A checklist to moving out of Germany for good

This is it. That long dreaded moment. That next stage in your life. No matter how you are approaching this event, you know you will be soon leaving Germany for good.

Alongside the emotional roller-coaster of leaving job, studies, friends or family behind, you also need to prepare for all the practical and administrative steps ahead. Think about how Germany made it difficult to move here; do you really think they are going to make it easy for you when leaving?

It doesn’t matter if you moved to Germany 6 years or 6 months ago, it’s important to have everything in order and not leave any loose end behind. I have assembled this moving out of Germany checklist to that effect. Hope this helps you to manage de-registration from Germany.

Feel free to ask questions in the comments section. I answer every one of them.

Bastien – Settle in Berlin

My moving out of Germany checklist

5-months before departure

• Accomodation/Flat: Let your landlord know that you will be leaving the country and hand-out a notice. Most contracts require this 3 months in advance. Plan any renovation works that might have been included in the contract too. If you live in a WG, check with your flatmates how it impacts the contracts and how they share the rent. Some landlords will allow a sub-rental situation to replace you in the WG. You can use this termination notice template for that.
• Electricity/Gas contracts: Get in touch with your electricity and gas suppliers to terminate the contract as well. 
  • How to terminate your contract with your electricity provider.
  • How to terminate your contract with your gas provider.
• Phone/Internet: Get in touch with your phone or internet providers to let them know that you would like to end the contract.  Exception for the minimum duration is the case of moving abroad. Subject to the TKG-Novelle §46 VIII, customers who move abroad and who are not able to reach the service of their previous provider there, can cancel their contract with a three months period of notice even if the minimum duration of their contract is not over yet.
  • How to terminate your internet ISP service
  • Use this template to terminate mobile phone contracts.
• Gym & club memberships: This one can get a bit tricky. A German court has ruled sometime ago that moving to a different city was not a valid reason to terminate a gym membership contract early. However, moving you to a different country should grant an early termination right. You can also try to find somebody else to take over your contract, if simply ending the contract is not possible.
• Job: Take to your current employer if you have one and let them know if good enough time that you will be leaving the company. Make sure to to plan ahead where your last salary will be transferred, if you close your bank account before the end. If you need a termination notice template in German, here is one.
• Insurances: This might be a good time to get in touch with your insurance company/broker to either terminate your policies, or continue paying them from abroad or if possible transfer the contract to a local branch.
• University: If you are a student, you might want to check with your university if you need to unroll from it or other requirements.
• Furniture: Start planning what stuff you are going to keep and what you are going to sell.
• Children: If you have any kids, let the school or kita know that you will be moving out.
• Unemployment benefits: If you haven’t found a job in the new country but you can claim unemployment benefits in Germany, check if it’s possible to transfer those benefits to the new country’s system. This is often doable, especially within the E.U. Here is more information about that here in English, and how to do it here in German.
• Taxes – Finanzamt: Check your situation as a tax-payer. If you leave Germany for good and don’t come back later to live here more than 183 days a year, it’s likely that you won’t be taxable in Germany anymore. However, if you have property or assets generating income in Germany, or if you spend more than 183 days a year here, it is likely you will still need to pay taxes.

Moving out of Germany checklist: 2 months before departure

• TV tax: Get in touch with the GEZ people and let them know that you will be leaving the country. It’s good enough reason for you to stop paying the Rundfunkbeitrag. You can use this termination notice letter template for that.
• Bank accounts: Let your bank know about your departure so you can book an appointment with your bank counselor if needed and cash-out any remaining money you have in your accounts. You can also terminate most contracts with a simple from, indicating the bank account to transfer it all to.
• Moving your stuff: Book a moving company to send the stuff you want to keep back home. You may want to look at services like Eco Parcel for only a few boxes or Move24/Movinga for a whole house/flat.
• Flat/Accommodation: Talk with your landlord to determine when and how you will get your deposit back. There is unfortunately no maximum legal timeline for the landlord to return the money although 4 weeks after is considered reasonable.
• Tax return: Check with your Steuerberater for any tax related questions. You will be able to submit a tax return after leaving Germany.
  • How to do your tax return after leaving Germany.
• Pension contributions refund: If you are not an EU citizen and worked with Germany for less than 5 years, you are eligible to a refund on your pension contributions during that time. It can be a few thousand euros sometimes!
  • How to get a pension refund.

Moving out of Germany checklist: 1-3 weeks before departure

• Flat/Accommodation: Do the last repairs in your flat/home if your tenancy contract planned for this. When you leave your home, make a picture of all the utilities meters (electricity, gas, water). It will be useful to prove your consumption to your suppliers or/and landlord.
• Flat/Accommodation: Inspect the place with the landlord and return the key. Your landlord should sign a paper during the handover certifying that the place is in order and that all key copies were returned.
• Letters – Post: Set-up a post forwarding contact with the DeutschePost (Nachsendeantrag) , just to make sure you don’t miss any importance letters or documents after leaving the country. You can do that online here.
• Goodbyes: Go party and enjoy the Berlin scene one last time.
• Bürgeramt registration: Fill-up an “Abmeldung” form (this form here for Berlin) to unregister at the Bürgeramt. This can be done via post too. It must be done until maximum 2 weeks after moving out of the place.
• Finanzamt deregistration (for self-employed people): Make sure to let the Finanzamt know that you are leaving the country as well (this form here for Berlin).

I hope this little moving out of Germany checklist was helpful. Don’t hesitate to add points in the comments that might be useful for other people.

FAQs about leaving Germany permanently

Do I really need to deregister (Abmeldung) if i’m leaving Germany permanently?

Absolutely. Deregistration (Abmeldung) is one of the few non-negotiables. Without your Abmeldebescheinigung you can still be billed for things like health insurance or the TV fee and it complicates taxes and official correspondence. Treat it as your official “i’ve moved abroad” confirmation.

Can I deregister before i actually leave?

Usually you should deregister on or very close to your departure date. Some cities allow a few days in advance but rules vary by Bürgeramt. If in doubt, check your local office – it’s better to confirm than to guess.

How do i cancel my German bank account from abroad?

Most banks accept a signed cancellation letter plus ID and a copy of your Abmeldung by mail or email. Wait until any pending salary, refunds or direct debits are fully cleared before closing the account to avoid returned payments.

Do I still need to file a german tax return after i’ve moved out?

Maybe. If you had german taxable income in the part of the year you lived in germany, you may still need to file. Also capital gains, rental income or final employment income can create obligations. Ask your local Finanzamt or a steuerberater if you’re unsure.

What should I do about my pension contributions?

Your contributions remain recorded. In many cases you can leave the contributions and claim your pension later, even if you live abroad. Non-EU citizens may have refund options in specific circumstances, something we’ve covered in the dedicated guide linked above.

What about mobile, gym or internet contracts – can I cancel early?

Many contracts can be terminated early in case of relocation abroad, but providers often require proof (your Abmeldung usually works). Telecommunications contracts are covered by specific rules, so contact each provider as soon as you know your move date.

Do I have to pay the tv fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) after i leave?

No, not if you deregister correctly. You must inform the Beitragsservice and provide your Abmeldebescheinigung so they can stop the fee from the date you moved out.

What happens to my SCHUFA record when I leave Germany?

SCHUFA stays linked to accounts and contracts until they’re closed or expired. If you close accounts and settle debts before leaving, the record will reflect that. Keep copies of final statements and cancellation confirmations as proof.

How do I handle my mail after I leave?

Set up a Deutsche Post Nachsendeauftrag to forward mail abroad (available for a limited period). Also give key contacts and institutions your new address and consider using a trusted friend, family member or a mail-handling service to monitor important documents.

Can I keep my German phone number after leaving?

Sometimes. Some providers let you convert to prepaid or keep the number on a minimal plan. If you need the number for banking 2FA or important accounts, ask your provider about options before cancelling.

Do I need to inform the Ausländerbehörde or cancel my residence permit?

If you hold a residence permit, notify the Ausländerbehörde. Requirements differ by permit type, but sending your Abmeldung and departure details is standard practice and keeps your record tidy if you ever return.

What if I forget to deregister?

You can usually deregister by post after leaving – send the Abmeldeformular, a copy of your ID and any requested proof to your former Bürgeramt. It’s better to fix it late than to leave the issue unresolved and risk ongoing bills or tax confusion.

Can I move out temporarily and skip deregistration?

If your absence is under about six months many people remain registered; longer absences generally require deregistration. The exact threshold can vary, so check locally if your situation is borderline.

Do I need to notify my landlord if I move abroad early?

Yes. Your normal Kündigungsfrist (notice period) applies unless you’ve negotiated otherwise. Provide written notice and keep proof of delivery.

What if I own property in Germany but no longer live here?

Owning property creates ongoing obligations: property tax, maintenance and rental income declarations. You’ll still have to file any necessary German tax returns for property income.

Sources & references

1. Verbraucherzentrale. “Rundfunkbeitrag abmelden: So geht’s.” Verbraucherzentrale.de. Last modified June 26, 2025. https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/wissen/digitale-welt/fernsehen/rundfunkbeitrag-abmelden-so-gehts-108297.
2. Bundesverwaltungsamt. *Info-ABC für Ihren Schritt ins Ausland.* PDF. https://www.bva.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Aufgaben/VMII/Auswandern/Publikationen/Basiswissen_fuer_Ihren_Schritt_ins_Ausland.pdf. }
3. Deutsche Rentenversicherung. “International.” *Deutsche Rentenversicherung*, English. https://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/DRV/EN/International/international_node.html.
4. Germany. Telecommunications Act (§46 TKG) — Early termination rules for relocation. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tkg_2004/__46.html.
5. Deutsche Telekom. Umzug ins Ausland: So kündigen Sie Ihren Vertrag richtig. https://www.telekom.de/hilfe/vertrag-rechnung/vertrag/kuendigen/umzug-ausland?samChecked=true.
6. Wohin Auswandern. Auswandern Checkliste: Was Sie vor dem Umzug ins Ausland beachten sollten. https://www.wohin-auswandern.de/auswandern-checkliste.