Moving from One Town to Another in Germany

Moving within Germany, whether it’s to a neighbouring town or a different state, is a process that involves more than just packing up your belongings and setting up in a new home. German bureaucracy is known for its thoroughness, and to ensure a smooth transition, there are several important steps and considerations to keep in mind. This guide will help you navigate the process, focusing especially on the essential steps of Anmeldung (registration) and Abmeldung (deregistration).

Anmeldung

Registering Your New Residence

In Germany, it is legally required to register your new address at the local residents’ registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt) within two weeks of moving. This process, known as Anmeldung, is crucial for several reasons:

Official Address: It updates your official place of residence, which is important for all official correspondence, including tax documents, voting registration, and government communication.
Documents: The Anmeldung process also updates your address on your identity documents, such as your Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate), which you will need for many bureaucratic processes
Banking and Contracts: Many contracts, like those for mobile phones or banking, require your current address. Failing to update these can lead to complications or missed communications.

Registering at the Local Town Office

If you plan to stay in Germany for longer than 3 months, you will need to register at your local Bürgeramt (Town office).This is called

Abmeldung

Deregistering Your Old Residence

While not always necessary when moving within Germany, Abmeldung might be required in certain situations, such as:

Moving abroad.
Giving up a second residence.

If Abmeldung is needed, inform the registration office of your previous town. This can often be done by mail or, in some places, online. Make sure to keep a copy of your Abmeldebescheinigung (deregistration certificate) as proof of your former residence status.

Additional

Bureaucratic Considerations

Beyond registration, there are other important bureaucratic tasks to consider:

Updating Vehicle Registration: If you own a car, you need to update your vehicle registration and driver’s license address. This typically involves visiting the local vehicle registration office (Kfz-Zulassungsstelle).
Informing Utilities and Service Providers: Notify your utility providers (electricity, gas, water) and other service providers (internet, phone, insurance) about your move to ensure a seamless transition of services. This is also the time to update your mailing address for any subscriptions or memberships.
Changing Schools: If you have children, you will need to transfer them to a new school. The requirements and procedures can vary depending on the federal state (Bundesland), so it’s best to check with both the old and new schools for specific instructions.
Updating Your Employer: Don’t forget to inform your employer of your new address to ensure payroll and any necessary tax adjustments are correctly handled.
Health Insurance and Medical Records: Ensure that your health insurance provider is informed of your new address. Additionally, consider transferring your medical records to a new doctor, especially if you are moving to a different town or city where your current doctor does not practice.
Pension Funds: Your yearly statements are sent to your physical address
GEZ Rundfunkbeitrag: moving does not automatically cancel your broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag). Even if you change your address at the registration office, it is still your responsibility to inform the GEZ. Failing to do so may result in double payments or reminders.

Financial

Questions to ask yourself

How much money should I budget for moving?
What insurance do I need for transporting my belongings?
Do I need to adjust my insurance needs for my new home?
What deposits do I need to pay for my new home or utilities?
When can I expect to get my deposit back from my previous landlord
Do I need to do maintenance before moving out, for example paint the walls?

Residence

Ausländerbehorde

You must notify the Ausländerbehörde of your move, as your residence permit is tied to your registered address.
Depending on your permit type (e.g., Blue Card, standard work visa, student visa), additional requirements may apply.
For instance, if you hold a Blue Card and change jobs within the first two years (check the Zusatzblatt) , you must obtain approval from the Ausländerbehörde before starting a new position.
The immigration office will review whether the new job still meets the Blue Card requirements. If it does not, you may need to apply for a different type of residence permit, provided you meet the necessary criteria.

If you are unsure what applies to your situation, contact the Ausländerbehörde and ask for guidance.

Where to find help

For a smooth and stress-free moving experience, consider enlisting the help of professional moving companies or local *Umzugshelfer* (moving helpers), who can assist with packing, transporting, and unpacking your belongings. Additionally, friends and family can be invaluable for support during this transition. If you’re looking for more affordable options, consider hiring students or individuals offering their services as mini-jobbers, who often advertise on platforms for short-term work. You can find more information on our Minijobs and Hired Help page.

Minijobs and hired help

Are you looking for services like cleaning, someone to look after the kids or help out with the gardening?The sites we list here are currently

Doing it yourself

Transport
If you choose to handle the move yourself or with the assistance of friends, you can rent a moving van (Transporter). You can also rent a van with a driver.
Below is a list of companies that provide rental services for moving vehicles.
Don’t forget to show your appreciation to your friends with a braai and some beers as a thank-you for their help!

Packing:
You can buy Umzugkartons online at shops like Amazon, OBI etc. or at your local Hardware store. If you dont mind using second hand boxes, you can go ask at Grocery stores if you can have some of their boxes that they usually throw in the recycle bins.

Utilities

You may be able to continue with the same service provider, but it's important to confirm this. If they do not offer services at your new address, be sure to cancel your utilities account ahead of time.

mail delivery

The German Postal services have a "Nachsendeservice" that you can use to reroute your physical mail to your new address

Certificates

You will need a new Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung from your new landlord, which is required for your Anmeldung.

photos

On your last day, be sure to take photos of all the utility readings. Also do this when moving in on your first day

Door sign

When moving out, don’t forget to remove your name from the doorbell or mailbox. At your new home, be sure to add your name to the doorbell and mailbox to ensure you receive your mail and packages.

Info on the web

Here are some helpful websites

Housing in Germany

Types of Housing Wohnung / Apartment/Flat. Standard residential unit, typically part of a larger building. Atlbauwohnung – An old building, that might be protected. An

Beds, Mattresses and Duvets

The sleeping arrangements in Germany is a bit different from what we are used to in South Africa. The average German couple sleeps on a

Finding a place to stay

Finding a place to rent Finding a place to rent is almost like doing a job interview. You have to “advertise” yourself and you will

This is a general guide to waste disposal and recycling. Some rules may differ from town to town, for example, the collection of bulky waste, so always make sure about the rules that apply in your town.
You can search for “abfallkalender” or “müllkalender” and your town and hopefully find an online pickup calendar.

Bio-Waste / Biotonne

Be considerate about what you put into the bio-waste, as it will be used for compost.
The following is allowed in the bio bin:

Vegetable, fruit and salad leftovers
Solid leftovers in small quantities (bread leftovers, pasta, salads, etc.)
Coffee grounds, tea residue with filter and bag
Household paper, crumpled paper (uncoated), egg cartons
Flower and plant debris, garden and green waste
Withered flowers, weeds, plant debris, tree and hedge trimming, leaves, grass clippings
Leftovers from flower pots and balcony boxes

The following is not allowed in the bio bin:

Liquid leftovers (soups, sauces, milk), edible oils and fats, bones
Cigarette butts, ash, rubber, cork, textiles, leather, medicines, cosmetics
Clay, stones, ceramics and porcelain
Street sweepings, contents of vacuum cleaner bags
Pet litter, dead animals, faeces, diapers and sanitary items
Plastic bags (not biodegradable/compostable either!)

See this infographic for more information, also Was darf in die Biotonne und was nicht

Yellow Bin /Gelber Sack

The yellow bins are for general packaging not made of paper, cardboard or glass. See this Infographic for more information. Milk cartons go into the yellow bin. Yellow bags can be picked up at the Town Hall, some towns also deliver them once a year. Find out from the Bürgerdienste in your town what applies to you.

Waste paper /Altpapier

The blue Altpapier bins are for cardboard boxes and corrugated cardboard, Newspapers, magazines, catalogues, prospectuses, Notepads, computer paper, pocketbooks, and Shredder paper (packed separately in a transparent plastic bag).
You are not allowed to throw hardcover books, file folders, thermal paper, carbon paper, old wallpaper, wet cardboard boxes, transport packaging of commercial enterprises in these bins

Residual waste /Restmüll

Household waste that is not recyclable. Items like paper, bottles, organic waste excavated earth, rubble and dangerous goods do not belong in the residual waste bin.

Small Electrical equipment

Not allowed in the residual waste bin (Restmüll).
These are devices no larger than 25 cm, for example, mobile phones, remote controls and toasters
Small electrical equipment can be handed it free of charge at the Municipal collection points (Werstoffhöfen or Schadstoffmobil). Local shops selling electrical devices must also take back small electrical equipment, free of charge.
From July 1, 2022, this obligation to take back old devices free of charge also applies to food retailers (e.g. supermarkets and food discounters) with a total sales area of at least 800 square meters who offer electrical and electronic devices several times a calendar year or permanently and make them available on the market. It doesn’t matter where the old devices were originally bought and there is no need to buy a new device.

Big Electrical devices

Not allowed in the residual waste bin (Restmüll)
If the used electrical device is larger than 25 centimetres (e.g. washing machine, television, printer), the dealer is obliged to take it back free of charge when buying a new device of the same type. If you have a new device delivered (to your home), the retailer must inform you when concluding the purchase contract about the possibility of returning the old device free of charge and picking up the old device free of charge and ask you about your intention to receive an old device in return when the new device is delivered should be taken away.

Batteries / Akkus und Batterien

Not allowed in the residual waste bin (Restmüll)
You can hand in old batteries free of charge at shops that sells these items. There should be a collection point. You can also hand them in at most Recycling centres. Also see information from the Umwelt Bundesamt

Dangerous goods

Not allowed in the residual waste bin (Restmüll)
Typical items are Energy-saving lamps, LED lamps, fluorescent tubes, paint, engine oil, thinners, spray cans and all kinds of chemicals.
Toxic waste can either be handed in at the disposal company’s hazardous waste collection vehicle or at one of the recycling centres.
Some cities offer a collection service, but only for normal household quantities and under strict rules. Here is an example for Stuttgart

Bulky waste / Sperrmüll

Not allowed in the residual waste bin (Restmüll)
Bulky waste is residual waste that is too large for the residual waste bin, such as tables, beds, mattresses, etc.
Most towns offer a collections service, but either once a year or against payment. You can also self-deliver to a disposal system. As an example here is information for Esslingen

Medicine / Altmedikamente

Unused tablets, capsules, ointments, juices or drops belong in the residual waste bin. Please put these in a bag and make sure children cannot get hold of it while it inside the bin. You can also take it to participating pharmacies.
Never throw it down the toilet or drain

Building refuse / Renovierungsabfälle

See dangerous goods for paint, thinners, brush cleaners and other chemicals.
Wallpaper, wallpaper paste, and dried paint can be thrown into the Residual waste bin.
Items like doors, bathroom sink and other items, and windows are to be disposed of at the disposal station (Entsorgunsstation). This is not a free service

Deposit / Pfand

Refundable plastic bottles, cans and glass bottles can be deposited at Supermarkets with a “Pfandstation” You will receive a voucher that you can use inside the shop. The refund amounts can be found here

	Look for the “Einweg” logo on beverage cans and bottles made of PET plastic, such as mineral water bottles Bottles with this logo are not reusable bottles, but are only filled once and are recycled.
	The logo can be found on PET and glass bottles. The bottles are cleaned and refilled. Typically glass beer bottles

Glass

Non-refundable glass (like glass jars and wine bottles) must be recycled in the appropriate glass bins. Please remove the lids and corks. There are separate bins for the different colours of glass for example Brown, white and green glass.
These bins are placed at various points and some apartment buildings have their own bins.
Please respect the quiet times as breaking glass makes a lot of noise

Resources on the web

City of Stuttgart Abfall-Arten
Abfall ABC – Search by product
Infographic what belongs where
Verbraucherzentrale – Schadstoffe

Not all items are free to dispose of, for some items you will have to pay a small fee. There is usually a limit of times you can dispose of items for free during a calendar year. You will therefore have to identify yourself with your ID or residence card.

Disposing items at a Recycling centre /Recylinghof

You can dispose of wooden furniture, electronic appliances, garden refuge, and other bulky waste items at the Recylinghof in your town. Proper disposal of certain items may come with a fee to cover the costs of safe and environmentally-friendly removal. There may also be a limit to how many times you can dispose of items for free in a year. To access these services, you’ll need to show your ID or residence card. This ensures responsible and fair use of the waste management facilities.
To find a Recyclinghof near you search for “Recyclinghof” or “sperrmüll” + your town/area.
Inform yourself beforehand of the opening times and fee structures.
Most towns also offer a free “Spermüllabholung” once a year. You can organise to have your bulky items picked up by the city. For more information contact your local authorities.