You’ve spent some time in Germany, and now you’ve decided it’s time to move on. Whether you’re leaving Germany permanently or just leaving Germany temporarily, the process comes with many highs and lows, and any major relocation can feel overwhelming. You’re not only leaving behind friends, family, and memories, but also a long list of tasks that need to be taken care of. It can be daunting to keep track of everything that needs to be done when you’re moving out of Germany.
There are many things to consider: Besides deregistering, contracts need to be canceled, and various organizations must be informed about your move. On top of that, German bureaucracy can often be confusing and hard to navigate. If you’re wondering what to do when leaving Germany, we’re here to help.
We’ve created a leaving Germany checklist with a comprehensive guide on what to do and when, along with suggestions on how to get these tasks done. By following this checklist, you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle, and in some cases, money—not to mention time and effort. Plus, we offer a range of services designed to save you even more time and effort.
Things to do before leaving germany – Key points
- Notify your landlord and terminate your rental contract.
- Deregister at the local registration office (Bürgeramt).
- Cancel or transfer utilities, internet, and other subscriptions.
- Inform your health insurance provider and other relevant institutions.
- Cancel TV and radio tax to avoid further payments.
- Close your bank account and settle any outstanding bills.
- Set up a mail forwarding order and get your mail at your new address.
- Cancel child benefit, school and kindergarten allowances.
- Apply for a pension refund in Germany (possible after 24 month).
Leaving Germany Checklist: download for free
1. Terminate your rental apartment before leaving Germany
In short: The legal notice period for terminating a rental contract in Germany is three months. You must inform your landlord within the notice period specified in your rental agreement that you intend to terminate the lease. If you have a new tenant ready to take over, you might be able to negotiate a quicker handover. Don’t forget to create a handover report during the final inspection and document any damages with photos. You should also receive the security deposit you paid when moving in.
In Germany, rental agreements must be terminated in writing, using a letter with your personal signature to notify your landlord of your intention to move out. Notice must typically be given by the 3rd of the month, allowing for a three-month termination period (e.g., notice by October 3rd ends the lease by December 31st). Note that your contract may specify different notice periods or restrict termination to certain times of the month. Ensure the termination letter is a hard copy, as emails are not legally sufficient.
In most cases, the landlord will handle finding a new tenant. However, you can ask if you are allowed to suggest a new tenant yourself to potentially shorten the three-month notice period.
Shortly before moving out, your landlord will typically schedule a final inspection. During this inspection, it is essential to conduct a thorough handover of the property. Review the inventory (especially in furnished flats) and inspect the condition of the flat carefully. Create a detailed handover report (usually prepared by the landlord) that all parties sign to document any existing damages and avoid misunderstandings. Be sure to take photos or a brief video of the property to prevent any disputes later on.
2. Cancel your insurance contracts (Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, and Others)
When preparing to leave Germany, make a list of all insurance policies you need to cancel, such as health, car, and liability insurance. Obtain your Abmeldung certificate by deregistering at your local authority (Bürgeramt). Provide this certificate to your health insurance provider, along with proof of your permanent move, such as a one-way flight ticket or new employment contract. This will help you cancel your German health insurance and any other relevant contracts. By law, everyone in Germany must have health insurance, and failure to deregister can result in continued charges.
Tip: Cancel your contracts online with Deregistration.de
3. Deregister your residence when moving out of Germany
In short: Deregistering from Germany is mandatory when you are leaving the country. The deregistration certificate you receive after successfully completing the process is essential for canceling various contracts and insurance policies.
For example, it grants you a special termination right for internet and phone contracts and allows you to cancel obligations like TV and radio tax in Germany and mandatory insurances such as health insurance. It is also necessary because, if you are still registered in Germany, you may still be liable to pay taxes.
You can usually schedule an appointment for deregistration at the local registration office no earlier than 7 days before your move. If you need to deregister earlier, check with your local registration office for alternative options. It is recommended to submit the deregistration documents within 14 days of your departure. If you forget to deregister, you should do so as soon as possible. A late deregistration can result in a fine of up to €1,000.
Need help? We’re happy to handle the (late) deregistration for you! Click here to access our service.
4. Deregister your vehicle & get your driver’s license back
If you converted your foreign driver’s license to a German one, you can request your original license back. Keep in mind that German bureaucracy can be slow, so it’s best to schedule an appointment with the relevant authority well in advance — ideally at least six weeks before you leave. If you owned a car in Germany, you must also deregister it. You can find more information on car deregistration here.
If you are exporting, selling, transferring your vehicle abroad, or scrapping it, you must deregister it with the local vehicle registration office or online with Deregistration.de. Fees for deregistration vary by state, usually ranging from €10-30.
Failure to deregister can lead to continued liability for taxes, fines, and potential legal complications. Our customers often face issues when relocating with their cars; while you can drive to a neighboring country, you must submit your license plates to complete the deregistration process in Germany.
If you don’t have time to deregister your car yourself, you can use our service. We handle the entire process for you. Learn more about our service here.
5. Cancel utility contracts
In short: Other supply contracts must be terminated in good time, e.g:
- Electricity, gas, and water contracts
- Internet and mobile phone contracts
- Gym membership
- Subscriptions and memberships
If you want to use your special termination rights, you will need your deregistration certificate or another proof that you are leaving Germany. Learn more about contract cancellation.
If you are moving, you may have a special right to terminate your electricity, gas, or water contracts early. This right applies if your new residence is outside the service area of your current provider or if you are moving out of Germany. Be sure to notify your providers 4-6 weeks before moving, and take a meter reading for your final bill.
If you are canceling outside the regular notice periods, providers often require the deregistration certificate as proof.
If your mobile provider cannot deliver services at your new location, you can terminate your contract early. However, compensation may be required, especially if you received a subsidized phone. This right also applies if you move abroad. Click here to learn more about our service.
6. Coordinate your move
In short: Get quotes from multiple moving companies to find the best option and compare prices.
To make the best choice, request several estimates from different moving companies. Many providers now offer virtual surveys to provide more accurate quotes. Be sure to check reviews and ratings in advance to ensure you can trust the company you select.
Start your research ideally 4-5 months before your move to avoid any unpleasant surprises. This will help ensure that the moving company arrives on time and that everything runs smoothly. If your plans change, you will have enough time to find alternative solutions, saving you time, money, and stress in the long run.
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7. Set up a mail forwarding order when leaving Germany
In short: You can have all your mail forwarded from your previous German address to your new residence for 6, 12, or even 24 months. Learn more about mail forwarding.
To ensure that no important mail gets lost after your move, you can set up a forwarding service with Deutsche Post. Once you have your new address, you can arrange for all letters to be redirected there. If you’re temporarily staying somewhere else, you can alternatively use the address of a friend or family member to make sure you don’t miss important documents, like your deregistration certificate.
If you need a fast, flexible, and reliable mail forwarding service, feel free to use our service. Find more information here.
8. Close or keep your bank account
In short: First, check for any outstanding payments and note that it may be easier to have your security deposit refunded to your German bank account. We recommend keeping the account open for a few months longer than your planned departure from Germany.
Before closing your bank account, ensure that all payments, such as rent or bills, have been settled. It’s often more practical to keep your German account open for the return of your rental deposit. We suggest notifying your bank a few weeks before your departure, but keeping the account open for at least 6 months after you leave.
Can I keep my German bank account after leaving Germany? – Yes that is possible!
In some cases, it is wise to maintain your German bank account long-term:
- Pending Refunds: If you expect any refunds or reimbursements, such as utility bills or tax returns, it’s beneficial to keep the account active.
- Contractual Obligations: If you have ongoing contracts or subscriptions that need to be managed or canceled, a German bank account can simplify the process.
- Regular Transfers: If you continue to receive income or payments in Germany, such as pensions or investment returns, a German account is advantageous.
- Ease of Reuse: If you plan to return to Germany in the near future, keeping an existing account open will be more convenient.
You can also inform your bank about a follow-up account where any remaining balances can be transferred from your German account. This helps you avoid complications and ensures a smooth financial transition after your move abroad.
9. Cancel TV and radio tax
In short: You can cancel your TV and radio tax (broadcasting fee or GEZ) in Germany if you are:
- Moving to an apartment where fees are already covered
- Giving up a second home
- Relocating to another country
- In the case of the fee-payer passing away, relatives must cancel the fee.
The cancellation can be made at any time if one of these reasons applies, with no specific notice period. It becomes effective the following month. You can cancel online through the GEZ website or print and mail the completed forms. Alternatively, use our service to handle the process for you.
The fee might not be high, but there’s no reason to keep paying it if you no longer live in Germany. Check out our blog post for all the important information about radio tax in Germany.
How to Cancel the GEZ:
The radio tax deregistration is usually done online through the Contribution Service portal. You will need the following documents:
- Deregistration certificate from the local registration office (proof that you are leaving Germany or no longer have a residence there).
- Customer number or contribution number, which you can find in your GEZ documents.
- A simple cancellation letter (can be directly filled out in the online form).
Once you complete the cancellation form and upload the necessary documents, your payments will be stopped. It is advisable to request a confirmation of the cancellation to ensure that no further charges are made.
If you’re short on time or prefer not to deal with German bureaucracy, we are happy to handle the cancellation for you. Book our service for a hassle-free experience.
10. Cancel child benefits and school or kindergarten allowances
In short: Child benefits must be canceled in a timely manner to avoid fines and repayments. School and kindergarten subsidies should also be terminated on time. If you need help canceling your child benefits, you can use our service to save time. Don’t forget to cancel your parental allowance if you are leaving Germany.
If you have been living in Germany with your children, you may have received child benefits or enrolled your children in school or kindergarten. In this case, you must inform the Familienkasse (the Family Benefits Office responsible for child benefit payments) about your departure from Germany.
Continuing to receive child benefits after moving abroad can result in fines, as well as repayment of the funds that were incorrectly received. It is essential to notify the Familienkasse with a clear and understandable letter to prove that you have fulfilled your obligation.
You should also inform the school or kindergarten in advance. Since there are often waiting lists, your timely notice allows another family to take your spot. Additionally, it gives the school and teachers more time to prepare a farewell and ensure a smooth transition.
Any outstanding school or kindergarten fees must also be settled or waived. If the spot is subsidized by the local government, the relevant authority should be informed as well. We recommend doing this at least three months before your move or as early as possible.
For a detailed blog post on canceling child benefits, click here.
11. Apply for a pension refund after leaving Germany
All employees in Germany automatically contribute to the national pension scheme. If you are relocating from Germany, you may be eligible for a refund of these pension contributions.
You can apply for a refund 24 months after your last contribution, with processing times typically ranging from 1 to 6 months. Use our eligibility check to see if you qualify.
We highly recommend our partner, Fundsback, for reclaiming your German pension contributions. They offer a seamless, English-speaking service handled by professionals, including lawyers, to ensure a smooth refund process.
Start your hassle-free pension refund journey with Fundsback.org today!
Can I leave Germany and come back?
Yes, you can leave Germany temporarily and come back, but there are several important factors and procedures to be aware of, depending on your residency status, duration of absence, and the purpose of your travel.
1. Residence Permit and Absence from Germany
If you have a residence permit in Germany, you are allowed to leave and return, but there are specific conditions. The standard rule is that your residence permit becomes invalid if you leave Germany for more than six months. However, there are exceptions:
- You can apply for an extension of this six-month period if you need to be away for a longer time due to personal or professional reasons. You should apply for this extension before leaving Germany, at the Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde).
- Some residence permits, such as those for students or Blue Card holders, may have different rules. It’s essential to check the specific conditions attached to your permit.
2. Deregistration (Abmeldung) and Returning to Germany
If you leave Germany permanently, you are required to deregister at the local citizen’s office (Bürgeramt). However, if you intend to return, there are two scenarios:
- Temporary Leave: If you are leaving temporarily (e.g., for a few months), you do not need to deregister. Just ensure your residence permit remains valid.
- Permanent Leave with Plans to Return: If you deregister but plan to return to Germany in the future, you must register again at the Bürgeramt upon your return and may need to reapply for a residence permit if it has expired during your absence.
3. Impact on Health Insurance and Other Services
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany for all residents, including those returning from abroad. If you were previously insured by a statutory health insurance fund in Germany, you can rejoin that fund upon your return—unless you were privately insured while abroad. If you were privately insured, you will need to continue with private insurance in Germany.
Those returning from another EU country who were covered by statutory health insurance there can also join a German statutory fund. Private insurers must offer a “basic tariff” for those who find standard premiums unaffordable, which provides coverage similar to statutory health insurance
4. Re-Entering Germany as a Non-EU Citizen
If you are a non-EU citizen, your visa or residence permit dictates your ability to leave and return to Germany. Short-term Schengen visa holders can leave and return to the Schengen area within the visa’s validity period, as long as they respect the maximum allowed stay (usually 90 days in any 180-day period). For those with long-term residence permits, the conditions for re-entry depend on the type of permit and its specific terms.
5. Planning Your Re-Entry to Germany
When planning to leave and return, consider the following:
- Documentation: Ensure all your travel documents, including passport and residence permit, are valid for re-entry.
- Residence: If you maintained a registered address in Germany, you could return without needing to re-register. However, if you deregistered, you’ll need to complete the registration process again upon your return.
- Work and Studies: If you are employed or studying in Germany, inform your employer or educational institution about your plans. This can help maintain your status and prevent issues with permits or contracts.
Please keep in mind that we do our best to provide credible and up-to-date information, but we are not an official advisor (in the sense of the Legal Services Act, RDG) for taxes, legal matters, and the like. Our service does not replace an individual consultation with legal assistance, and we provide digital tools and automated workflows to assist with the residence deregistration and related necessary steps.
