Abmeldung: Deregister from Germany step by step

If you are planning to leave Germany to start a new life in another country, you need to plan this step well and complete not only your deregistration (Abmeldung), but also many other bureaucratic formalities. 

However, if you don’t deregister your address, radio license or internet contract properly, you risk unnecessary consequences, such as fines, which can be easily avoided. In this blog post, we have compiled many insider tips and tricks that we have learned from our own experience over the past few years.

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Deregister your address online, in English and without an appointment at your local registration office. For over 10 years, we have been in contact with numerous citizens’ offices throughout Germany to help our customers.

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Who needs to deregister?

In short: If you move out of your apartment, shared flat, or house without moving within Germany, you must deregister at your local registration office.

If you move abroad, give up your main or secondary residence without moving to a new one, or no longer have a permanent place of residence, you are legally required to deregister with the local citizens’ office. The German law governing deregistration is the Bundesmeldegesetz (BMG).  §17 section. 2 BMG describes the following (translated):

“Anyone who moves out of an apartment and does not move into a new apartment in Germany must deregister with the registration authority within two weeks of moving out. Deregistration is possible at the earliest one week before moving out […].”

Deregistration from Germany should therefore be well planned, as anyone who misses the deregistration deadline risks a fine of €1000. Although this has not happened often, it is considered an administrative offense and is listed on the Bavarian portal and in the German catalog of fines.

If you move within Germany, simply register in your new municipality or city. The offices are networked, and you will be automatically deregistered at your old place of residence.”

– Oliver Frankfurth

Why do I need to deregister when I leave Germany?

In short: You must deregister your secondary and primary residence when you leave Germany to avoid unnecessary bureaucratic consequences.

Deregistering from Germany is necessary to ensure that your registration information is up-to-date and to avoid unnecessary bureaucratic problems. You will also need the deregistration certificate, which you will receive as proof of deregistration, in order to exercise a special right of termination for various contracts, such as internet and telephone. 

Without this certificate, you can neither cancel your health insurance nor deregister from the broadcasting license fee (GEZ). The deregistration certificate is also essential for renewing your German passport or identity card outside of Germany.

Take your time to complete all the necessary formalities so that you can enjoy your new life without any old burdens.

When do I have to deregister from Germany?

In short: According to the Federal Registration Act (Bundesmeldegesetz), you must deregister from Germany no earlier than 7 days before your move and no later than 14 days after you leave Germany.

As mentioned above, the Bundesmeldegesetz is very strict when it comes to deregistration deadlines. If you forget to deregister and the 14 days after your official move-out date have passed, you may be fined.

But don’t worry, although we have handled thousands of deregistrations for our clients, we know of only one case where a fine was actually imposed. Nevertheless, we advise you to act responsibly in your own interest. A fine can be up to 1000 Euros. So please do not just leave Germany, but proceed with caution.

Attention!

How to deregister in Germany (Abmeldung)?

In short: There are several options. The classic way is to simply go to your local citizens’ registration office and deregister in person. You can also deregister online without an appointment using Deregistration.de or send the necessary documents to your registration office by mail.

To deregister from Germany, you can simply go to your local citizens’ office. You will be given the form for deregistration there at an appointment.

Many citizens’ offices offer the form (PDF) for deregistering your address as a download on their website. You can download and fill it out in advance and either take it with you to your appointment or send all the necessary documents to your office by post (see “What documents do I need to deregister?”).

You can also fill out the form for your family. One form is sufficient for up to five people living together in one household. However, all persons of legal age must sign the deregistration form themselves. Children may have to submit a birth certificate.

“It is important that your signature matches the signature in your passport. In Germany, signatures must be identical to the identity document in order to be accepted.”

–Oliver Frankfurth

If the signature has changed over time, take the opportunity to adjust it. If you come to an appointment in person, this is not a problem. But if you send your documents by post or use Deregistration.de, your signature is the only way to verify your identity.

How can I deregister from Germany without a new place of residence?

In short: Yes, you can deregister even without a new place of residence.

In our experience, it is possible to deregister without providing a new place of residence. We are often asked this question by digital nomads and globetrotters .

If you don’t yet have a new address abroad or don’t want the German authorities to know your exact address for data protection reasons , you can simply enter the country you will be traveling to first after deregistering.In the deregistration form on the right-hand side, under “künftige Wohnung”, you can enter the country you will be entering first under “Postleitzahl, Gemeinde/Kreis/Land”.

Submit documents in person or by post?

You can either hand in the deregistration documents in person at the citizens’ office in your town or municipality, or send them by post:

• Please note that the postal service can take longer to process.
• You will receive your deregistration confirmation immediately and free of charge at the citizens’ office.
• You will also receive your deregistration confirmation by post free of charge.
• Please note, however, that some offices will only send the deregistration confirmation to your last registration address. If you no longer live there, this obviously makes no sense.
• It is best to find out beforehand. It is also usually NOT possible to send the confirmation abroad by post.
• Shipping by the authorities is also not insured and cannot be tracked. It is therefore essential to find out in good time about the quality of postal delivery in your destination country.

If you would still like to deregister from your home country without an appointment or have already left Germany, you can use our online deregistration service. We will send you your deregistration certificate with shipment tracking to your new address abroad.

Which Citizens’ Office is responsible for me?

If you are not sure which citizens’ office is responsible for you, you can take a look at your registration confirmation or search the Internet for “Abmeldung + your place + Einwohnermeldeamt (+ district)“. Sometimes you will also find what you are looking for under “Bürgeramt”. You can also call the town hall and ask to be transferred or find out where you need to go.

Do you need more information on how to deregister your residence in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg or Düsseldorf? We have written a separate blog article for each of these four cities that describes the deregistration process in detail:

• Abmeldung Berlin: How to deregister your address
• Deregistration Munich: Your key to a smooth move!
• Deregistration Hamburg: All you need to know
• Deregistration Düsseldorf: Deregister your Residence online!

Can I also do the Abmeldung online?

In short: Yes, you can deregister your residence online!

You will find inconsistent answers to this question on the Internet. Some official websites and websites of citizens’ offices say that it is possible to do the Abmeldung online, others say that deregistration can only be done in person at an appointment.

The confusion stems from the fact that some citizens’ offices now offer the option of online deregistration (Abmeldung), while others do not. While Berlin and Bremen , for example, do not offer an online service, you can deregister online in Stuttgart and Leipzig.

However, the offices’ online procedures are often complicated and you either need the online ID function and the corresponding application “AusweisApp2” or you have to register on the office’s website. The procedure is different for all offices that offer this online service.To find out whether this option is available to you, it is advisable to visit the official website of your municipality or city. There you will find information on whether online deregistration is possible and how to complete the process.

Deregister your residence online with Deregistration.de: possible worldwide

If you want to deregister from Germany, Deregistration.de offers you a convenient and simple solution that works completely online. We specialize in the digitalization and translation of residence deregistrations and can help you with the entire process without you having to visit a citizens’ office in person or speak German.

Our service is available to both German and English-speaking customers and we are in close contact with many citizens’ offices throughout Germany.With our service, you no longer have to worry about deregistering your residence in Germany. We take the work off your hands and make sure everything runs smoothly. Simply visit our website and choose the package that best suits your needs.

Our 3 deregistration packages

We offer various packages, including the Self Service package, which provides you with all the information and documentation you need to deregister yourself.However, if you need help, we also offer a Personal Assistant and a Premium package, both of which are fully digital. With the Premium package, you’ll even receive three termination letters for all providers included and we’ll send you your original deregistration certificate to the address abroad of your choice. We take care of everything to do with your deregistration and ensure that you are deregistered quickly and smoothly.

^{We receive dozens of deregistration certificates every day.}

Your advantages:

• Convenient deregistration: no need to visit the authorities. We take care of the paperwork for you while you prepare your relocation.
• Everything in English: We have not only digitized the process, but also translated all steps into English. Our support team will also help you with all matters in English.
• No waiting time for appointments: Especially in large cities such as Munich and Berlin. Your deregistration confirmation will arrive safely in your email inbox.
• Help for digital nomads: No fixed address? We’ll send you the deregistration confirmation anywhere with tracking.
• Save time*: We take care of the paperwork so you can concentrate on the essentials.
• Subsequent support: You are no longer in Germany or have forgotten to deregister your place of residence? We’ll help you get everything in order.

*The processing time varies throughout Germany. As a rule, we receive the deregistration certificate within one to two weeks. In some large cities, such as Munich or Berlin, it can take up to eight weeks.

“You’re a digital nomad, a free spirit who travels the world? Without a fixed residence? No problem for us! Your deregistration confirmation will be sent directly to your e-mail inbox, no matter where you are in the world.”

–Oliver Frankfurth

Do you need help with other bureaucratic hurdles? We offer many other services to make your relocation or relocation easier:

What documents do I need to deregister from Germany?

In short: To deregister, you usually need a completed deregistration form and a valid passport or identity card.

If you visit in person, you must bring your passport (make sure it is valid), your residence permit if you are from a non-EU country, and the completed deregistration form with all the necessary information.

You should receive your deregistration confirmation immediately and free of charge.

If you are deregistering your family members, you must present their passports or ID cards. Your spouse must provide a power of attorney stating that you are authorized to act on his or her behalf.

The power of attorney must contain information about the authorized representative (e.g. surname, first name, address, date of birth of your spouse), information about the scope of the power of attorney (general power of attorney or individual power of attorney / what you are allowed to do for your spouse), information about the validity (until revoked or time-limited) and the signature of your spouse with place and date. It can also be handwritten. But it must be written in German.

How long does it take until I receive my deregistration confirmation from the authority?

In short: The processing times for deregistering your address in Germany vary depending on the federal state and authority. If you have made an appointment and come to the registration office to deregister, you will receive your deregistration certificate directly on site. Deregistration by post and via Deregistration.de usually takes between a few days and several weeks.

The time it takes to receive the deregistration confirmation varies and depends on various factors:

• The processing times of citizens’ offices in Germany can vary greatly, as they have different working methods and service instructions.
• Sick days and vacation days of the employees in the citizens’ offices also play a role.
• Some offices work exclusively with appointments, others are open on certain days for spontaneous visitors.

In large cities such as Berlin and Munich, the high demand can lead to longer waiting times, as appointments are often booked up well in advance.

Average processing time at Deregistration.de

From our 10 years of experience, we can say that the average processing time after receipt of the deregistration documents is 1 to 3 weeks . This waiting time may be shorter or longer for the reasons mentioned above. We have already received responses within a few days.

As a rule, we contact the office after approx. 4 weeks if a deregistration certificate has not yet been received. We make every effort to keep the waiting time as short as possible for our customers, and therefore stay on the ball and contact the Citizens’ Office until we have finally received the deregistration certificate.

“We process our customers’ applications within a maximum of two working days. Unfortunately, we have no direct influence on the processing times of the citizens’ offices. We make sure that the documents are filled out completely and correctly, which can speed up processing.”

–Oliver Frankfurth

On request, we will send you your deregistration certificate by post and always as a scan by e-mail. This scan is sufficient in 99% of cases. This saves us the time of sending it by international post.

We have also experienced that deregistration times can be longer, especially at the end or beginning of the year. This is because employees have to use up their statutory leave by the end of the year, which affects the capacity of the offices and can lengthen processing times.

Exceptions and special cases

Particular caution is required when foreign citizens have to deregister at the Foreigners’ Registration Office rather than at the Residents’ Registration Office. In these cases, the processing time can be significantly longer, up to several months. However, such exceptions are rare.

Deregistration.de: Processing times by city

In our experience, the smaller the city, the faster the processing time. Only the postal service may experience delays. On average, you should receive your confirmation within 2-3 weeks.

If your city is not listed, the normal processing time is up to 4 weeks:

How can I deregister my secondary residence (Zweitwohnsitz)?

In short: You can deregister your secondary residence (in German: Zweitwohnsitz or Nebenwohnsitz) in person or in writing at the relevant office in accordance with § 21 BMG. You will need your identity card or passport and the completed deregistration form.

To deregister your secondary residence, proceed as follows:

1. Preparation: Make an appointment at your local citizens’office or download the deregistration form, which is often available online on your citizens’office website.
2. Choose your authority: You can deregister your secondary residence both at the citizens’ office of the secondary residence and at that of your main residence. This is useful, for example, if you move back from a secondary residence to your main residence and do not move into a new apartment.
3. Fill in the documents and send them: Complete the form in full and sign it. You will also need a copy of your identity card or passport. Send everything to your registration office by the deadline.
4. Note the deadlines: You should deregister your secondary residence at the earliest one week before you move out and at the latest two weeks after.
5. Receive a deregistration certificate: Once you have successfully deregistered, you will receive a deregistration confirmation, which you will need for various official purposes and for terminating contracts.

Please note that you do not have to deregister your secondary residence if you move into a new secondary residence in Germany. In this case, it is sufficient to register with the new municipality and the old citizens’ office will be informed automatically.

Can someone else deregister my address?

In short: Yes, someone else can deregister your current residence for you if they have a power of attorney from you.

A written power of attorney is required for someone else to deregister. This power of attorney must contain the names, dates of birth and signatures (except for underage children or spouses) of all persons to be deregistered.

In addition, the previous and new address or primary residence as well as the scope of the power of attorney (in this case the deregistration of residence) must be stated. The authorized representative must provide their personal details and the signature of both parties on the power of attorney, as well as their ID.

We also work with powers of attorney when deregistering our customers. It is particularly important to the authorities that the signature of the authorized representative matches the signature on the passport or ID card. If this is not the case, the power of attorney is invalid.

The following should also be noted:

• Spouses, registered partners and family members can deregister together using one form.
• If there are several people who are not related to each other or do not live in the same household, each person must complete and sign a separate form.
• In the case of minors under the age of 16, the person from whose home the child is moving out must sign (§ 17section 3 BMG).

Landlords also have the option of deregistering former tenants using the deregistration form in order to prevent bogus residences. Deregistration forms and further information are often available online on the respective websites of the registration authorities and can be completed in advance.

“People who are not related to each other and move out of the same home at the same time can deregister using one form. Spouses who are not registered at the same address, on the other hand, need two deregistration forms. The decisive factor is not the relationship of the people moving out, but whether they wish to deregister at the same address at the same time”.

–Oliver Frankfurth

What happens if I forget to deregister?

In short: If you fail to deregister your address, it can lead to unnecessary and annoying bureaucratic problems.

Here are some of the consequences you may face if you fail to deregister your residence:

• You can be fined up to €1,000.
• You may have to pay tax in Germany on income earned abroad.
• You must continue to pay broadcasting fees.
• Your bank account may be blocked or seized.
• You must continue to pay health insurance contributions.
• You cannot apply for/renew a new German passport or identity card outside Germany.

You cannot terminate telephone and internet contracts early or make use of your special right of termination.

Tax consequences

Persons who are resident or ordinarily resident in Germany are subject to unlimited income tax liability. The income earned worldwide must then be taxed in Germany. (§ 1 EStG)

You are obliged to provide proof of your move abroad. We therefore recommend that you keep proof and the necessary documents. If you have any questions or are unsure about your individual situation, please contact a tax advisor.

Ongoing obligations

Without proper deregistration of your place of residence, you remain liable to pay various contributions and contracts:

• Broadcasting fee (GEZ): It is only possible to cancel the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkgebühren) if you give up your residence in Germany and move abroad. Otherwise, you must continue to pay the fees. You will need your deregistration certificate as proof of deregistration from the GEZ.
• Statutory health insurance: If you do not deregister, you will remain covered by health insurance in Germany (compulsory insurance) and must pay the corresponding contributions, even if you move abroad. In order to terminate your health insurance, you will need your deregistration certificate as proof.
• Contractual obligations: Some contracts cannot be terminated prematurely. Many contracts have a fixed term of 12 or 24 months, for example. Since 2012, moving abroad has been a valid reason for a special right of termination for telephone and Internet contracts. The termination usually takes effect at the end of the month (sometimes not until the following month) and requires the submission of a confirmation of deregistration. In the case of electricity and some other contracts, there are also sometimes clauses that allow early contract cancellation in the event of relocation.

“The special right of termination applies if the contractually agreed service can no longer be provided. For example, if you move abroad, you can no longer use your German Internet contract because your provider cannot (or can no longer) provide the service abroad. In this case, you can terminate the contract without notice, unless otherwise agreed in the contract.”

–Oliver Frankfurth

Late deregistration: I forgot to deregister in Germany

Have you forgotten to deregister from Germany and are perhaps already living in another country? You can deregister online with our service.

If you miss the statutory deregistration deadline of 7 days before to 14 days after your move, you will have to deregister late, or you run the risk of being officially deregistered (von Amtswegen abgemeldet). As described in the previous paragraph, late deregistration can be punished with a fine of up to €1,000. But we have only experienced this once so far!

“Von Amtswegen abgemeldet” … what is that?

You can be officially deregistered as unknown by your local citizens’ office. This happens, for example, if official mail cannot be delivered to you and therefore has to be returned to the sender. The authorities then considers your address to be invalid.

This often happens if you move abroad and forget to deregister at the Citizens’ Registration Office. If you have been officially deregistered, you can no longer receive a deregistration certificate, as this is only issued once and only if you have deregistered properly.

What do I need the deregistration certificate for?

As already mentioned, you need the deregistration certificate to be able to deregister from various insurance policies and contracts. Among other things, you cannot cancel your German health insurance and broadcasting fees without the deregistration certificate.

You also need the deregistration certificate to renew your German passport when you are out of the country.

You can only apply for a new passport at the diplomatic mission abroad (e.g. German consulate) at your new place of residence abroad with a confirmation of deregistration. Without confirmation of deregistration, you will have to travel to your last registration address in Germany to have your passport renewed. This can be expensive and time-consuming.

You are welcome to use our service to receive your deregistration certificate even if it is delayed. We will then check whether you have already been officially deregistered or whether we can still carry out a regular late deregistration and adjust the application accordingly.

Requesting an extract from the population register

Have you lost your deregistration certificate or have you been officially deregistered? In this case, you must apply for a registration certificate at your local Citizens’ Office or via Deregistration.de. This certificate contains all the information about your last place of residence in Germany and your deregistration. You will usually have to pay a small fee of between €5 and €20 to your responsible Bürgeramt in advance.

You then have to prove when you left the country. To do this, you must present documents such as flight tickets, new rental contracts and new employment contracts.

Deregistering from Germany – an essential step

Deregistering your place of residence is an important bureaucratic step that you need to take when you move abroad or give up your home. All you need is a completed deregistration form and a valid passport or identity card. But don’t forget to deregister in good time to avoid unnecessary, time-consuming and costly problems!

Download our comprehensive and free checklist. It briefly summarizes all the points in this article and gives you an overview of all the tasks you need to complete before you leave Germany!