Residence; notification of change of main residence

If you have several homes in Germany, the registration law distinguishes between a main residence and a secondary residence. Homes abroad are not taken into account when determining main and secondary residences, even if they would fulfill the objective criteria of a main residence.

The main residence of single persons is their predominantly used home. If you have more than one home, the home that you use most of the time is your main home. The calculation is based on one year. If the comparison of the periods of residence in the respective home does not lead to a clear result, it depends on where the focus of your living relationships lies. Living relationships include relationships with parents, partners, friends, ties to a profession, clubs, church congregations or political parties, etc.

The main residence of a married resident or a resident living in a registered civil partnership is the home used primarily by the family. If you have another home in addition to the family home, this is the secondary residence. The duration of residence is not taken into account for residents who are married or in a civil partnership.

In the case of married residents or residents living in a registered civil partnership who are permanently separated, the same criteria apply as for single persons.

For minors, the main residence is the home of the legal guardian. If they live separately, the main residence is the home of the person with custody that is primarily used by the minor resident. If a corresponding application is made, this also applies to persons up to the age of 25 who live in an institution for disabled persons.

In cases of doubt, the predominantly used home is the place where the resident's main living relationships are centered.

You have at least two homes in Germany.

Decisive criteria for determining a main or secondary residence can be, in addition to the duration of use: Age, marital status, place of work, family ties, the focus of living relationships.

The final decision is made by the registration authority, which may check the information you have provided.

• Confirmation of working hours from the employer (if applicable)
• Driver's logbook, if applicable
• If applicable, further (personal) documents that allow an assessment of which apartment is predominantly used

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