Changing Your Address in Austria: Who Must Be Notified After Moving?

Registering your new address does not complete all the paperwork involved in moving. Some institutions receive your details automatically, while others must be notified by you, sometimes within a short deadline.

Start with the Meldezettel

The first step is registering your address at your new home using the Meldezettel. Many authorities will ask for proof of registration, although you can often request that they verify the information directly in the Zentrales Melderegister (ZMR).

Employer and AMS: important deadlines

Most employment contracts (Dienstvertrag) require you to report changes to your personal details without delay. If you are currently employed, your employer must forward the change to your health insurer.

If you claim the commuter allowance (Pendlerpauschale), you must report a change of residence to your employer within one month.

If you receive benefits from the AMS, such as unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld) or Notstandshilfe, you must report the address change without delay and no later than within one week to the previously responsible AMS office.

• You can notify the AMS through Mein AMS, which is the simplest option.
• You can also report the change by telephone, in writing or in person.
• If you report it by telephone, ask for the name of the staff member so that you can later prove that you made the notification.

If necessary, the new address can also be forwarded to your health insurer.

Finanzamt: when is a separate notification necessary?

In general, registering your address in the ZMR is sufficient. The tax administration receives the information from there, and FinanzOnline is updated. However, only your principal residence (Hauptwohnsitz) is transferred automatically.

• You are an employee and do not receive benefits from Finanzamt: You can provide the new address with your next tax assessment (Arbeitnehmerveranlagung).
• You receive benefits from Finanzamt, such as family allowance (Familienbeihilfe), and do not use FinanzOnline: Notify Finanzamt of the move immediately.
• You are self-employed: If the change has not already been made through the ZMR, report it within one month and include your tax number.

If the address is correct in the ZMR but incorrect at Finanzamt, you can request a correction through FinanzOnline.

Bank, ORF contribution, insurance and mail

• Bank: Inform your bank, savings bank or building society of the new address. An informal letter is usually sufficient, although a copy of the Meldezettel may sometimes be requested.
• ORF contribution (ORF-Beitrag, formerly GIS): If someone at your principal residence is responsible for paying the contribution, report any change to the name, address or payment method to ORF-Beitrags Service GmbH.
• Insurance: Update the address for supplementary, life and household insurance. This is particularly important for household insurance (Haushaltsversicherung), because the new home may otherwise not be insured.
• Postal forwarding (Nachsendeauftrag): Request it at least three working days before the first forwarding date, either at a post office or online, using official photo identification.

For private individuals, postal forwarding costs the following for three months and for each additional started three-month period:

• Domestic forwarding: 21.90 euros
• International forwarding: 28.90 euros
• Parcels, domestic only, surcharge: 11.90 euros

Forwarding can last for a maximum of one year.

Vehicles: do you need a new registration document?

The required procedure depends on whether the official abbreviation on your registration plate changes, such as “W” or “PL”.

• The abbreviation remains the same, for example when moving between districts in Vienna: No action is required and the existing registration document remains valid.
• The abbreviation changes but the authority remains the same: Notification is mandatory within one week.
• Both the abbreviation and the authority change: Deregistration and new registration are required at the same time as transferring your principal residence.

The procedure takes place at the registration office (Zulassungsstelle) responsible for your new residence. When moving from Baden to Vienna, responsibility changes from the Baden district authority to the Vienna provincial police department.

For a registration document in cheque-card format, the new card costs 31.10 euros. If you use a digital vignette and receive new registration plates, re-registration with ASFINAG costs 18 euros. Failing to report the change may result in an administrative fine.

Who else should be notified?

• Pension insurance provider: If you receive a pension, notify the provider within two weeks of moving. The notification is free of charge and can be informal.
• Social assistance (Sozialhilfe): Notify your caseworker as soon as possible, preferably before the planned move.
• Study grant authority (Studienbeihilfenbehörde): A move within the same city must also be reported.
• School, kindergarten or university: Notify the institution informally if the institution itself is not changing.
• Land register (Grundbuch) for property owners: The change can be made free of charge through JustizOnline.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a new driving licence after moving?

No. You do not need to report the address change to the authority that issued your driving licence, and you do not need to have your identity card or passport reissued.

Does Finanzamt automatically receive your new address?

Yes, for your principal residence through the ZMR. If you use another address as well, or receive benefits without using FinanzOnline, it is advisable to notify Finanzamt separately.

What happens if you do not notify the AMS on time?

The notification is mandatory no later than within one week, so this deadline should be observed.

Are any vehicle procedures required when moving within Vienna?

No, because the “W” abbreviation remains unchanged. The change is recorded in the background.

Practical steps after moving

1. Register your new address using the Meldezettel and check that the information is correct in the ZMR.
2. Notify your employer, especially if you claim the Pendlerpauschale.
3. If you receive AMS benefits, notify the previously responsible AMS office within one week.
4. Check whether Finanzamt needs a separate notification, particularly if you receive benefits or do not use FinanzOnline.
5. Update your bank, insurers, ORF-Beitrags Service GmbH and other regular service providers.
6. Arrange a Nachsendeauftrag at least three working days before forwarding should begin.
7. Check whether your vehicle’s official abbreviation changes and contact the responsible Zulassungsstelle if required.
8. Notify any other relevant institution, such as your pension insurance provider, Sozialhilfe caseworker, Studienbeihilfenbehörde, school, kindergarten, university or Grundbuch service.

This information is based on sources available online and is not legal, tax or other professional advice. For advice specific to your situation, contact the relevant professional. Source: oesterreich.gv.at