Deregistering from Berlin can be challenging for expats or anyone leaving the city. It requires informing various authorities and completing paperwork, which can be time-consuming and confusing, particularly if you don’t speak German fluently.
One essential thing to keep in mind when deregistering is to do it promptly. In Berlin, residents must deregister within seven days before and 14 days after moving out.
👉 Did you know? You can now deregister from Germany online and in English. Check out 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.
What exactly is residence deregistration?
Residence deregistration, also known as “Abmeldung” in German, refers to the official process of canceling your registered status as a resident at a specific address in Germany.
This procedure is legally required when you move out of a residence, whether it’s a rented apartment or owned property. Deregistration ensures that various government agencies can update their records for purposes like taxation and voting.
Who must deregister from Berlin?
The “Abmeldung” is mandatory for anyone moving out of a residence in Germany, including both German citizens and expats.
You must deregister your address in Berlin if:
- You are leaving Germany and will no longer have an address there.
- You are vacating one residence without moving to a new address. For example, if you own two properties and decide to sell one while continuing to live in the other, you must deregister the apartment you have sold.
You do not need to deregister your address in Berlin if:
- You’re temporarily relocating outside of Germany but plan to return to the same address, such as studying abroad for a semester. In this case, deregistering your residence isn’t necessary.
- You’re moving to a new address in Germany. In this situation, you only need to register your new address, and your old address will be deregistered automatically.
Why is it necessary to deregister from Berlin?
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 needed to terminate various contracts, including health insurance, GEZ (radio and television) fees, and 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.
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, if you plan to apply for a new visa or citizenship in another country, the deregistration certificate can prove that you’ve ended your residence in Germany. This certificate makes verifying that you’ve left Germany easier and avoids potentially delaying or complicating your application.
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 to complete the “Abmeldung” in Berlin, online
At deregistration.de, we recognize that navigating the bureaucratic process of deregistering your residence in Berlin can be challenging. Our mission is to make this process as easy and stress-free as possible for our clients. Our service can be completed online and is available in English, making it accessible to almost everyone.
Our expert team guides you through the process, from completing the registration form to submitting it to your local Berlin registration office. We handle all the details and ensure that all necessary documents, such as a scan of your ID card or passport and a power of attorney, are included.
We also offer a self-service package for those who prefer a more hands-on approach. With this option, we provide you with the filled-out form and the correct addresses, and you can submit your documents to the local authority yourself. We will still be available to answer your questions and provide a step-by-step guide 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.
How much does 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 deregistering you from Germany. We have been in business for over eight years and have successfully deregistered around 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.
How to complete the Abmeldung in Berlin?
Deregistering your residence in Berlin can be done in several ways. The process should be initiated seven days before moving out and must be completed within 14 days after moving out. After the deregistration, you will receive an “Abmeldebescheinigung,” a document confirming your address has been deregistered.
Deregister in Person
One option for deregistering in Berlin is to visit a Bürgeramt (citizen’s registration office) in person, after making an appointment.
This traditional method allows you to receive the deregistration certificate (Abmeldebestätigung) immediately and at no cost. However, keep in mind that securing a Bürgeramt appointment can be challenging and might necessitate some advance planning.
- Book an appointment for “Abmeldung einer Wohnung” at your responsible Bürgeramt in Berlin (the Bürgeramt where you registered your address).
- Fill out the “Abmeldung” form.
- Attend the appointment with the completed form. The process typically takes around 10 minutes.
- During the appointment, you will receive an “Abmeldebescheinigung.”
- Remember to bring your ID and visa if you have one.
Deregister via Mail
Pease include the following documents in your letter to the citizen’s office and make sure you use the correct address to avoid delays in processing.
- Complete and sign the “Abmeldung” form.
- Include a copy of your passport.
- Expect to receive the “Abmeldebescheinigung” at your new address around four weeks later.
If you’re moving to rural mountains in Peru or the Brazilian rainforest, receiving mail may not be easy. Consider offering an alternative address for receiving your document.
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 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 email deregistration, such as whether they’ll 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.
Let an Expert Handle Your Deregistration
At deregistration.de, we specialize in making deregistration from Berlin available online. You enter all the required deregistration information in English, and we transfer it into the official German deregistration form. We then send your documents to your local Berlin registration office, a scan of your ID card or passport, and a power of attorney.
We offer a self-service package where we provide you with the completed form and the correct addresses, enabling you to send your documents to your local authority. We’re available for your questions and offer a step-by-step guide on how to deregister.
Of course, we are always available via LiveChat or email ([email protected]) if you have any questions about emigrating and leaving Germany.
If you still need to deregister your address in Berlin, we can help you with that too! Our team of experts will guide you through the process and ensure you can successfully deregister, even if you have missed the deadline or moved abroad. We aim to make the deregistration process as smooth and stress-free as possible for our clients.
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
What are the consequences of deregistering?
It’s essential to be aware that deregistering from your residence in Germany will have various consequences that may affect your health insurance, social security, bank account, and residence permit.
Health insurance: Once you deregister, you will lose your German health insurance, as it is only for German residents. However, if you have private health insurance, you may be eligible to apply for ‘Anwartschaftsversicherung,’ which allows you to pay a monthly fee while you are abroad and then regain your old health insurance when you return.
Social security: Deregistration may result in losing access to ALG I, ALG II, and other social benefits, as these are only available to German residents.
Bank account: You can often keep your German bank account, but if the bank sends you a letter that can’t be delivered, they may freeze your account. This means you cannot withdraw money, use your credit card, or make bank transfers. Please speak with your bank before leaving the country.
Residence permit: The effect of deregistering on your residence permit will depend on your individual circumstances. In general, deregistering will not automatically result in losing your residence permit. However, if you leave Germany for an extended period, it may affect your residence permit status. It’s essential to check with the relevant authorities to ensure you understand the specific consequences of your situation.
Vehicles: If you own a car registered in Germany, you must update your registration information when you move. If you’re leaving Germany permanently, you may need to deregister your car or transfer ownership to someone else. This will involve visiting a vehicle registration office (Kfz-Zulassungsstelle) to complete the necessary paperwork. You should also inform your car insurance company about the change in your circumstances.
Other services: Deregistration allows you to cancel your mobile phone, internet, and electricity contracts without penalty. To do this, you must provide your deregistration certificate as proof that you are no longer a resident of Germany. Make sure to contact your service providers and discuss the necessary steps to cancel or transfer your contracts.
Other consequences of deregistering include the following:
- Voting rights: Once you have deregistered, you will no longer be eligible to vote in German elections.
- GEZ (radio and television) fees: After deregistering, you will no longer be required to pay GEZ fees, but you need to notify the GEZ of your deregistration.
- Pension contributions: If you have made pension contributions in Germany, you may be eligible for a refund two years after deregistering. However, this depends on the specific circumstances and the agreements between Germany and your new country of residence.
Please be aware of these potential consequences when deregistering and take the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition. Sometimes, you may need to cancel contracts or subscriptions, inform relevant authorities, or make arrangements to maintain certain benefits abroad.
If you need clarification on any aspect of the deregistration process, seeking professional advice or using a specialized service like deregistration.de can help you navigate the process and avoid potential pitfalls.
Being aware of these implications before deregistering is essential. If you need assistance with the process, consider using an expert agency like deregistration.de. Our expertise can help guide you through the deregistration process and ensure you have considered all potential consequences and necessary actions related to your move.
