0 €, 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos), 26,30 € - 42,00 €, 0 € (Aufkleber) oder 37 € (neuer Ausweis), 0 €, Je nach Anbieter, Je nach Anbieter (20-50€/Monat), Je nach Anbieter, 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos), 10% der Jahresnettokaltmiete, 0 €, 0 €

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Es kann ein Bußgeld geben und viele Verträge sowie Behördengänge werden ohne Anmeldung schwieriger.

Moving in Cologne – Fristen & Checkliste

Step 1

Register your new address

🚨

Frist: 14 days after moving in · You may face a fine and many contracts and official processes become more difficult without registration.

You must register your new address at the Cologne citizens' office. This must be done within 14 days after moving in.

📄 Required Documents

ID card or passport(Required)

Landlord confirmation(Required)

Signed by landlord

Rental contract(Optional)

Bring just in case

💡 Tips

Citizens' office downtown: Laurenzplatz 1-3, 50667 Cologne
Opening hours: Mon 7:30am-3pm + Wed 7:30am-12pm WITHOUT appointment
Tue 9:30am-6pm, Thu 7:30am-4pm, Fri 7:30am-12pm ONLY WITH appointment
Book online at termine.stadt-koeln.de or call 0221/221-0
Don't forget landlord confirmation – nothing works without it!

Book appointment at Cologne citizens' office↗

Step 2

🔌 Compare electricity & internet

Without electricity and internet contracts you're literally in the dark. Find the best tariffs for your new address now – takes only 2 minutes and often saves several hundred euros per year.

⏰ Before or immediately after moving in💰 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos)

💡 Tips

Takes only 2 minutes
Free & non-binding
Often saves several hundred euros per year
Enter new address directly with provider

⚡ Stromtarif vergleichen ↗🌐 Internet verfügbar prüfen ↗

⏱ 2 Minuten💰 Kostenlos🔒 Unverbindlich

Step 3If you have a car

Re-register your car

Your vehicle must be re-registered at the vehicle registration office to your new address. This must be done immediately.

⚠️Fine possible, and it can cause problems with insurance or authorities.

⏰ Immediately (right after moving)💰 26,30 € - 42,00 €

📄 Required Documents

Vehicle registration Part I(Required)

Vehicle registration document – you received this when registering. If lost: replacement at vehicle registration office (approx. €12)

Vehicle registration Part II(Required)

Vehicle title – you received this when registering. If financed: often held by the bank! If lost: replacement at vehicle registration office (approx. €12)

ID card(Required)

eVB number(Required)

From your insurance

SEPA mandate for vehicle tax(Required)

Fill out form on-site or download online: formulare.bfinv.de → 'SEPA direct debit mandate vehicle tax'

💡 Tips

Vehicle registration office: Max-Glomsda-Straße 4, 51105 Cologne
Opening hours: Mon 7am-2pm, Tue 7am-6pm, Wed 7am-1pm, Thu 7am-4pm, Fri 7am-1pm
Online appointment mandatory: termine.stadt-koeln.de or call 0221/221-26635
You can keep your old license plate!
Get eVB number from your insurance beforehand

Book appointment at vehicle registration office↗

Step 4

Update ID card address

Your new address must be entered in your ID card. This can be done directly at the citizens' office.

⚠️If you do this together with registration, you save yourself an extra appointment.

⏰ No deadline, but recommended💰 0 € (Aufkleber) oder 37 € (neuer Ausweis)

📄 Required Documents

ID card(Required)

Registration certificate(Optional)

💡 Tips

Can be done together with registration
After 2+ moves: apply for new ID card

Do at citizens' office↗

Step 5

Update TV/radio fee address

Update your address with the broadcasting fee service. This can be done completely online in 2 minutes.

⚠️Otherwise reminders go to your old address and worst case late fees apply.

⏰ 1 month after moving💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

Contribution number(Required)

On your letters from the fee service

💡 Tips

Completely online possible
Living with someone who already pays? You can deregister!

Change address online↗

Step 6

Register electricity

⚠️Without switching providers you often pay 20-30% more – that can be several hundred euros per year.

⏰ Before moving in or immediately after💰 Je nach Anbieter

📄 Required Documents

Meter number(Required)

On the electricity meter

Meter reading(Required)

Read on moving day

Move-in date(Required)

💡 Tips

Take a photo of meter reading on moving day!
Basic supply is usually 20-30% more expensive
Get switching bonus

Compare electricity providers↗

Step 7

Set up internet

Check which providers are available at your new address and book in time – installation can take 2-4 weeks!

⚠️Ordering early is worth it – otherwise you might be without internet for several weeks.

⏰ Order 2-4 weeks before moving💰 Je nach Anbieter (20-50€/Monat)

📄 Required Documents

New address(Required)

Bank details(Required)

💡 Tips

Check fiber optic – often cheaper and faster
Cancel old contract in time (3 months notice)
Check special cancellation right when moving

Compare internet providers↗

Step 8If you heat or cook with gas

Register gas

⚠️Without switching providers you often pay 20-30% more – that can be several hundred euros per year.

⏰ Before moving in or immediately after💰 Je nach Anbieter

📄 Required Documents

Meter number(Required)

On the gas meter

Meter reading(Required)

Read on moving day

Move-in date(Required)

💡 Tips

Take a photo of meter reading on moving day!
Basic supply is usually 20-30% more expensive
Get switching bonus
Check if apartment has gas connection

Compare gas providers↗

Step 9

🛡️ Take out contents insurance

Ein Wasserschaden oder Einbruch kann dich tausende Euro kosten – und es passiert schneller als du denkst. Sichere dich jetzt ab, bevor etwas passiert. Schon ab wenigen Euro im Monat bist du auf der sicheren Seite.

⏰ Immediately after moving in💰 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos)

💡 Tips

🏠 Starting from just a few euros per month
🔒 Covers furniture, electronics & valuables
⚡ Quick online sign-up
💰 Free & non-binding comparison

👉 Hausratversicherung vergleichen ↗

⏱ 2 Minuten💰 Kostenlos🔒 Unverbindlich

Moving in Cologne

Register your new address

📄 Required Documents

🔌 Compare electricity & internet

Re-register your car

📄 Required Documents

Update ID card address

📄 Required Documents

Update TV/radio fee address

📄 Required Documents

Register electricity

📄 Required Documents

Set up internet

📄 Required Documents

Register gas

📄 Required Documents

🛡️ Take out contents insurance

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🔗 Related Topics