Moving in Leipzig: Ummeldung (re-registering your address), deadlines and what else goes with it
After a move you have two weeks to re-register in Leipzig. You need your Personalausweis (ID card) and the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord’s confirmation of residence); the re-registration (Ummeldung) itself is free of charge. Anyone who misses the deadline risks a fine of up to 1,000 €. You can do it online via the electronic residence registration (elektronische Wohnsitzanmeldung, eWA) or at the Bürgerbüro (citizens’ office; in other cities often called Bürgeramt).
A move has two sides: the furniture and the authorities. The furniture is done in a day. With the authorities, deadlines are running that start weeks beforehand — above all for the Halteverbot. The order below is the one in which things actually fall due.
Ummeldung in Leipzig at a glance
| Deadline | 2 weeks after moving in (§ 17 Bundesmeldegesetz, the Federal Registration Act) |
|---|---|
| Where | Bürgerbüro of the City of Leipzig, or online (eWA) |
| Cost | free of charge |
| Documents | Personalausweis (ID card) or passport, Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord’s confirmation) |
| If you are late | Administrative offence (Ordnungswidrigkeit), fine of up to 1,000 € |
| Appointment needed? | not online; at the Bürgerbüro it is better to book in advance |
| Car | Change the vehicle registration document (Fahrzeugschein) too; if the number plate stays the same, directly during the Ummeldung |
| Move to the surrounding area | Registration (Anmeldung) in the new municipality, no longer in Leipzig |
The checklist in the right order
“Mandatory” means: required by law or with a deadline. “Tip” means: not required, but it saves trouble.
Start early where deadlines are running
In Leipzig at the Mobilitäts- und Tiefbauamt (office for mobility and civil engineering), at the latest 14 official working days before the date — by post, e-mail or fax. The fee starts at 32 €. The city does not put up the signs itself: you or a firm you commission do that, at the latest four days beforehand. Application to the City of Leipzig
If your residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) contains a residence restriction (Wohnsitzauflage), it must be changed or lifted at the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) before you move to another city.
Saturdays and month-ends go first. If you can offer two dates to choose from, you almost always get one of them.
Get your papers, secure an appointment
The confirmation is issued by the landlord, the property management company or — in a shared flat (WG) — the main tenant (Hauptmieter). Without it the Ummeldung is not possible; however, it may be submitted later.
Some Leipzig Bürgerbüros give out appointments online. If you can re-register online anyway, you do not need one. Appointments with the authorities online (Ämtertermine online)
So that letters to the old address do not get lost while banks and insurers are still updating their records.
Document the handover properly
Electricity, gas, water — in the old and in the new flat. A dated photo saves arguments over the final bill.
Record any damage and the number of keys in writing and have both sides sign it.
Re-registering and your car
At the registration authority (Meldebehörde) responsible for your new address — online or at the Bürgerbüro, see below. Anyone who misses the deadline risks a fine of up to 1,000 €. If you are leaving Leipzig, for example for Markkleeberg or Taucha, register there, not in Leipzig.
When you move within Leipzig, the vehicle register must be corrected without delay. This can be done online via i-Kfz (online vehicle registration), by handing in documents, or directly during the Ummeldung at the Bürgerbüro if you keep your number plate. Vehicle registration when moving in Leipzig
Inform everyone who writes to you
The registration office (Meldeamt) does not pass your new address on to everyone. Most organisations can be updated online in a few minutes.
Anyone who receives Kindergeld (child benefit) or Bürgergeld (basic income support) must report the move. For Bürgergeld the rule is: obtain the approval (Zusage) for the new flat beforehand, not only afterwards.
Re-register online or at the Bürgerbüro?
Leipzig offers electronic residence registration — around the clock, no appointment needed. But it does not suit everyone.
Online (eWA)
- Personalausweis or eID card with the online ID function activated, and PIN
- Smartphone with NFC or a card reader, the AusweisApp and a BundID account
- Have the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung ready
- The address stickers arrive by post
At the Bürgerbüro
- If your ID card does not have the online function activated
- With an electronic residence permit (elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel): the online service does not work with it so far
- Bring the original ID documents of all persons
- Have the car re-registered at the same time if the number plate stays the same
Frequently asked questions
By when do I have to re-register after the move?
Within two weeks of moving in. The deadline starts on the day you moved into the new flat, not with the signature on the Mietvertrag (tenancy agreement). It applies nationwide under § 17 Bundesmeldegesetz and therefore also in Leipzig.
What does re-registering cost in Leipzig?
Re-registering your address is free of charge. Fees only apply if further documents are issued at the same time, for example a Meldebescheinigung (certificate of registration) for 5 €.
Which documents do I need to re-register?
The Personalausweis (ID card) or passport of everyone registering, and the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from the landlord, the property management company or — in a shared flat (WG) — the main tenant. For children, the birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde) as well.
Can I re-register online in Leipzig?
Yes. Leipzig offers electronic residence registration around the clock. For this you need a Personalausweis with the online ID function activated, together with the PIN, a smartphone with NFC or a card reader, the AusweisApp and a BundID account. The online service does not work so far with an electronic residence permit — in that case the Bürgerbüro is the way to go.
What happens if I re-register too late?
Registering late is an administrative offence (Ordnungswidrigkeit). The Bundesmeldegesetz provides for a fine of up to 1,000 € for this. In practice it depends on the individual case — it is better to keep to the two weeks.
My landlord will not give me a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. What can I do?
Providing the confirmation is the duty of the landlord (Wohnungsgeber). Register on time anyway: the confirmation can be submitted later.
Do I also need a Halteverbot for a move within Leipzig?
It is not mandatory. But if there is no space in front of the building for the van, the crew has to carry further — and that costs time. In narrow streets it is almost always worth it.
Does ShanBau also help with the paperwork?
We cannot take the trips to the authorities off your hands. We make sure that everything runs on moving day: we dismantle and assemble furniture, carry, transport and take bulky waste (Sperrmüll) away with us. We name the price beforehand.
As of: September 2026. Sources: City of Leipzig – registering or re-registering a home, No-parking zone for a move, Vehicles when moving within Leipzig, § 54 Bundesmeldegesetz. Not legal advice.
Get a price for your move in 2 minutes
You take care of the paperwork, we take care of the furniture. Describe your move — the fixed price usually arrives the same day.