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If you move out of an apartment and do not move into a new apartment in Germany, you must deregister with the registration office. However, you do not have to deregister if you move within Germany. In this case, it is sufficient to register with your new municipality.

Anyone who moves out of an apartment and does not move into a new apartment in Germany must deregister with the registration office within two weeks. This is possible at the earliest one week before moving out. This means that you must deregister whenever you move abroad. You are also obliged to deregister if you give up one of your homes in Germany (e.g. a secondary residence) without moving into a new home at the same time.

However, you do not have to deregister if you move within Germany, i.e. if you move out of an apartment and into a new one. In this case, it is sufficient to register with your new municipality. This will inform your former municipality that you have moved.

If necessary, the registration authority will request the presentation of:

• Identity card or passport
• Identity cards of family members, if all are registered on one registration form
• Children's passport or birth certificate (for children who do not have a children's passport)

There are no fees or costs.

To deregister, you must complete and sign the officially prescribed deregistration form and hand it in at the registration office. You can be represented by a suitable person when submitting the deregistration form. However, you can also send the deregistration form by post. The deregistration form is available from the registration office. In some municipalities, the deregistration form is also available for download. If the municipality keeps the registration register automatically, you do not need to fill in the deregistration form if you appear in person at the registration office and confirm the accuracy of the data you have provided with your signature on a printout.

Family members who have lived in the same home and are moving with you should use one deregistration form together.

Once you have deregistered, you will receive a confirmation of deregistration for your records.

You must cancel your registration within two weeks of moving out. It is possible at the earliest one week before moving out. Deregistrations are usually processed immediately. You will receive confirmation of your notification free of charge.

If someone has several homes within the Federal Republic of Germany, one of these homes is the main home. The main residence is the dwelling primarily used.

Anyone who moves out of an apartment and does not move into a new apartment in Germany must deregister with the registration office within two weeks. This is possible at the earliest one week before moving out. This means that you must deregister whenever you move abroad. You are also obliged to deregister if you give up one of your homes in Germany (e.g. a secondary residence) without moving into a new home at the same time.

However, you do not have to deregister if you move within Germany, i.e. if you move out of an apartment and into a new one. In this case, it is sufficient to register with your new municipality. This will inform your former municipality that you have moved.

The competent authority is the registration office of the local authority or municipality responsible for your home.