Starting from the last October 16, Berlin residents can now register their new addresses online, a service officially introduced by Mayor Kai Wegner during the Smart Country Convention. This change aims to address the long-standing issue of overbooked Bürgerämter, where residential address registration makes up 25% of all annual appointments.
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No More Waiting for Appointments
The new digital service is free of charge and designed to alleviate the workload on Berlin's citizen offices. It allows users to register from the comfort of their homes, provided they have a digital-ready personal ID, a Bund-ID account, and their corresponding PIN. This move is expected to create more availability for other services by reducing the number of in-person visits.
Who Needs to Register?
If you move to Berlin or change your primary residence within the city, you must register your new address within 14 days. The rule applies to those moving into an apartment as their sole or main residence. For individuals with multiple residences in Germany, the primary residence is defined as the one predominantly used, while others are considered secondary residences. Failure to meet this two-week deadline may result in penalties.
Digital Registration: A Step-by-Step Guide
Check the Requirements: This service is available to adults with either German or EU citizenship who have moved within Germany. You’ll need a BundID account, a German identity card or an eID card with online identification functionality (eID), and a valid PIN.
Create or Log In to BundID: Once you have a BundID account, log in and prepare your identity documents.
Submit Your Data: Enter your new address and, if you're renting, upload your landlord’s move-in confirmation.
Review and Confirmation: The authority will review your documents, and once approved, you will receive a digital registration confirmation via email.
Update ID Data: The online service will then allow you to update your address data on your ID card’s chip via the AusweisApp.
Receive a New Address Sticker: You’ll receive a new address sticker by mail to place on your ID card. If you moved from another German city, you'll also receive a residence sticker for your passport.
In-Person Registration Still Available
For those who prefer or need to register in person, this option remains available. You can book an appointment at your local Bürgeramt, bringing all necessary documents, such as a completed registration form and landlord confirmation. After verification, your address will be updated on your ID or residence permit during the appointment.
Addressing Current Challenges
While the service promises significant benefits, challenges remain. Residents who have lost or forgotten their PIN must still visit a Bürgeramt to reset it. However, Martina Klement, Berlin's Chief Digital Officer, assured that a new online PIN retrieval system is in the works to further simplify the process.
A Step Forward in Digitizing Berlin's Administration
With more than 350 services planned for digitalization, the city hopes this online registration will encourage broader use of e-government services. The ultimate goal is to make Berlin’s bureaucracy more efficient and citizen-friendly, relieving pressure on overwhelmed offices and providing a smoother experience for residents.
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