of the deregistration certificate easily and online with us.

What are the consequences of deregistering from Germany?

It is important to know that deregistration affects your health insurance, your social security, your bank account and your residence permit.

Health insurance: As soon as you deregister, you are no longer obliged to have insurance in Germany. Find out in good time about alternatives, such as international health insurance. To cancel your German health insurance and be exempted from compulsory contributions, you must present your deregistration certificate to the health insurance company.

However, if you have private health insurance, you may be able to apply for qualifying insurance, which allows you to pay a monthly contribution during your stay abroad and be re-admitted to your old health insurance after your return. However, this is not possible if you plan to live abroad permanently.

Social security: Please note that deregistration can also result in you losing your entitlement to unemployment benefit – ALG I, ALG II and other social benefits, as these are only available to people resident in Germany.

If you still have tax obligations in Germany, you must clarify the regulations for your individual case. For example, parents with unlimited tax liability who have emigrated will still receive child benefit if the children are resident in Germany or within the EU.

Bank account: You can keep your German bank account, but if the bank sends you a letter and it cannot be delivered, it can block your account. This means that you will not be able to withdraw money, use your credit card or make transfers. It’s best to inform your bank before you move or set up mail forwarding to avoid this. There can also be advantages to keeping a bank account in Germany. For example, to hold euro reserves or to have your German pension transferred to this account without conversion costs.

Residence permit: How deregistration affects the residence permit depends on the personal circumstances. As a rule, deregistration does not automatically lead to the loss of your residence permit. In most cases, the residence permit only expires 6 months after you have left Germany and deregistered your place of residence. However, the residence permit can be extended upon application.

Unfortunately, this does not apply if you are attending a school or university abroad. In this case, your residence permit expires immediately when you leave Germany.

Motor vehicles (KFZ): If you have a car registered in Germany but do not live in Germany, you may have to deregister your car or transfer it to another person.

Pension contributions: If you have made pension contributions in Germany, you may be eligible for a refund two years after deregistering from Germany. However, this depends on the specific circumstances and the agreements between Germany and your new country of residence.

Other: If you deregister, you can also terminate your cell phone contract, your Internet contract and your electricity contract with a special right of termination. To do this, you usually have to present your deregistration certificate in order to exercise your special right of termination.

We hope that we have been able to help you with this article and that you now know what to do if you want to deregister from Berlin. If you need help or would like to make use of our service, you can contact us at any time. We will be happy to help you!

Main addresses for Bürgeramt locations in Berlin:

Bezirksamt Charlottenburg/Wilmersdorf

Bürgeramt Halemweg (Außenstelle)
Halemweg 18 13627 Berlin
Tel.: (030) 9029-25222
Fax: (030) 9029-2522
Fax: 0221 / 221-96343

Bezirksamt Friedrichshain – Kreuzberg

Bürgeramt 1 (Kreuzberg),
Yorckstraße 4-11 10965 Berlin
Tel.: (030) 115
Fax: (030) 90298 – 3165

Bezirksamt Lichtenberg

Bürgeramt 1 (Neu- Hohenschönhausen) Egon-Erwin-Kisch-Straße
Egon-Erwin-Kisch-Straße 106 13059 Berlin
Tel.: (030) 115
Fax: (030) 90296-777819

Bezirksamt Marzahn – Hellersdorf

Bürgeramt Biesdorf – Center
Elsterwerdaer Platz 3 12683 Berlin
Postanschrift
Bürgeramt
12591 Berlin
Tel.: (030) 115
Fax: (030) 90293-5515

Bezirksamt Mitte

Bürgeramt Rathaus Mitte
Karl-Marx-Allee 31 10178 Berlin
Tel.: (030) 115
Fax: (030)9018 23060

Bezirksamt Reinickendorf

Bürgeramt Rathaus Reinickendorf
Eichborndamm 215 13437 Berlin
Tel.: (030) 115
Fax: (030) 90294-2994

Bezirksamt Pankow

Bürgeramt Pankow
Breite Str. 24A – 26 13187 Berlin
Tel.: (030) 115
Fax: (030) 90295-2576

Bezirksamt Spandau

Bürgeramt Spandau – Bürgeramt Rathaus Spandau
Carl-Schurz-Str. 2/6 13597 Berlin
Tel.: 115
Fax: (030) 90279-2828

Bezirksamt Steglitz – Zehlendorf

Bürgeramt Steglitz
Schloßstraße 37 12163 Berlin
Tel.: (030) 115
Fax: (030) 90299-3370

Bezirksamt Tempelhof – Schöneberg

Bürgeramt Schöneberg
John-F.-Kennedy-Platz – 10825 Berlin
Tel.: 115
Fax: (030) 90277-7021

Bezirksamt Treptow – Könighof

Bürgeramt I in Köpenick
Alt-Köpenick 21 12555 Berlin
Tel.: 115
Fax: (030) 90297-2845

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1. https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/532626/umfrage/fortzuege-aus-berlin-nach-zielgebieten/
2. https://www.bussgeldkatalog.org/zu-spaet-umgemeldet/