Register an Apartment

Sole Residence

If residents have only one residence in Germany (96% of all cases), this is referred to in the terminology of registration law as a “sole residence”—and not, for example, a “primary residence.” However, the legal meaning of a “sole residence” is identical to that of a “primary residence.”

Primary Residence

If residents have residences in multiple German municipalities, the residence used most frequently is the primary residence. The other residences are secondary residences.

Secondary Residence

All other residences in Germany that have not been designated as the primary residence by the registration authority are secondary residences. The registration requirement also applies to secondary residences.

Determining the Primary Residence

Registration law distinguishes between the determination of the primary residence for the following groups of people:

• Single residents (unmarried, divorced, widowed, or married individuals who are permanently separated or whose spouse resides abroad): The primary residence of single residents is the residence used most of the time.
• Married residents (provided they are not permanently separated and both live in the country): The primary residence of married residents is the family’s residence that is used most of the time (family residence). If there is no family residence (i.e., the spouses or children are not jointly registered at any residence), the primary residence is the residence used most of the time by the respective spouse in question.
• Minors (under 18 years of age): The primary residence of minors is the residence of their legal guardians that is used most frequently.
• People with disabilities in residential facilities: For adults with disabilities who are housed in a residential facility, the primary residence remains the residence of their previous legal guardians until they reach the age of 27, upon the person with a disability’s request.

Primary Use

Predominant use of a residence is presumed to be where the resident (or, in the case of married couples, where the family) spends the majority of their time. To determine this, the estimated number of days spent at each residence over the next 12 months must be calculated and compared (forecast).

The registration authority verifies whether the statements regarding predominant use are credible (plausibility check). In this context, the distance between the specified places of residence, the usual travel time between them, and the frequency of trips home are of significant importance.

Cases of Doubt

Only if the residence that is predominantly used over time cannot be objectively determined beyond a reasonable doubt, or if a comparison of the periods of use reveals only minor differences (up to about one month), is the municipality in which, according to the residents’ declaration, the center of their life is located generally decisive for determining the primary residence.

New Federal Registration Act (BMG) effective November 1, 2015

The new BMG establishes uniform federal regulations for the first time. Here are the most important changes:

Registration of a Residence

• The general registration requirement remains in effect. Anyone moving into a residence must register with the registration office at their new place of residence. However, the deadline for registration is extended from one to two weeks after moving in.

The following exceptions to the registration requirement are newly included in the Federal Registration Act

• Anyone currently registered with a registration office in Germany who moves into another residence for a stay not exceeding six months is not required to register for that additional residence. After the six-month period expires, registration must be completed within two weeks if the residence is actually still being used.
• Tourists who normally reside abroad and are not registered in Germany are required to register after three months.
• As long as citizens are currently registered with a registration authority in Germany, they generally do not need to register if they are admitted to or move into hospitals, nursing homes, or other facilities that provide care for people in need of care or with disabilities, or that provide residential education.

Landlord Confirmation Always Required

The landlord’s obligation to cooperate with the registration process is being reinstated. Landlords must confirm the tenant’s move-in in writing. The lease agreement alone is not sufficient. Landlords are legally required to confirm the tenant’s move-in in writing. The landlord’s confirmation must be submitted to the registration authority at the time of registration.

• Landlord: A landlord is anyone who actually makes a residence available to another person for use, regardless of whether this is based on a valid legal relationship. The landlord is generally the owner who rents out the residence. However, the landlord may also be a person or entity authorized by the owner to rent out the apartment. For example, housing associations may be the owners and issue the landlord’s confirmation through authorized employees. Property management companies may also act as agents on behalf of the owner.
• Landlord in a Sublease Arrangement: For individuals living in a sublet, the primary tenant may be the landlord. The primary tenant may also be the landlord if part of a residence is made available to a third party for actual use without compensation or merely in exchange for reimbursement of expenses. Please note that some property owners/landlords only permit subletting with their consent. In such cases, the property owner issues the landlord’s confirmation. Please check with your property owner/landlord regarding this.
• Owner as Landlord: If the owner occupies the residence personally, the confirmation is provided as a self-declaration by the person required to register. As proof of ownership, an extract from the land registry or a notarized deed of ownership must be submitted. For family members who move into the residence and are not registered as owners, a landlord’s confirmation must be issued.

Application

Registering Your Primary Residence Online

You can conveniently register your primary residence in Jena online. To do so, you’ll need the online ID function of a valid ID card or eID card, as well as an NFC-enabled device to read the ID card (such as a smartphone). You will receive the address sticker for your national ID card and, if applicable, your passport by mail. The registration confirmation will be made available to you online.

Explanatory video on electronic residence registration (primary residence):

Requirements for using electronic residence registration:

Electronic registration and change of registration for a primary residence is currently only possible when moving within Germany. In addition to individual registrations, family registrations are also possible. The requirement is that all individuals are already linked in the residence registry and are moving together from one residence within Germany to a new one. This applies to married and registered partners as well as their minor children.

To do this, you will need:

• a valid national ID card or an eID card and the corresponding 6-digit PIN for the online ID function
• a BundID account and the latest version of the AusweisApp (download link)
• a smartphone with an NFC interface or a PC with a card reader

Here’s how it works: 

1. Use the online ID function of your ID card or your eID card.
2. Log in with yourBundID accountat Electronic Residence Registration.
3. Fill out the online form and upload any required documents. If you do not own the apartment, upload your landlord’s confirmation (see downloadable form).
4. The registration office will verify your information and notify you by email.
5. Return to the online service and retrieve your registration confirmation. Then update the address on the chip of your ID document with the online ID function enabled.
6. Once your application has been processed successfully, you will receive the address sticker for your ID card or passport by mail. You can easily affix it. That’s all there is to it.

Information about BundID (nationwide user account for public administration services):

Vehicle and Resident Parking Permit for Primary Residence:

You can updateyour vehicle registration documents online (i-Kfz)as required when changing your primary residence . If you’ve moved to an area that requires a resident parking permit, you can apply for one online.

Register a Secondary Residence Online

You can conveniently registera secondary residence in Jena online. You do not need an online ID function to do this. The registration confirmation will be mailed to you.

In-Person Visit

By scheduling an appointment, you can apply in person at the Citizen Service Center to register a primary residence, secondary residence, or sole residence.

• Valid identification document (ID card and/or passport)
• Most recent civil registry certificate (birth or marriage certificate) if the identification document is invalid
• Landlord’s confirmation (see Downloads ); 
  If you are the owner of the apartment or house you are moving into, a landlord’s confirmation is not required. To register or change your registration, you must submit proof of ownership in the form of a land registry extract or a notarized deed of ownership.
• Minor children: To register minor children, single parents or unmarried parents must submit proof of legal custody. In cases of joint custody, a declaration of consent and a copy of the identification card or passport of the other custodial parent are required. 
• When registering a residence for individuals from abroad, all previous and current civil status documents must be submitted.
  If identity documents or certificates are available only in a non-Latin script, a translation into the Latin script must be provided. In addition, the documents should be written in English or German; otherwise, please submit a translation.
• If applicable, a power of attorney for changing the address of the spouse and adult children, as well as their original identification documents, must be provided
• If applicable, Part I of the Vehicle Registration Certificate (or the vehicle title and registration card, if an old fold-out document is still available instead of the new Part II Vehicle Registration Certificate in A4 format) as well as the certificate of the currently valid general inspection (original) for updating the address in the vehicle documents

• Federal Registration Act (BMG)