Deregister main residence

Anyone who moves out of a flat and does not move into a new flat in Germany must deregister with the registration office within two weeks. This is possible at the earliest one week before moving out. This means that you must deregister whenever you move abroad. You are also obliged to deregister if you give up one of your homes in Germany (e.g. a secondary residence) without moving into a new home at the same time.

However, you do not have to deregister if you move within Germany, i.e. if you move out of one flat and into a new one. In this case, it is sufficient to register with your new municipality. This will inform your former municipality that you have moved.

• § Section 17 (2) of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)

• § Section 23 (5) BMG (fulfilment of the general reporting obligation)
• § Section 24 (1) of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)
• § Section 25 BMG (Obligation of the person obliged to register to co-operate)

If necessary, the registration authority will request in particular the submission of:

• Identity card or passport
• Identity cards of family members, if all are registered on one registration form
• Children's passport or birth certificate (for children who do not have a children's passport)

To deregister, you must complete and sign the officially prescribed deregistration form and hand it in at the registration office. You can be represented by a suitable person when submitting the deregistration form. However, you can also send the deregistration form by post. The deregistration form is available from the registration office. In some municipalities, the deregistration form is also available for download. If the municipality keeps the registration register automatically, you do not need to fill in the deregistration form if you appear in person at the registration office and confirm the accuracy of the data you have provided with your signature on a printout.

Family members who lived in the same flat and are moving with you should use the same deregistration form.

Once you have cancelled your registration, you will receive a confirmation of cancellation for your records.

If someone has several dwellings within the Federal Republic of Germany, one of these dwellings is the main residence. The main residence is the dwelling primarily used.

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The competent authority is the registration office of the local authority or municipality responsible for your home.