Meldezettel in Austria: Meaning, Registration and Requirements

The Meldezettel is the Austrian form used to provide the information needed to register an address in the Zentrale Melderegister (central address register). It is used when registering a new main or secondary residence, changing an address or deregistering. Based on this information, you receive a Meldebestätigung, or address registration certificate.

Why do you need a Meldezettel?

Anyone who permanently lives in Austria must register their address and register all minors living with them with the competent local authority. Registration is required when you move into accommodation in Austria and establish a new main residence, when you establish a new secondary residence, or when you change your address. When a child is born, registration can be completed at the same time as submitting the birth registration. In this case, no additional registration at the local residence authority is required.

Main and secondary residence

The home that a person intends to make the centre of their life is considered their main residence. This can be determined, for example, by the time spent there, its proximity to the workplace or the proximity of family members. It is not decisive whether the person describes the home as their primary residence; the relevant factor is what emerges from the person’s overall work-related, economic and social circumstances.

A secondary residence is associated only with certain aspects of a person’s life, such as spending leisure time there or carrying out temporary activities. In Austria, people may establish any number of secondary residences, but only one main residence.

The main residence can affect voting rights, school and kindergarten attendance, parking permits and benefits.

Requirements and deadlines

In principle, anyone with a valid address in Austria can apply for an address registration certificate from the competent local residence authority. The accommodation must genuinely have been provided, which the Unterkunftgeber confirms by signing the Meldezettel.

Registration is mandatory within three days of moving into the new home. Failure to meet this deadline is an administrative offence punishable by a fine of up to 726 euros, or up to 2180 euros in repeated cases. Registering at an address where you do not actually live is a so-called sham registration offence and is also illegal.

Where and how to register

The competent Meldebehörde is the authority responsible for the new address. In municipalities, this is located at the local authority; in statutory cities, it is located at the city office; and in Vienna, it is located at the relevant district office.

Registration can be completed in person, by courier or by post. It cannot be completed by fax or email. The Meldezettel form is available from the competent authorities, in some tobacconists’ shops, and online for download and printing. When registering in person, you receive the Meldebestätigung immediately. Registration is free.

Information and signatures on the form

In addition to legible personal details, the Meldezettel includes religious affiliation. Providing this information is voluntary. The form also asks for the ZMR number, if known. This is a twelve-digit number used for identification by the authorities.

The signature of the Meldepflichtige (the person registering) and the signature of the Unterkunftgeber (the accommodation provider or landlord) are required. If you own the property, you provide the accommodation yourself. Each person must complete their own Meldezettel and submit it to the authority. The authority can help with completing the form if necessary.

Documents required

• An official document showing the applicant’s first and last name, surname before the first marriage, date of birth, place of birth and nationality, such as a birth certificate.
• For non-Austrian citizens: a valid passport.
• For newborns: the child’s birth certificate.

A parent or guardian must register minors. Persons with intellectual disabilities must be registered by their adult representative.

Online registration and deregistration

Online services are also available for registration and deregistration. An online application made using the Bürgerkarte takes approximately one week to process, and the Meldebestätigung is sent by post. The fee for the Meldebestätigung is 3 euros.

If you deregister from an address without registering at another address, you can also do this on oesterreich.gv.at. However, after online deregistration, it is not possible to complete a new registration digitally.

The Meldebescheinigung (address registration certificate) remains valid until the address changes. If the address changes, you must register again.

Address registration for people without a permanent home

A person without a permanent residence may receive an address registration certificate if they can credibly demonstrate that, for at least one month, the centre of their life has been exclusively within a particular community and they can name a contact location that they visit regularly, such as a homeless shelter or social services office.

What happens if your personal details change?

If personal details change, for example after marriage, you do not need to submit a new registration to the local residence authority. Changes of name and the acquisition or loss of nationality are automatically forwarded and recorded in the ZMR.

What if you lose your Meldebestätigung?

If you lose your Meldebestätigung, you can request it to be reissued or request address registration information from the competent local residence authority by presenting a photo identification document.

An official application and notification by post are required. The certificate costs 14,30 euros. Queries from the local address register cost 2,10 euros, while queries from the central address register cost 3,30 euros.

Download the official Meldezettel

Always use the latest official version of the form rather than an old illustration. The official Meldezettel is available through the official download page.

Practical steps

1. Move into the accommodation and identify the competent Meldebehörde for the address.
2. Obtain and complete a separate Meldezettel for every person.
3. Have the form signed by the Meldepflichtige and Unterkunftgeber.
4. Prepare the required official document and, if applicable, a valid passport or a newborn’s birth certificate.
5. Submit the form in person, by courier or by post within three days of moving in.
6. Keep the Meldebestätigung and request a new registration if your address changes.