How to register yourself after you arrive in Germany? Everything You need to know

Before moving into Germany, it is important to know about How to register yourself after you arrive in Germany. Studying in Germany is really exciting, but the first few days in Germany are very challenging for students. Students have to do some administrative formalities to register after they have arrived in Germany.

How to register yourself after you arrive in Germany

By law, students have to register within 14 days after they have arrived in Germany. If a student doesn’t have a fixed address, registering can be difficult as one of the documents is required to register is confirmation of residence signed by the landlord. In some municipalities, it is possible to have this filled out by the owner of temporary accommodation. But usually, they will unable to register without a rental contract.

• Registration Confirmation at Registration Office:

As soon as students have found accommodation in Germany, they have to register with the local resident’s registration office which is also known as Einwohnermeldeamt.In some cities, it is also known as Bürgerbüro or Bezirksamt. Depending on the local resident’s registration office, students have to register within one or two weeks or they have to pay an administrative fine which is called Bußgeld. Sometimes it is really difficult to get an appointment within one or two weeks but it is important to book an appointment as required within one or two weeks.

•  Document of Confirmation of Registration:

It is really important to keep the document of confirmation of registration. Students will get a registration confirmation from the resident’s registration after register with them. Students will need it when they have to apply for a residence permit at the foreigners’ registration office. If a student moves to another city or locality, he has to register again with the local residents‘ registration office there.

• Church tax (Kirchensteuer):

Students will be asked at the registration office whether they belong to a religious denomination. If a student identifies him as either Protestant or Catholic, he has to pay a church tax of between eight and nine percent of his annual income tax. To avoid this tax, students have to register themselves as “without religion”.

• Proof of Wohnungsgeberbestätigung:

After renting a room, students have to ask their landlord for proof of residence which is called Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. Since November 2015, the federal government has made it mandatory for landlords to corporate with the registration office by providing proof of residence.

• Documents Require for Residence Registration in Germany:

1. Valid Passport including Visa (if needed)
2. Biometric Passport  Photograph (34X35 mm)
3. Signed Registration Form
4. Certificate of enrollment of the university (for international students)
5. Certificate of Health Insurance
6. Proof of Financial Resources

• Cost of Registration:

Generally, registering at the resident’s registration office is free of cost.

• Residence Permit:

If a student comes from the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland, he does not need any residence permit. He has to provide proof of health insurance and financial resources to the resident’s registration office. If a student is not a citizen of one of the above countries and he would like to stay in Germany for his studies, he also has to go to the foreigners’ registration office in the city where he is studying. The Residence Permit is issued in the form of “electronic residence title“ which is also known as ”elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel”. After four to six weeks, students can pick their residence permit from the office. It is initially issued for two years and it can be extended.

• Consequence of not registering:

Registering is mandatory for living in Germany. If a student does not register at right time, he has to pay 1,000 Euros.

It is really important to remember the deadlines when registering and applying for a residence permit. It is always better to keep more documents when registering. It will save students from unnecessary delays.