GERMANY – Federal Registration Act Amends Former Registration Requirements
Former state residence registration laws have been replaced by new regulations and deadlines under the Federal Registration Act that took effect on November 1, 2015. The act requires residents to register at the appropriate local town hall within two weeks of taking up residence in Germany and to de-register their residence within two weeks of departing. Furthermore, residents must also provide a confirmation letter from their landlord when registering their residence. Those who do not comply with the registration guidelines may be subject to administrative fines.
Short-term residents living in Germany for less than three months are exempt from these registration requirements as long as they maintain a residence abroad. However, non-visa foreign nationals seeking a work permit, may still benefit from registering their residence in order to collect their work permit at an appointment with the local immigration office.