A deregistration (Abmeldung) means you officially tell an office or organisation that something is ending. Most of the time, it is about your home. If you move away from Germany, you deregister your address at the registration office. But the word is used in other areas too. For example, you deregister a car, an electricity meter or a child at daycare (Kita). The opposite is residence registration (Anmeldung).
Where you will come across the word
- Citizens' office or residents' registration office (Bürgeramt or Einwohnermeldeamt): This is where you deregister your address if you move abroad. You can also deregister a second home (Nebenwohnung) here. If you move within Germany, registering at your new place is usually enough. Your deregistration at the old place then happens automatically.
- Vehicle registration office (Zulassungsstelle): If you no longer drive a car, it is deregistered. The official term for this is “decommissioning” (Außerbetriebsetzung).
- Broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag): If you leave Germany, you can cancel your registration for the broadcasting fee.
- Electricity and gas: When you move out, you cancel your electricity and gas and give the meter reading.
- Work and business: Your employer deregisters you from social insurance when your job ends. Self-employed people deregister their business (Gewerbe) at the trade office (Gewerbeamt).
- School, daycare, clubs: The word Abmeldung is used here too.
What you should do
- Check whether you need to deregister. If you move abroad, deregistering at the registration office is mandatory. If you move within Germany, you usually only register at your new address.
- Keep the deadline in mind. You must deregister at the office within two weeks after moving out. You can also deregister up to about one week before you move out.
- Fill in the form. It is usually called “Deregistration with the registration authority” (Abmeldung bei der Meldebehörde). You can get it at the citizens' office or on your city's website. In some cities, you can also deregister online or by post. This differs from city to city.
- Bring your passport or national ID card (Personalausweis) if you go to the office in person.
- Keep your deregistration certificate (Abmeldebestätigung) in a safe place. Other organisations often want to see it, for example for the broadcasting fee, at your bank or at your health insurance.
- Remember your contracts. Deregistering at the office does not end any contracts. You have to cancel your mobile phone, internet, insurance and rental contracts yourself.
If you miss the deadline, you may have to pay a fine. If in doubt, ask the citizens' office directly.
Examples
- “Please send us a copy of your deregistration certificate.”
- “I'm moving to Spain next month. Where can I deregister?”
- “Your vehicle has been deregistered at the vehicle registration office.”
Related terms
- Anmeldung: You tell the office that you live in a new home.
- Change of address (Ummeldung): You move within Germany and register your new address.
- Abmeldebestätigung: This is the document that shows you have deregistered.
- Cancellation (Kündigung): You end a contract, for example for your flat, mobile phone or internet.
- Außerbetriebsetzung: This is the official word for deregistering a car.