As a newcomer, the Anmeldung process can be a lot to handle, which is why we’ve put together this English Anmeldung guide for Stuttgart to show you exactly how to complete it, step by step.
The Anmeldung is a word you will quickly become familiar with once you step foot on German soil. It is one of the most important administrative processes for anyone moving to and living in Germany. It involves registering your current address with the local authority by taking a trip down to your nearest Bürgerbüro or citizen’s office with a stack of paperwork in hand. As a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to get your Anmeldung date within the first two weeks of arriving in Stuttgart, even if the actual appointment isn’t for a few weeks. If you wait longer, there’s a chance you might receive a fine from the government (although this rule isn’t so strictly enforced).
Once you finish your Anmeldung, you will be handed a Meldebescheinigung, or residence registration certificate. It can’t be stressed enough how important this document is, so you’ll want to keep it safe and make a few extra copies. You’ll need your Meldebescheinigung for any number of German bureaucratic tasks, such as opening a bank account, setting up health insurance, getting a phone number, enrolling in university, and more.
When it comes to German bureaucracy there are two constants – in-person visits and a long list of required documents. The same is true for the Anmeldung. In order to do your Anmeldung in Stuttgart, you need to bring the following with you:
The following people might be asked for additional documents:
While the city of Stuttgart does allow you to register online (very uncommon in Germany), only people with an electronic Ausweis (identification) are able to do so. This basically means only German citizens, so we recommend skipping this part altogether.
To arrange an appointment over the phone or via email, however, follow these steps:
After completing the booking, you will receive an appointment number via email. Bring this number, along with all of the necessary documents with you to the Bürgerbüro.
Just like in the rest of Germany, there is a huge demand for Anmeldung appointments in Stuttgart. This means you might not get an appointment for at least a few weeks, which is a problem if you have something that you need to urgently sort out at the Bürgerbüro.
If you find yourself in this situation, try calling a few of your nearest Bürgerbüros at 8 am and see if any new appointments are available. Many people cancel appointments last minute and you can often find open appointment slots first thing in the morning.
Arrive at the customer service center on time with all the necessary documents. A few things to keep in mind:
Yes. To register your new address, you have to attend a physical appointment at a Bürgerbüro. Unless you’re a German citizen with an electronic identification, you can’t do your Anmeldung for Stuttgart online.
You won’t be able to open up a German bank account, get a mobile phone contract, get your Tax ID, and more. At some point, you will have to register your address, and when that happens there’s a slight chance you will get fined for having not registered previously.
Yes. If you’re renting a room or simply living in a sublet, you will need confirmation from your landlord/lady to show that they are aware of the sublet. This form is called the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung.
Hope this small guide was useful to you. Feel free to reach out for more info.