Compulsory registration
In Germany anyone who moves into a house or flat is required by law to register with the authorities. You will have to register both yourself and all dependants who have come with you within one week of your arrival or move. To register you need:- Identity card and/or passport
- The form "Registering with the Authorities" ("Anmeldung bei der Meldebehörde")
- Certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung): You will need this for example to extend your visa and to open a bank account.
- Tax card (Lohnsteuerkarte): You will need your tax card if you have an employment contract with the University and will be receiving a salary. You will receive a tax card if you stay in Germany for longer than 183 days. Otherwise the university will apply to the Düsseldorf Tax Office for a certificate for persons with limited tax liability to be issued.
- Certificate of good conduct issued by the police (Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis): You will need this certificate of good conduct if you sign an employment contract with the university. International employees must present a certificate of good conduct issued by the police in their home country.
Click here for the website of the City of Münster Citizens Office
Registering a change of address/deregistering:
If you change address during your stay you will have to re-register at the Residents Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) at your new place of residence, i.e. you will have to have your new address registered. When you leave Germany at the end of your research stay, you will have to deregister at the Einwohnermeldeamt.
