Residence Registration Form in Austria – Its Meaning in Hungarian, Obtaining It, and Information

The Meldezettel is actually the form needed in Austria to obtain a proof of residence (Meldebestätigung). This form is used to provide data to be entered into the Zentrale Melderegister, the central residence register, when registering a new address, changing address, or deregistering an address. Based on this information, we receive the Meldebestätigung, or proof of residence.

Why Do I Need Meldezettel?

Anyone who lives permanently in Austria is required to register and report all minor persons living with them to the local authorities. For example, one must register when moving to an accommodation in Austria for the first time and establishing a new primary residence (in this case, the previous residence is simultaneously reported and relinquished), or when establishing a new secondary residence. For newborns, registration can be done simultaneously with submitting the birth certificate. This only requires filling out a Meldezettel form. In this case, no further registration with the local authorities is necessary.

Primary and Secondary Residence

The apartment that someone wants to make the center of their life is considered a primary residence. This can be determined, for example, by the time spent there, proximity to the workplace, or proximity to family members’ residences. It is not decisive whether the person in question calls the apartment their primary residence, but rather what emerges from the totality of life circumstances related to work, economy, and social relationships.

Secondary residences only show connections to a point in life, such as where people spend their leisure time or perform periodic activities. In Austria, people can establish any number of secondary residences, but only one primary residence.

The main residence affects several areas, such as voting rights, school attendance, kindergarten attendance, parking permits, and subsidies.

Requirements Related to the Reported

Basically, anyone who has a valid residence address in Austria can request a proof of residence from the appropriate local authority. The condition is that the accommodation must actually take place (and this is also confirmed by the host with the issuance of the Meldebestätigung).

The notification is mandatory within three days of occupying the new residence, otherwise, failure to do so constitutes an offense that can result in a fine of up to 726 euros, and in repeated cases, up to 2,180 euros. If someone registers without actually living at the specified location, this is considered a so-called fictitious registration offense, which is also illegal.

How can I access Meldezettel?

The Meldebehörde (registration authority) is always the authority responsible for the new address to be registered. This can be found at the municipal office in towns and cities, at the city hall in cities with county status, and in Vienna, at the respective district office.

Registration can be done in person, by courier, or by mail; it is not possible by fax or email. The registration requires the Meldezet form, which can be obtained from the competent authorities, is available in some tobacco shops, or can be downloaded and printed online. When registering in person, you will immediately receive the Meldebestätigung. Registration is free.

In addition to readable personal data, the Meldezet form also records religious affiliation. However, this is voluntary, and it is advisable to declare that the applicant has no religion. Otherwise, the specified denomination will contact you shortly and will collect a substantial mandatory contribution annually, which will be enforced if not paid.

On the form, the ZMR number must also be provided if known. This is a twelve-digit number used to identify authorities. The signature of the Meldepflichtige (registrant) and the Unterkunftgeber (accommodation provider), that is, the landlord’s signature, is also mandatory. In the case of independent property, the owner provides the accommodation themselves. Every person must fill out their own Meldezet form and submit it to the authority. At the relevant authority, they will help fill out the form if needed.

The following documents must be attached:

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

At the Reported Entity, minors must be reported by their guardian. Intellectually disabled individuals are reported by their adult representative.

The online service is also available for registration and deregistration. For the online request, which can be completed via Bürgerkarte, a processing time of approximately one week should be expected, and the Meldebestätigung will be received by mail. An administrative fee of 3 euros must be paid for the Meldebestätigung. If someone cancels a residence without re-registering, they can also do so on oesterreich.gv.at. However, it should be noted that after online deregistration, a new registration is not possible digitally. The Meldebescheinigung (proof of residence) remains valid until the address changes. If this happens, a new registration must be made.

Proof of Address for Homeless Individuals

Those without a permanent residence can obtain a proof of address if they can credibly prove that the center of their life has been exclusively located in a specific community area for at least one month, and can indicate a contact location that they regularly visit, such as a homeless shelter or social services office.

What can I do if the data changes?

If personal data changes, such as after marriage, no further notification needs to be made to the local authority. Name changes or the acquisition or loss of citizenship are also automatically transmitted and recorded in the ZMR.

What Can I Do If I Lose My Address Verification Certificate?

If the address certificate (Meldebestätigung) is lost, every person has the opportunity to request a reissue of the address certificate or obtain address registration information by presenting a photo ID at the appropriate local authority.

This requires an official request and notification by mail. The verification fee is 14.30 euros, for queries from the local address register it is 2.10 euros, and for queries from the central address register it is 3.30 euros.

Meldezettel Download

Below you can see what the Meldezettel looks like, but do not use these illustrations, and make sure you are using the most current version! The official Meldezettel version can be downloaded here.