Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK
For members

LEARNING GERMAN

11 German words you need for an appointment at the Bürgeramt

Whether registering a change of address or applying for a passport for your child, Germany's 'citizens' offices' have many practical purposes. Here's the key vocab you need for a smooth visit.

Published: 17 October 2023 16:31 CEST
Updated: 18 October 2023 15:50 CEST
Bürgeramt
A man walks to the Bürgeramt, one of the many centres of German bureaucracy. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Martin Schutt

Quite literally translating to an office or department (das Amt) for citizens (Bürger*innen), the Bürgeramt is the home of administration tasks and is a symbol of German bureaucracy.

There are a few key vocabulary words you’ll need in your repertoire for the different appointments that the Bürgeramt (also known as the Bürgerbüro, Bürgerdienst, Meldebehörde or Einwohnermeldeamt) offers, including Anmeldung appointments (registering your address) and registering your marriage or a birth. 

READ ALSO: Bürgeramt: Berlin plans to open four new citizens’ offices

Der Termin

The word that will begin any process at the Bürgeramt: der Termin (appointment). 

Different places have different methods of scheduling an appointment, but you will either be able to book online, phone the Bürgeramt, or visit in person to secure an appointment. 

Larger cities often have limited appointments, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time and plan at least a few weeks in advance.

Die Anmeldung

Anmeldung is the process of registering your address when you first move into a new flat or home in Germany. Firstly, you will need to find an accomodation that allows for an Anmeldung. 

Once you’re lucky enough to find a flat, you can then begin preparing your Anmeldung paperwork. 

READ ALSO: How to understand the German ‘Anmeldung’

This consists of a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form that is completed and signed by your landlord (der Vermieter/die Vermieterin), an Anmeldung form which contains your personal details, and your passport. 

If you are married, divorced, widowed or in a civil partnership, you will have to prove this with an Eheurkunde (wedding certificate), Scheidungsurkunde (divorce certificate), etc.

If you are also registering for your children, you should also bring their birth certificates.

Lastly, if you have a national visa (category D visa) or German residence permit, you should also bring this.

A sign for a Bürgeramt in Berlin.

A sign for a Bürgeramt in Berlin. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Wolfgang Kumm

Die Abmeldung 

Abmeldung is the process of deregistering your address at the Bürgeramt when you leave Germany.

If you are staying in Germany but changing address, you will hear the term Unmeldung for this process.

Failing to do so could result in issues with taxation and health insurance. 

Die Meldebescheinigung 

In the context of the Bürgeramt, the Meldebescheinigung refers to a registration certificate. 

It confirms your residence at a specific address and is normally required for various administrative and legal purposes. 

Der Ausweis

Your Ausweis is your identification. 

You will normally need your passport (der Pass) to prove your identity at any Bürgeramt appointment. 

Die Steueridentifikationsnummer (also die Steuernummer)

Your Steueridentifikationsnummer is your unique tax ID. 

It can be used to verify your identity when conducting administrative transactions, applying for various social services or government benefits, and is also sometimes required when registering your residence (Anmeldung).

Der Aufenthaltstitel 

Der Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) is an official document issued by the immigration authorities that allows non-EU/EEA citizens to reside in Germany for a specified period. 

It is granted based on various factors such as employment, family reunification and education.

If you struggle to find an appointment for a visa in your country country of origin, some countries such as the US, UK and Australia allow you to apply for a residence permit once you arrive in Germany. 

Be aware that you should have enough days left in your 90-day Schengen allowance to enter Germany if this is the case. 

Die Zahlungsmethode 

Literally the payment method, this term becomes relevant when there are fees associated with certain services or applications at the Bürgeramt.

Different Bürgerämter have different methods of payment that they accept, so be sure to check whether you will need cash, specific payment cards or if you need to make a bank transfer.

Die Verlängerung 

If you have a residence permit or any other document that has an expiration date, you may need to apply for a Verlängerung (extension) at the Bürgeramt. 

Sometimes, it is essential to provide specific documentation and fulfill certain criteria to be eligible for an extension.

Die Unterschrift 

One of the most important parts of bureaucracy, your Unterschrift (signature) will often round off many processes at the Bürgeramt. 

Die Vollmacht

Vollmacht refers to a power of attorney or authorisation letter. 

If you are unable to visit the Bürgeramt, you can grant somebody else the power to act on your behalf. 

You typically need to provide a written Vollmacht document that clearly states the authority you are granting to your representative. 

The document should specify which tasks or transactions your representative can handle.

The Bürgeramt can be an overwhelming experience, so mastering these terms could ease your worries, paving the way for a smoother and more efficient experience.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

LEARNING GERMAN

‘Forget about bilingual Kitas’: Key tips for raising bilingual kids in Germany

With greater numbers of international workers choosing to settle in Germany and raise a family, the question of how to best raise bilingual children is often considered. 

Published: 25 April 2024 15:01 CEST
Updated: 28 April 2024 08:35 CEST
'Forget about bilingual Kitas': Key tips for raising bilingual kids in Germany

The Local asked its readers who have raised bilingual children in Germany to tell us how they managed to raise children who speak German in addition to their parent’s mother tongue. 

Trust the (school) system. 

One piece of advice was echoed by several readers: Trust the German education system to take care of teaching German through immersion. 

Siniša, 44, from Hesse, who speaks Croatian and English at home, told The Local: “Speak your native language at home. The school will ‘cover’ German and other languages.”

Steve, 55, who lives in Munich and speaks English and Spanish with his daughter agrees.

“Be consistent and raise your child in your native tongue. At a local school, they will learn German quickly,” he said.

Chris, 44, from Hamburg, who speaks English with his children, backed the idea of leaving kids’ schools to take charge of teaching them German.

“Get the kids into the German education system as early as possible and let them learn themselves from native speakers. As a bonus, they’ll pick it up quickly and not pick up a ‘non-German’ accent either,” he said.

Read more: ‘Multilingualism is an enrichment’ – The challenges of raisin bilingual kids in Germany

Readers also noted that even in the preschool stage, children can handle multiple languages. 

Julie, 41, who lives in Hamburg and speaks English and Italian at home, said: “Relax and go with the flow. Don’t get hung up on finding bilingual Kitas for toddlers if they already get significant exposure to the non-German language at home. Languages seem to develop in different spurts at different speeds.”

However, liaising with schools in Germany was noted as an essential skill. 

Kim, 46, based in Sindelfingen, with a family speaking both English and German, said: “It’s essential for at least one parent to understand German when children attend a German school. They can help explain language and cultural differences. They can also help with administrative matters and even homework.”

Maintain the mother tongue.

While readers were keen to encourage parents to trust the immersion process that German schools provide, they were also quick to advise a concerted effort to maintain speaking the mother tongue in and around the home. 

“For international parents, I think it’s very important that their children do not lose touch with their mother tongue, as it is a very special part of their identity,” said Prashanth, 42, who lives in Munich.

Anne-Marie, 52, from Frankfurt, who speaks ‘Singlish’ (Singaporean English) with her children, stated that it’s essential to be firm.

“Speak in your mother tongue to your kids from the day they are born. Be consequent about it, even in front of other people who do not speak your mother tongue,” she said.

Karl, 44, who lives in Celle and who speaks English and the indigenous American Ute language with his children, said getting family on board is important. 

“Communicate with all family members your decision, intentionally speak all of the languages, when possible provide translations so family members present are not excluded from conversations,” he said.

Charles, 40, from Berlin, even stated that speaking German at home may prove detrimental: “Don’t speak your own mediocre German with them. It may be hard to see them speaking another language as their more comfortable primary language than your own.”

Charles, who speaks English at home, added: “Find books and shows to share with them in your native language to continue the shared experience.”

Read More: What foreign parents should know about German schools

Just let it happen with the kids…

Sometimes, it seems, becoming bilingual takes care of itself. 

Paul, 40, from Munich, married to a German, said: “Our oldest just started speaking English one day around age 3. She had heard so much she could understand and just started talking. 

“The twins are starting to speak more and more English. It wasn’t a problem since she was fluent in both by age 4. I advise patience and not expecting perfection at a young age.

Crystal, 38, who lives in Nuremberg and speaks English at home, responded: “At first, my main concern was getting as much German into our lives as possible so my son would be ready for Grundschule. 

“Now I’m swinging the other way. My advice is to try to relax. There are always other things to worry about, and kids learn so much really quickly.”

…but also challenge yourself

Finally, respondents to The Locals’ survey repeated that raising bilingual children is something that requires a degree of effort – on the parent’s behalf. 

J.K, 40, who lives in Hanau and speaks English and Telugu at home, told The Local: “Language is very important for the kids to grow in a culture. 

“Parents should facilitate situations around the kid to better integrate locally. Parents (at least one) should be able to speak German at a level better than B1. 

“If not, supporting kids in their education is difficult, and this will hamper their chances of reaching a higher education level.”

Read More: Six surprising facts about Germany’s school system

Moreno, 40, who lives in Munich and speaks Portuguese with his children, was firm in his advice: “Don’t choose the easy way for you, parents. Don’t hide in your language community bubble. 

“If you intend to live in Germany for a long time, put your kids in German schools and get them in touch with the German community.

“If you don’t speak German like me, deal with it. But don’t transfer your problem to your kids.”

Have we missed any crucial advice for raising bilingual children in Germany? Tell us in the comments section below.

SHOW COMMENTS