How to do the Anmeldung in Frankfurt – English guide

First time doing your Anmeldung in Frankfurt? If so, you might still be a little lost on the exact details of registering your address in your city. This guide tells you what you need to know.

What is the Anmeldung in Germany?

The Anmeldung is one of the most important administrative steps for anyone moving to Germany. It is the process of registering your current address with the local authorities and generally is handled in person at the nearest Bürgeramt or citizen’s office to your place of residence. The German government expects you to at least make an appointment for your Anmeldung within your first two weeks of arriving in Frankfurt. Although this rule isn’t strictly enforced, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Once you have done your Anmeldung, you will be given a residence registration certificate called a Meldebescheinigung. Once you get this seemingly innocent piece of paper, make a few copies and store it somewhere safe – it’s extremely important. An Meldebescheinigung is a requirement for opening a bank account, getting German health insurance, applying for a residence permit, enrolling in university, getting a mobile phone number and obtaining a tax ID number.

This registration process can be an anxious experience for anyone moving to Germany. This is why we’ve put together this English Anmeldung guide for Frankfurt if you can’t speak German yet.


What must I bring with me for my Anmeldung in Frankfurt?

As you will discover with every encounter with German bureaucracy, there is always a long list of documents that you need to bring with you. The Anmeldung is no exception. Before you leave your home, make sure you print these documents and bring them with you to the appointment:

  • Registration form or Meldeschein – Filled out and signed.
    This form contains all of your personal details, address details, document details, etc. You can find this form here, or you can use Appmeldung to completely fill in the Frankfurt Anmeldung form in English. Click to register one person in Frankfurt. Click here to register two persons.

  • Confirmation form from landlord or lady, or Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. This document is a statement from your landlord that you have moved in at the address. In the case of sublet or flatshare, the main tenant can also fill this in. You can find this form online here, and an English guide here.

  • Official photo identification for every registering person – either an identification card or passport.

  • Unlike some other German cities, registering your address in Frankfurt is free of charge, so don’t worry about bringing any cash.

The following people might be asked for additional documents:

  • Married or partnered couples will be asked for their original marriage certificate.
  • Divorcees will be asked for their original divorce decree.
  • Widowed persons will be asked to produce their original spouse’s death certificate.
  • Holders of an electronic residence permit (eAT) will need to show their residence permit.
  • People who are in Germany on a visa must bring their residence permit.
  • People in care must bring a supervisor’s identity card


Booking an Anmeldung appointment in Frankfurt

You can book an appointment online at any citizen’s office, or Bürgeramt, by following these steps:

  • Follow this link.
  • Click the dropdown box to the right of Anmeldung einer Wohnung, and select the number of people you want to register.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Termin Vereinbaren.
  • The next page details the documents you need (which we discussed above), check the box at the bottom of the page and click Bestätigen und weiter zur Terminauswahl.
  • Select the Bürgeramt you would like to visit on the map.
  • Choose a free date using the calendar on the left. Days on which appointments are still available are white, days that are fully booked or not yet bookable are gray. If you don’t see an available date, check back in at a later time as one might free up.
  • Next, fill in all the required details.

Once you have completed the booking, you will receive an appointment number via email. Bring this number, along with all of the necessary documents with you to the Bürgeramt.

Getting an appointment Fast

In Frankfurt, as in the rest of Germany, there’s a massive demand for Anmeldung appointments, which means you probably won’t get an appointment for a few weeks. This can be problematic if you urgently need an appointment in the next day or two. There are a few hacks to get around this:

  • Check the booking system at 8 am. Many people cancel appointments last minute and you can find open appointment slots first thing in the morning. Keep refreshing the page, or use a browser extension that can detect changes on the page
  • Call and see if any spots are available. Frankfurt has a dedicated hotline to handle appointments. Call 069 115 and see if someone can accommodate you.

Attending the appointment

Arrive at the customer service center on time with all the necessary documents. A few things to keep in mind:

  • During the Anmeldung process, you’ll be asked to state your religion. Officially, it’s a good idea to say that you’re not religious at all, as the faithful get slapped with a German church tax of between 8% and 9% of their income. Appmeldung opts you out of this.
  • If you moved to Frankfurt to work, it’s a good idea to mention it during the appointment so that the city worker can request a German tax ID for you.
  • City workers are obliged to do your Anmeldung process in German even if they can speak English. It’s just for liability purposes in case something gets mistranslated. If the language barrier makes you uncomfortable, you can bring someone with you to help translate.


Anmeldung in Frankfurt in English – FAQ

Do I have to go in person?

Yes. To register your new address, it is mandatory to attend a physical appointment at a Bürgeramt. You can’t do your Anmeldung online.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes. You can arrange an appointment with your local Bürgeramt by phone, in person, or online.

Can I register as a subtenant?

Yes. For this, you need a landlord/lady confirmation form or Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. This shows that the landlord/lady is aware of the sublet.

Guide written byBastien Allibert | helping people relocate to Germany since 2011.
Who is this forNewcomers in Frankfurt that still struggle with German.
What can Appmeldung do for youFill in your Anmeldung form for free in English online.

Hope this small guide was useful to you. Feel free to reach out for more info.

Bastien
Editor at SiB since 2011
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