Germany

New registration guidelines now in place

4 Nov 15

GERMANY

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Germany has implemented new registration rules for landlords and all individuals taking up residence in Germany, including foreign nationals.

What does the change mean? Within two weeks of a tenant moving in or out, a form must be submitted to local authorities signed by the landlord and indicating the name of the tenant and other information. Foreign nationals staying at a hotel for more than three months must also register with local authorities within two weeks.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Residential registration.
  • Who is affected: Companies renting accommodations; foreign employees staying in Germany for longer than three months; foreigners moving into an apartment in Germany.
  • Impact on processing times: The rules may add to the overall process of relocating or moving in Germany, as it is now necessary to obtain a landlord’s signature and submit a form.
  • Business impact: The registration adds an additional administrative burden, especially on employers who lease accommodations on behalf of employees. Those who fail to register or deregister are subject to fines of up to €1,000 If false information is provided by the landlord or the individual registrant, the fine can be up to €50,000.
  • Next steps: Foreign employees should make sure to obtain the necessary information from their landlords or hotels within two weeks of moving and submit the form to the appropriate city hall with jurisdiction over the place of residence, or in some cases, the responsible Foreigners Office. BAL can assist in completing these procedures.

Background: The new law took effect Nov. 1 and is aimed at better tracking of all residents, including foreign nationals.

BAL Analysis: Companies should be aware of these additional procedures and the steep fines for noncompliance.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Germany. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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