Deregistering your address in Germany

Abmeldung einer Wohnung: Abmeldung means telling the registration office (Meldebehörde) that you have moved out. It is only required if you do not move into a new dwelling in Germany, for example when you leave the country.

Nationwide rules verified on 13 Nov 2026. Responsible: your city (municipal office).

If you move out of a dwelling and do not take up a new one in Germany, federal law requires you to deregister within two weeks of moving out. You can deregister at the earliest one week before moving out. When you move within Germany, registering at the new address is enough.

Who:Anyone who moves out of a dwelling and does not move into a new dwelling in Germany (for example, when leaving Germany). For children under 16, the person from whose dwelling the child moves out deregisters them.

Deadline

Within two weeks after moving out; possible at the earliest one week before moving out (innerhalb von zwei Wochen nach dem Auszug ... Eine Abmeldung ist frühestens eine Woche vor Auszug möglich) § 17 Abs. 2 BMG · Source: gesetze-im-internet.de · as of 13 Nov 2026

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Steps

1. Deregister with the registration office within two weeks after moving out (at the earliest one week before). The register is updated to your move-out date. (die Fortschreibung des Melderegisters erfolgt zum Datum des Auszugs) § 17 Abs. 2 BMG · Source: gesetze-im-internet.de · as of 13 Nov 2026
2. If you are moving abroad, you can deregister in writing or electronically. For electronic deregistration, identity can also be shown by giving your surname, first names, date of birth and the serial number of the ID card or passport last stored in the register. (Die Abmeldung in das Ausland kann schriftlich oder ... elektronisch erfolgen.) § 23 Abs. 6 BMG · Source: gesetze-im-internet.de · as of 13 Nov 2026

Good to know

• Not deregistering, or deregistering late, is an administrative offence that can be fined up to 1,000 euros. (wer vorsätzlich oder fahrlässig ... entgegen § 17 Absatz 2 Satz 1 sich nicht oder nicht rechtzeitig abmeldet ... mit einer Geldbuße bis zu tausend Euro) § 54 Abs. 2 Nr. 2, Abs. 3 BMG · Source: gesetze-im-internet.de · as of 13 Nov 2026
• If you move to a new dwelling in Germany, there is no separate deregistration duty under § 17 Abs. 2 BMG; you register at the new address instead. (Wer aus einer Wohnung auszieht und keine neue Wohnung im Inland bezieht, hat sich ... abzumelden.) § 17 Abs. 1 und 2 BMG · Source: gesetze-im-internet.de · as of 13 Nov 2026

Legal basis

• § 17 Abs. 2 BMG: Duty to deregister within two weeks when moving out without taking a new dwelling in Germany
• § 23 Abs. 6 BMG: Deregistration when moving abroad can be done in writing or electronically
• § 54 BMG: Not deregistering, or deregistering late, can be fined up to 1,000 euros

German terms

Abmeldung

Deregistering your address with the registration office

Auszug

Moving out

Meldebehörde

Registration office

Melderegister

Population register kept by the registration office

Inland / Ausland

Within Germany / abroad

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