Abmeldung Berlin: How to Deregister in Germany
This page details where, when and how to deregister from an address in Berlin, a process known as Abmeldung. From booking an appointment to completing the correct paperwork, this guide aims to ensure your Abmeldung in Berlin goes smoothly.
If you are reading this, it is likely that you are looking to leave Germany. Similarly to when you arrived in Germany, there are some key bureaucratic steps you need to complete in order to have a smooth ‘exit’ from life in Berlin…
The most important of these is the Abmeldung process. In short, this is the formal process of deregistering from a specific address in Berlin to confirm that you no longer live there. Put simply, it is the opposite of the Anmeldung (address registration) process that you completed on arrival in Berlin.
When do you need to deregister?
If you are leaving Germany on a non-temporary basis and will no longer be maintaining an address in the country, then you must complete your Abmeldung.
As specified by the Berlin authorities:
The earliest you can deregister is 7 days prior to leaving your apartment.
The latest you can deregister is 14 days after you leave your apartment.
Note: You do not need to deregister if you are simply moving to a new address in Berlin/Germany. In this instance, you just need to re-register at your new address following the same process as for your initial Anmeldung in Germany.
Why do you need to complete your Abmeldung?
When you complete your Abmeldung in Berlin, you will be issued with an Abmeldebestätigung (deregistration certificate). This certificate is needed in order to:
Cancel your health insurance.
Cancel any ongoing contracts (e.g. gym memberships, internet/mobile plans, gas and electricity contracts, etc).
Without being able to show a deregistration certificate, you may have difficulties proving that you have left Germany, and therefore may not be able to cancel ongoing contracts despite having left the country. To avoid this scenario, it pays to be prepared with respect to Abmeldung – if possible, we recommend completing the process in person at a Bürgeramt (option 1 below) before leaving Berlin so that everything is squared away prior to your departure.
How to complete your Abmeldung in Berlin
When the time comes to complete your Abmeldung in Berlin, you have 3 options. Whichever option you choose, it is important to note that the Abmeldung process is completely free.
Option 1: Deregister in person at a Bürgeramt in Berlin
The quickest and most reliable way to deregister from an address in Berlin is to do it in person at a Bürgeramt – this is our preferred method as you will receive your Abmeldebestätigung (deregistration certificate) on the spot at the end of your appointment. You can then use the certificate right away to cancel any ongoing contracts that you have in Germany.
The process is fairly straightforward:
Step 1: Book an Abmeldung appointment at a Bürgeramt in Berlin
The appointment type is called Abmeldung einer Wohnung and you can attend an appointment at any Bürgeramt in Berlin, not just the one in your local district.
Access the appointment booking platform via this link.
Once on the appointment booking platform, select Termin berlinweit suchen to see a calendar page of all available Abmeldung appointments in Berlin:
Once you have booked your Abmeldung appointment, you will be emailed an appointment confirmation that will include the location, time and date of your appointment as well as your appointment number (Vorgangsnummer).
Step 2: Complete and sign an Abmeldung form for Berlin
The Abmeldung form is a one-page form where you detail the address you wish to deregister from in Berlin as well as your future address. The form should be completed in German.
Here is a blank copy of the Abmeldung form for Berlin that you can use when deregistering your address.
Step 3: Attend your Abmeldung appointment in Berlin
At your appointment, hand over your completed Abmeldung form and passport to the Bürgeramt worker who will deregister you from your address, a process that takes approximately 5 minutes.
Once completed, the Bürgeramt worker will issue you an Abmeldebestätigung (deregistration certificate).
Option 2: Deregister via mail
If you are unable to obtain a suitable Abmeldung appointment at a Bürgeramt or have already left Germany, then you can also de-register via mail, although this method is considerably less reliable than de-registering in person at a Bürgeramt.
Step 1: Complete and sign an Abmeldung form for Berlin
The Abmeldung form is a one-page form where you detail the address you wish to deregister from in Berlin as well as your future address. The form should be completed in German.
Here is a blank copy of the Abmeldung form for Berlin that you can use when deregistering your address.
Step 2: Mail your paperwork to a Bürgeramt in Berlin
Include your completed and signed Abmeldung form as well as a photocopy of your passport data page. You can find the postal address for all Berlin Bürgerämter here.
Step 3: Receive your Abmeldebestätigung (deregistration certificate) at your new address
In theory, you can expect to receive your Abmeldebestätigung (deregistration certificate) at your new address approximately 1 month after mailing in your paperwork.
Note: The Bürgeramt may refuse to mail your deregistration certificate to an overseas address. To improve your chances of receiving your deregistration certificate, we recommend that you include a short note requesting them to instead mail your deregistration certificate to a friend or contact in Germany. Here is a short note in German that you can include with your paperwork:
Bitte senden Sie die Abmeldebestätigung an folgende Adresse in Deutschland: (Add name of friend + their address).
Option 3: Deregister via email
A third option is to complete the Abmeldung process via email, although this is definitely the least reliable option as not all Bürgeramt appear to allow this.
Step 1: Complete and sign an Abmeldung form for Berlin
The Abmeldung form is a one-page form where you detail the address you wish to deregister from in Berlin as well as your future address. The form should be completed in German.
Here is a blank copy of the Abmeldung form for Berlin that you can use when deregistering your address.
Step 2: Email your paperwork to a Bürgeramt in Berlin
When emailing in your paperwork, attach your signed and scanned Abmeldung form as well as a photocopy of your passport data page. You can find the relevant email addresses for all Berlin Bürgerämter here.
In particular, the Bürgeramt in Steglitz (buergeramt@ba-sz.berlin.de) appear especially open to allowing deregistrations via email so this would be a good starting point.
Step 3: Receive your Abmeldebestätigung (deregistration certificate) in the mail
In theory, you can expect to receive your Abmeldebestätigung (deregistration certificate) at your new address approximately 1 month after emailing in your paperwork.
Note: The Bürgeramt may refuse to mail your deregistration certificate to an overseas address. To improve your chances of receiving your deregistration certificate, we recommend that you include a short note requesting them to instead mail your certificate to a friend or contact in Germany. Here is a short note in German that you can include in your email:
Bitte senden Sie die Abmeldebestätigung an folgende Adresse in Deutschland: (Add name of friend + their address).
We hope you find this guide helpful for completing your Abmeldung in Berlin. If you think something should be added or updated in this guide, feel free to email us your suggestions at info@nomadenberlin.com.