DeutschMunich, the capital of Bavaria, is a vibrant hub, with approximately 1.6 million residents (2023), and one of the largest cities in Germany. Despite its undeniable charm, many people choose to emigrate from the city every year. In 2022 alone, approximately 111,300 people left the city of Munich.(1)
When moving, and especially when emigrating, the correct deregistration of your residence is an essential step. On one hand, completing this mandatory process serves to avoid fines. On the other hand, with the help of the deregistration certificate, one can terminate important contracts, such as health insurance or broadcasting fees (GEZ).
Even though the bureaucracy may initially seem daunting, you will find that it is just a matter of adhering to the right procedure, which our team of experts is happy to assist you with. In this blog post, we have summarized the most important information about residence deregistration in Munich. We hope you enjoy reading it.
When do I have to deregister in Munich?
You will need to deregister your residence in Munich if you are planning to leave Germany permanently. However, if you are just moving within Germany, no deregistration is necessary. Instead, you simply register your new residence (within two weeks after moving), and your old residence will automatically be “re-registered”.
The legal situation in Germany stipulates that you must deregister at least one week before and no later than two weeks after your move. Based on our experience, we advise you to deregister your residence as early as possible to avoid potential problems and penalties or to have the possibility to submit any missing documents within the legal timeframe.
Deregistering your residence is important for several reasons. The aim of your deregistration is to obtain an official deregistration certificate. For example, you need this to exercise your special right of termination when canceling contracts. With a deregistration certificate, your notice periods for various contracts can be shortened. The deregistration certificate is also essential for canceling the GEZ (public broadcasting fee) and your German health insurance. Without it, it is not possible to cancel these two contracts, as only the deregistration certificate proves that you are leaving Germany and are, thereafter, no longer subject to mandatory health insurance in Germany or liable to pay public broadcasting fees.
Keep your deregistration certificate after your move in case you need to: 1) renew your German passport abroad, 2) start the pension refund process, or 3) receive your pension abroad. As you can see, this document is very important during and after your emigration.
Abmeldung Munich: Your Possibilities
In Munich, there are several ways for you to deregister your residence:
- With an appointment at the KVR: You can make an appointment and do the deregistration directly on-site.
- Without an appointment at the KVR: mail, fax, email, or even with our digital service. With us, you just need to book and nothing else.
- Online: If you are moving abroad, you even have the option to deregister online on the KVR’s website. However, bear in mind that the online deregistration in Munich is only available in German. If you are unsure or simply don’t want to deal with the bureaucracy, you can use our service.
If you want to deregister in person and on-site in Munich, you first need to make an appointment. Once you have an appointment, you can fill out your deregistration form at the KVR and thus initiate your deregistration. If you deregister in person, the deregistration takes place during the appointment. You can find out which additional documents you need further down in the article.
To deregister by mail, fax, or email, you need to download the Munich deregistration form and fill it out. Send it along with the other necessary documents (Usually an ID is sufficient) to the KVR in Munich.
The digital deregistration takes place on the KVR’s website, but it is only available in German. If you don’t have the time or inclination to properly and promptly deregister yourself and your family from Munich, you are welcome to use our service. We send your documents on your behalf to Munich and receive your deregistration certificate at our German address. We provide you with a digital version or send your original certificate to any desired address. We handle all communication with the authorities.
Another advantage: We keep your deregistration certificate in our archive for you for two years, so you can have it sent to you again at any time.
Online Deregistration Service in English
If you want to save time and avoid stress by not dealing with your deregistration, you can book one of our deregistration packages. You don’t need to speak German or have a German address!
We offer online deregistration for Munich in English. If you book our Personal Assistant or Premium package, you don’t have to do anything more than fill out the booking form and pay. We carry out the deregistration for you and receive your deregistration certificate by post.
Additionally: With both packages, you also get a step-by-step guide to deregister from the GEZ, and our expert team is always available to answer all your questions.
The great thing about our service is you don’t even need to be in Germany or have a German address available. We work 100% digitally.
What is KVR Munich?
The KVR Munich, or Kreisverwaltungsreferat, is the municipal office of the city of Munich, Germany. This department is responsible for various public services and administrative tasks within the city. These include, among other things, the registration and deregistration of residents, the issuance of identification documents such as passports and ID cards, vehicle registration, as well as immigration and nationality matters.
If you are moving to Munich, you must register your residence with the KVR. If you are moving out of Munich or leaving Germany entirely, you must deregister your residence at the KVR. This is an important step to ensure that all your documents are up to date with the city administration and to avoid potential legal issues that may arise if you do not report a change in your residency status.
Processing Times at KVR Munich
In the last nine years, we have collaborated with many citizen offices across Germany, including the Department of Public Order (Kreisverwaltungsreferat) in Munich. Those who make an appointment in person and deregister their residence on-site receive the deregistration certificate immediately. Those who try another way often have longer processing times. Here, we want to share the experience we have gained with the deregistration by fax, mail, and email at the KVR in Munich.
The processing times of the citizen’s offices are influenced by several factors. These include sickness- or holiday-related absences of staff, but also possible effects of general issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic or other significant events.
The KVR is also affected by these factors. In addition, Munich is a big city that has to handle a lot of bureaucracy daily. We have found that deregistration in Munich can take about 4 – 12 weeks.
We have written another blog article about the processing times of citizen’s offices, where we also regularly record the current processing times of the offices. Processing times of citizen offices in Germany.
What if I forget to deregister from Germany?
Ideally, you should not forget to deregister your residence, as this could lead to problems with the citizens’ office, the broadcast service fee (GEZ), and your health insurance. You may face penalties if you forget to deregister. Moreover, you won’t receive a deregistration certificate, preventing you from deregistering from the broadcasting fees and your German health insurance. You need to provide the deregistration certificate to prove that you have left Germany and are no longer obliged to pay the GEZ or required to have health insurance in Germany.
BUT DON’T WORRY
If you did forget, there is a solution. We have fully digitalized and translated into English the deregistration process for Munich. Even if you are late and already abroad, you can use our service for late deregistration. We liaise with the citizens’ office on your behalf, procure the deregistration for you, receive your deregistration certificate, and forward it to you abroad by post or email. We also assist in canceling your health insurance, the GEZ, and other contracts like electricity, other insurances, and family benefits.
Did you know that you have a special right to cancel contracts in Germany when you emigrate? Choose a smart, comprehensive, and convenient way with us to deregister your residence in München. Don’t forget any bureaucratic steps.
Required documents for city deregistration in Munich?
For your Abmeldung at Stadt München, you typically need the following documents:
- Completed deregistration form (Abmeldung): The form requires basic information about you and your residence in Munich.
- Proof of identity: This can be a valid passport or ID card.
- Address for the deregistration certificate: Although you are leaving Germany, you will need an address where the Bürgerbüro/KVR can send the deregistration confirmation. Please check in advance if the KVR will send the certificate abroad!!
- Other documents: Additional documentation may be required depending on your individual situation (e.g. if you are deregistering delayed, with your family, etc.). Ask them in advance!
Do I need to close my bank account if I leave Germany?
It’s not strictly necessary to close your bank account when you leave Germany. There may be reasons why you might want to keep it open, such as receiving income from German sources, keeping a reserve of euros, getting retirement benefits, claiming a pension refund, or making it easier to return to Germany in the future. However, there are a few things you should consider:
- Fees: Some German bank accounts have monthly or yearly fees, which can add up over time. If your bank charges fees for your account, and you’re not planning on using it, it might be more cost-effective to close the account.
- Tax implications: Depending on your new country of residence, you may need to declare your foreign bank accounts for tax purposes. You should check the tax regulations in your new country of residence.
- Account activity: Some banks may close accounts due to inactivity or require a minimum balance to keep the account open. You should check the specific terms and conditions of your bank.
- Accessing your account: If you’re living abroad, accessing your account or dealing with any issues could be more complicated, especially if the bank requires you to be physically present or does not offer comprehensive online banking services.
- Receiving mail: Banks often send out important communications via post. If you do decide to keep your German bank account, make sure your bank has your updated address or arrange for a forwarding service.
So, it ultimately depends on your specific circumstances. If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to discuss your situation with your bank. They can advise you on what’s best for you.
Abmeldung Auto München: Digital Service
Are you already living abroad and need to deregister your car from Germany? We have also digitized this process and specialize in handling the deregistration of your car from Germany, no matter where in the world you are.
Our team of experts is well-versed in German bureaucracy and can manage all the necessary procedures to ensure your car is deregistered correctly and legally.
With our service, you don’t have to worry about appointments, documents, or forms, and if you’re already abroad, you certainly don’t have to come back for your vehicle deregistration.
We arrange an appointment with the vehicle registration office and deregister your vehicle in person on-site. Don’t let bureaucracy and paperwork stress you – let us handle everything for you!
- Take care of all the paperwork comfortably online
- You don’t need to speak German
- No need to travel back to Germany
- Customer support via live chat and email
Do you no longer have all the vehicle documents?
No problem. Our service also works with incomplete documents. We check in advance whether we can deregister your car.
Take a closer look at our extensive Blog article about car deregistration in Germany: Deregister your vehicle online. You will get to know everything necessary about the process, how much it costs, and which documents you need.
Who has to deregister a car in Munich?
There are several circumstances under which an individual may need to deregister their car registered in Germany:
- If the car is permanently being exported to another country, it must be deregistered from the German registration system.
- If the car is being sold to a new owner residing in a different country, the seller has to deregister the vehicle in Germany.
- If the vehicle owner is moving out of Germany and taking the car with them, they need to deregister the vehicle from the German registration system and re-register it in their new country of residence.
- If the car is being scrapped or dismantled, it must be deregistered from the German registration system.
- Typically, the vehicle owner is responsible for deregistering the vehicle from the German registration system. If the owner is no longer residing in Germany, they need to designate a representative in Germany to perform the deregistration on their behalf.
Abmeldung Gewerbe München: How it works!
The deregistration of a business is a necessary and legal obligation for companies in Germany under certain circumstances, as defined in § 14 of the Trade Regulations. Therefore, traders and self-employed individuals are obliged to report changes to their business, including immediate closure, without delay.
Key Instances of Trade Deregistration:
- Permanent discontinuation of the business
- The relocation of the registered office to another city or municipality
- The departure of partners in partnerships
- If a business is uncertain about future projects, a declaration of dormancy can be an alternative to trade deregistration. This way, businesses won’t have to reapply for necessary licenses if operations resume later.
Trade deregistration is not necessarily synonymous with discontinuation of business activity. For instance, businesses moving their operations to the jurisdiction of another municipality or city must deregister their company at the old location before re-registering at the new place of activity.
What You Need to Deregister:
- A filled out and signed trade deregistration form.
- Your current business license.
- Your ID card.
- A confirmation paper that you’re moving (especially if you’re moving to another country).
It’s very important to deregister your business when you’re closing it, moving it, or changing its legal form. After you deregister, the Trade Licensing Office will tell the tax office, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Chamber of Crafts, the registry court, and the insurance association, if needed.
Let us take care of your business deregistration! Get started now!
- Benefit from our English language service
- You don’t need to speak German
- Hassle-free online procedure
- Reach us anytime through Live Chat & Email
Optimize and digitize your business deregistration with our expert help
Looking to deregister your business in Germany? We’re here to make it easier for you. Our team of experts will guide you through every step of the process, ensuring you:
- Get Expert Support: Our team is well-versed in the ins and outs of German business deregistration. We’ll make sure everything is done right.
- Save Time & Effort: Why bother with complicated paperwork when we can handle it for you? Save your valuable time for other important tasks.
- Stay Compliant: We’ll make sure you avoid any fines or penalties by doing everything according to the rules.
Experience a smoother business deregistration process with our help. Reach out to our experts to start the process now.
If you want to know more about deregistering your business in Germany, don’t forget to check out our detailed blog post: “Deregistering Your Business When Leaving Germany“.
Conclusion of the deregistration process in Munich
If you are preparing to move abroad and leave Germany, deregistration is a necessary and legal step that must be taken. In Munich, this process can be carried out at the local citizens’ office, also known as the KVR, or by post, fax, email, online, and with our digital expert service.
The goal of deregistration is to obtain a deregistration certificate, as you need it for further bureaucratic matters.
The citizens’ office usually requires only a completed and signed deregistration form, your ID card, passport, or passport substitute papers.
If you do not deregister, this can lead to automatic deregistration by the authorities, also known as “deregistration by official channels”. If you do not deregister within two weeks, you face a fine of up to €1,000. (2)
Therefore, it is important that you carry out deregistration properly when leaving Germany to avoid unnecessary complications or penalties and make your emigration as seamless as possible.
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Sources:
1. https://stadt.muenchen.de/infos/statistik-bevoelkerung
2. https://www.freistaat.bayern/dokumente/leistung/846323559210
