What happens if I forget to re-register?

Anyone who does not register, or does not register in time, commits an administrative offence (§ 54 BMG). The authority can impose a fine ; the law states up to €1,000 as the upper limit. In addition, the authorities do not have your current address – post, official notices and polling cards may then not reach you. So catch up on registering immediately.

How high is the fine for late registration?

The law only sets the upper limit: up to €1,000 (§ 54 BMG). The authority determines the specific amount case by case, for example according to how long the delay lasted and whether you registered late of your own accord. There are no uniform amounts nationwide; so catch up on registering your address as quickly as possible.

Do I also have to register a second home?

Yes, a secondary residence must also be registered. Anyone who is already registered in Germany and only uses another home for up to six months does not have to register it; if they stay longer, the two-week deadline applies again (§ 27 (2) BMG). Note that many cities levy a second home tax on secondary residences.

Where exactly do I have to register after the move?

The registration authority of the municipality in which your new home is located is responsible – in Berlin, any registration office, with an appointment via service.berlin.de or online. In other cities the office is often called the citizens' office (Bürgerbüro) or residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt); appointments and online services can be found on the city's website.

Which documents do I need to register?

To register your address , you need your ID card or passport and the landlord confirmation . If you live in a property you own, you are the housing provider yourself and fill in the confirmation yourself. The tenancy agreement does not replace the confirmation; put the documents together before the move.

Can I register my new address online?

In Berlin, yes: with an ID card with the online function, PIN and BundID, you can register online without an appointment if you are moving within Germany. Some other cities offer this too, others only appointment booking. Check with your municipality. Online, registration is often done in a few minutes – even shortly before the deadline.

Does the registration deadline also apply to a long-distance move to another federal state?

Yes, the two-week deadline applies everywhere in the same way, whether you move within a city or to another federal state with a long-distance move . The registration authority at the new address is then responsible; deregistering at the old address is not necessary. Our routes from Berlin can be found under long-distance moves .

What is a landlord confirmation and why do I need it?

The landlord confirmation is issued by the landlord; it confirms your move-in with the date, address and the names of the people required to register (§ 19 BMG). The landlord must issue it within the two-week deadline; if they do not, they also commit an administrative offence. Without it, the registration authority cannot complete the registration.

Do I also have to re-register my car in addition to my residence?

Yes, after the move you must have your car re-registered at the vehicle registration office without delay; the number plate can stay even if you change registration district. This is easiest with the new registration certificate. Plan both appointments within the same few days.

Can I still register if the deadline has already passed?

Yes, registering your address late is possible at any time and should be done immediately if the deadline has passed. Whether a fine is imposed, and how high, is decided by the authority case by case. Registering late of your own accord and promptly shows good will.

Does your moving company help with organising registration?

The registration can only be done by the person required to register. We make sure you have time for it: with a private move , we take care of packing, carrying and transport at a fixed price. Our advice: book your registration office appointment as soon as the moving date is fixed.

STRESS-FREE MOVING

Forgot to register your new address: a fine?

Q: How much time do I have to register after the move?

Under the Federal Registration Act , you have two weeks from moving in to register with the registration authority (§ 17 BMG). This applies to a move within a city just as much as after a long-distance move . So book the appointment before moving day or, where possible, register online. The deadline runs from the day you actually move in.

If you forget to register your new address after a move, you risk a fine – the deadline, the range and what to do now.

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FROM BERLIN-MOABIT

Guide to the authorities

Forgot to register: what you risk and what to do now

Deadline, fine, catching up

Unsere Firma is based in Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and here reminds you of the deadline that is most often forgotten after a move.

Between boxes, the handover and a new job, registering your address (Ummeldung) is easily forgotten. Yet the deadline is short: anyone who moves into a home must register with the registration authority within two weeks (§ 17 BMG). Anyone who fails to do so, does so incorrectly or not in time commits an administrative offence; the fine can be up to €1,000 (§ 54 BMG). How high it is in an individual case is decided by the authority. The good news: you can catch up at any time – and the sooner, the better.

The easiest way to avoid the problem is to book the appointment before the move or – where possible – to register online, in Berlin for example with the online ID function and BundID. Have the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) ready for this, which your landlord must issue within the two weeks. We take care of the move itself with our private move at a fixed price, so that you have time for the formalities.

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PERSONAL CONSULTATION

Hand over the move, meet the deadline

Fixed price after an inventory

With our fixed price you know in advance what the move will cost. We take care of packing, carrying and transport within Berlin as well as to and from Berlin, see long-distance moves. That leaves enough time in the two weeks after moving in for registering your address. Call us on 01625978461; after the assessment the price is fixed, and you can plan your appointment at the authority straight afterwards.

Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.

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MAXIMUM CARE

What we take off your hands – and what stays with you

The move by us, registration by you

The registration at the registration office (Bürgeramt) can only be done by the person required to register – we take the move itself off your hands. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21), take care of packing, carrying, transport and, on request, assembly, and quote the price as a fixed price after the assessment. For damage to household goods we are liable under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre. Our advice: fix your registration office appointment at the same time as the moving date; destinations with their own page can be found under locations.

Packing on request

With a packing service there is time left for formalities. Put your ID card and landlord confirmation in your bag, not in a box.

Done quickly

If the furniture transport is done in one day, the two weeks after are free for the authorities, the post and contracts – and for unpacking.

Assembly

With a move with assembly, the desk is up by the evening – and with it a place for documents, appointments and online registration.

Parking restriction

A parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone) shortens moving day. On request we apply for it and set it up, so that you can take care of other things.

WHAT APPLIES

Six facts about the obligation to register

You should know these six points from the Federal Registration Act (Bundesmeldegesetz, BMG) if registering your address after the move is still outstanding – or already overdue. They apply nationwide; each city organises the implementation (appointment, online) itself.

Two-week deadline

From moving in, you have two weeks for registration (§ 17 BMG) – even when moving within the same city or street.

Fine of up to €1,000

Anyone who does not register, or does not register in time, commits an administrative offence.

Catching up pays off

If you have missed the deadline, register as quickly as possible. The authority sets the amount of any fine case by case.

Landlords have obligations too

The landlord must confirm the move-in within the deadline (§ 19 BMG). Registration is not possible without the landlord confirmation.

Secondary residence

A second home must also be registered. If you are already registered, you only have to register a secondary residence if you stay longer than six months.

No deregistration within Germany

When moving within Germany, you only register at the new address. You only have to deregister if you are not moving into a new home in Germany.

FOR SMALL LOADS

Shared load: furniture later, deadline now

The deadline runs from moving in

With a shared load, your furniture travels with other consignments on the same route and arrives within a time window. The deadline for registering your address, however, runs from when you yourself move in, not from the later delivery of the furniture – plan your appointment at the authority accordingly.

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DON'T FORGET

Other
deadlines after the move

Residence, car, contracts

Besides registering your residence, there are other obligations and deadlines: a car must be re-registered without delay after the move, insurers and your bank need the new address, and the post office forwards letters with a mail forwarding order for a maximum of six months. With a long-distance move to another city, the same rules apply, just with different authorities. What applies to re-registering a car is explained in the article Re-registering a vehicle: costs and process.

Before the move

Book an appointment at the registration office or check whether registration can be done online. Ask the landlord for the landlord confirmation, ideally at the key handover. That way the deadline is secured before the boxes arrive.

Missed the deadline?

Catch up immediately, do not wait. The authority decides on a fine case by case; anyone who registers late quickly of their own accord is in a better position than someone who only reacts after being asked. Bring all the documents with you.

Car and contracts

Re-register your car without delay at the vehicle registration office at your new place of residence; the number plate can stay. Then inform your insurers, bank, employer and the broadcasting licence fee office of the new address, ideally all in one go.

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FAQ

Questions about forgotten registration

Deadline, consequences, fine, secondary residence, responsibility, documents, online and car – answered briefly.

Under the Federal Registration Act, you have two weeks from moving in to register with the registration authority (§ 17 BMG). This applies to a move within a city just as much as after a long-distance move. So book the appointment before moving day or, where possible, register online. The deadline runs from the day you actually move in.

The obligation to register in Germany: these deadlines apply

Under the Federal Registration Act, anyone who moves into a home must register – within two weeks of moving in with the competent registration authority (§ 17 BMG). This obligation to register applies to the main residence and to secondary residences and covers every move, even within the same city. Anyone who is already registered and only uses a home for up to six months does not have to register or deregister for it (§ 27 (2) BMG).

Especially with a long-distance move, the deadline is easily forgotten because work, nursery or school take priority. So build registration into your moving plan from the start and book the appointment as soon as the moving date is fixed.

Fines for late registration: what it may cost

If the two-week deadline is exceeded, the registration authority can impose a fine. The law only states the upper limit: up to €1,000 (§ 54 BMG). How much is due in an individual case depends on the authority and the circumstances, for example how long the delay lasted and whether you registered late of your own accord. There are no uniform amounts nationwide.

It is best to register straight after the move – in Berlin also online. If you have missed the deadline, catch up immediately. For the move itself, let us support you with a private move, so that there is time left for the authorities.

What does a move in Germany cost?

The price range for a move is wide and depends on many factors. In principle, our prices start at €354 for a 1-room flat, €589 for a 2-room flat, €889 for a 3-room flat and €1,324 for a 4-room flat. Larger properties such as a house or villa are calculated individually. For a long-distance move we charge from €4.15/km. Make use of our free survey to get clarity about your costs.

Understanding moving costs: the most important factors

A key cost factor is always the volume of your household goods. The distance is charged from €4.15/km, while floor and lift can mean additional effort. If a parking restriction zone is needed, this is also included in the price. Separate terms apply to furniture assembly or a shared load.

Our full service for your move

Everything from a single source – for a relaxed move.

Company move: The company move with professional logistics planning.

Home move: The home move with personal service.

Clearance: The clearance for cellars, attics and more.

Furniture transport: The furniture transport with optimum protection.

Move with assembly: The move with assembly for maximum comfort.

Part load: The part load for smaller budgets.

Moving to and from Berlin

We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and handle moves within Berlin as well as to and from Berlin. More under long-distance moves; destinations with their own page can be found in the locations overview.

Authorities & Address Registration

Beste Umzug Redaktion

August 31, 2026

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Landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung): an obligation