When you move into a new apartment, you must change your address. It's not automatic. This guide shows you how to do it.
Put your name on the mailbox
German apartment buildings rarely have individual apartment numbers. You have the same address as everyone in your building. If your name is not on your mailbox, you won't get mail addressed to you.[^23] You must add "c/o" or "bei" to your address.
How to put your name on the mailbox ➞
Learn to write your new address
German addresses are a little different. Learn to write yours correctly.
How to address letters in Germany ➞
Register your address
Register your address at the Bürgeramt. This is called the Anmeldung.
How to register your address ➞
The Bürgeramt will tell other people your new address:
- Your church
If you pay the church tax, your church will know about your address change. - The TV tax (Rundfunkbeitrag)
The ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice knows when you change your address. They will collect the TV tax for your new address. - The Ausländerbehörde
Bring your residence permit to your Anmeldung appointment. They will put a sticker on it with your new address. You don't need to go to the Ausländerbehörde to update your residence permit. - The Kfz-Zulassungsstelle
Bring your vehicle registration papers to your Anmeldung appointment. They will put a sticker on them with your new address. It costs 10.80€ per vehicle.
Notify everyone
Use umziehen.de to tell over 1000 companies your new address. It's a free service from Deutsche Post. They only share your new address with businesses that already know your old address.
You should also tell…
- Your bank
You can change your address on your bank's online portal, or by asking your financial advisor. - Your car/home insurance
If you have vehicle or home insurance, tell your insurer about your address change. You can usually do it on their website. You can also contact your insurance broker. - Your health insurance You can change your address on your health insurer's online portal, or by asking your insurance broker.
- The Finanzamt
- If you have a business
If you use your home address as your business address, tell the Finanzamt about your address change.2 Fill the Änderung der Adresse form in ELSTER, or ask your tax advisor to do it. If your new address is served by a different Finanzamt, you will get a new Steuernummer.1 - If you have a dog
Tell the Finanzamt about your address change. This is because you must pay a dog tax (Hundesteuer). This guide shows you how to change your address. You must also change your address in the dog registry (Hunderegister). How to register your dog in Berlin.
- If you have a business
- The TV tax (Rundfunkbeitrag)
The ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice collects the TV tax. You can update your address here. More information about the TV tax. - The Kfz-Zulassungsstelle
If you have a vehicle, you must update your registration papers. You can do this at the local Kfz-Zulassungsstelle or online. You will receive a new Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil 1.3 - The Kita-Gutscheinstelle
If you send your children to a Kita, request a Kitagutschein for your new address. - The Ordnungsamt
If you have a dog from a dangerous breed (pit-bull, American Staffordshire terrier, bullterrier), you must register it at the Ordnungsamt every time you move. If you live in Berlin, start here. - The Hunderegister
If you have a dog, you should update their address in the Hunderegister. - Your website
If you have a commercial website, update your Impressum with your new address.
Forward your mail
Deutsche Post has a mail forwarding service. If you get mail at your old address, they will send it to your new address. It costs less than 30€ per year. It only works for Deutsche Post and DHL mail. It does not work for other delivery services.