Found an apartment? Moving in Germany: documentation, registration and meter readings
By: Simon Heinrich – Last updated: 02/2026
You’ve been accepted for an apartment—now a structured start matters. This page walks you through the key steps for your first 14 days: document the handover properly, label your doorbell/mailbox right away, record meter readings, and prepare your address registration. After that, you’ll know which contracts and admin tasks to tackle next—without unnecessary detours.
Auf dieser Seite findest du:
- Am Einzugstag: Übergabe und Dokumentation
- Zählerstände: Strom/Wasser/Heizung richtig erfassen
- Anmeldung (Bürgeramt): was du brauchst
- Einrichten: Obligatorisches zuerst (Bett, Licht, Küche)
- Wäsche: Waschmaschine, Waschkeller oder Waschsalon?
- Nächster Schritt: Strom/Gas optimieren und WLAN einrichten
Move-in day: handover and documentation
Move-in day is your most important moment to get everything on record. The goal is to avoid later disputes about damages, missing keys, or what condition the apartment was in when you moved in.
Handover checklist:
- Handover protocol: Check the condition of walls, floors, windows, doors, bathroom, kitchen, basement/balcony.
- Write down defects: Even small ones (scratches, stains, broken outlets, signs of mold).
- Take photos/videos: Especially of problem areas (ideally in daylight).
- Count keys: Apartment, building entrance, mailbox, basement, fobs/transponders—record the number in writing.
- Document what’s included: Built-in kitchen, appliances, furniture (what exactly, in what condition).
Overview: Housing in Germany – apartment search, rent & deposit
The most important criterion: can you register your address?
In Germany, you should register your address with the local registration office within two weeks after moving in. For rented accommodation you usually need a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (a short confirmation from your landlord or provider).
What this means for your start:
Prioritize places where “registration possible” is explicitly confirmed or where you will receive a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. You can bridge a short period without registration, but many next steps become unnecessarily complicated.
Do this immediately: label the doorbell/mailbox and test mail delivery
Label your doorbell, mailbox, and (if applicable) your door sign right after moving in so important letters and deliveries actually reach you.
As a quick practical test, you can order one or two free catalogues or brochures to the new address – this helps you confirm that your name and address format are correct and delivery works reliably.
Meter readings: record electricity/water/heating correctly
Reading and writing down meter values is annoying, but it can protect you from wrong (and potentially expensive) bills later.
Do it like this:
- Find the meters (often in the basement/hallway/meter cabinet; ask the caretaker/management if unclear)
- Write down meter number and meter reading together
- Take a photo (ideally including the meter number)
- Note the date/time (move-in day)
Registration (Anmeldung): what you need
Note for non‑EU/EEA citizens: Registering your address (Anmeldung) at the local registration office does not automatically complete your immigration steps with the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde). If you don’t have your electronic residence permit (eAT) yet—or if your residence status must be issued/converted after entry—you should start the eAT process as early as possible and secure an appointment with the competent Ausländerbehörde. This is especially important when your entry visa is time‑limited or your residence status depends on specific conditions (e.g., job or studies). If you move to another city, a different Ausländerbehörde may become responsible and your case may need to be transferred.
Registration is a key administrative step after moving in. You need to register (or re-register) within 14 days after moving into the new apartment.
A practical way to find the right page: search Google for “Anmeldung” and the name of your city/municipality – you’ll usually land directly on the appointment/registration page of the local authority. In practice, registration rarely fails because of language; it usually fails because documents are missing.
Practical steps:
- Make sure you have the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (clarify early if you’re in a shared flat or sublet).
- Prepare your documents: ID/passport, address, move-in date, and possibly your rental contract/confirmation.
- Book an appointment early (in some cities, appointments are limited).
If you can’t get an appointment within 14 days, take a screenshot of the appointment page as proof that the delay wasn’t your fault.
After registration: contracts become much easier
Once you have a registered address, many things get easier: you can provide a fixed address to providers, mail arrives reliably, and many contracts can be set up much more smoothly.
If you don’t have a German checking account yet, prioritize that now—recurring payments like rent are most reliable through it, and many contracts require you to provide a bank account/IBAN during sign-up.
Next steps:
Setup: apartments are often empty - here’s where to get what you need
Many apartments in Germany are rented out basically “naked”: unfurnished, often without ceiling lamps, and sometimes even without a kitchen. That’s normal – but it means you need to get the essential items yourself (ideally in a clear order so you don’t waste money).
To save you hours of comparing stores, here’s a practical overview of what you need – and where you can typically buy it in Germany (online and in-store): Furnishing an apartment in Germany: what you need and where to buy it
Next step: optimize electricity and gas
Before and after a move, you should inform your provider about your new address and record the meter readings and meter numbers on move-in day. You then pass these details to your electricity/gas provider (and, to be safe, also to the grid operator if needed).
If you haven’t arranged a contract yet, a basic supply contract (Grundversorgung) starts automatically once you consume the first kilowatt-hour at your new address—convenient, but often more expensive than a chosen tariff.
Be especially careful to enter the correct meter number and don’t just copy what the previous tenant tells you. Otherwise, in the worst case you might accidentally sign a contract for a neighbor’s meter while your own apartment remains on basic supply.