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Moving to Göttingen: Anmeldung, foreigners office & first 30 days

Register your address in Göttingen, contact the foreigners office (it has a separate team for students), find English-speaking doctors and plan your first month, with official sources for every step.

Last checked: 2026-10-21 · State: Lower Saxony

In short: In Göttingen you can only register your address in person with an appointment at the New City Hall (Neues Rathaus, Hiroshimaplatz 1-4). The city says it usually releases some same-day appointments early in the morning. Online registration is not possible if you're moving in from abroad or only have an electronic residence permit (eAT). (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung von Neubürgern (einschließlich Nebenwohnsitz), last checked 2026-10-21) (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung einer Wohnung: Elektronische Wohnsitzanmeldung, last checked 2026-10-21)

1. Anmeldung (address registration)

Deadline: within two weeks of moving in. (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung einer Wohnung: Elektronische Wohnsitzanmeldung, last checked 2026-10-21)

Booking:

• Book online at termin.goettingen.de under the registration office (Einwohnerangelegenheiten). Book only one appointment, because the city may delete duplicates. Group appointments for several people are possible. (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung von Neubürgern (einschließlich Nebenwohnsitz), last checked 2026-10-21)
• Tip from the city itself: some short-notice appointments for the same day are usually released early in the morning. (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung von Neubürgern (einschließlich Nebenwohnsitz), last checked 2026-10-21)
• If you really can't get an online slot, you can draw an emergency ticket in the waiting area during opening hours. The city asks you to do this only in very urgent cases. (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung von Neubürgern (einschließlich Nebenwohnsitz), last checked 2026-10-21)
• Opening hours: Mon 08:00–15:00, Tue 08:00–15:00, Wed 08:00–12:00, Thu 08:00–17:00, Fri 08:00–12:00. Phone: 0551/400-4044 (Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri 10:00–11:30), Meldeamt@goettingen.de. (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung von Neubürgern (einschließlich Nebenwohnsitz), last checked 2026-10-21) (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung einer Wohnung: Elektronische Wohnsitzanmeldung, last checked 2026-10-21)

Documents: (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung von Neubürgern (einschließlich Nebenwohnsitz), last checked 2026-10-21)

• Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord's confirmation). A rental contract is not enough. Göttingen-specific: it must be presented on paper, and sending it by email is no longer allowed.
• Proof of identity: ID card if you have one, otherwise your passport.

Online option: possible with a German ID card with online function or an EU/EEA eID card, an NFC smartphone with the AusweisApp, your PIN and a BundID account. The city says the online service currently does not work with an eAT, not for moves from abroad, and only for adults. Processing usually takes up to three working days. Afterwards you have 30 days to download your registration certificate. (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung einer Wohnung: Elektronische Wohnsitzanmeldung, last checked 2026-10-21)

Branch offices: the Geismar branch takes cash only and can't issue provisional documents or take photos. Grone and Weende can issue provisional documents. (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung von Neubürgern (einschließlich Nebenwohnsitz), last checked 2026-10-21)

2. Foreigners office (Ausländerbehörde)

• Where: New City Hall, Hiroshimaplatz 1-4. Personal meetings are by individual appointment only. (Stadt Göttingen – Ausländerangelegenheiten, last checked 2026-10-21)
• How to get an appointment: by phone during the phone hours (Mondays 13:30–14:30) or by email to auslaenderstelle@goettingen.de. (Stadt Göttingen – Ausländerangelegenheiten, last checked 2026-10-21)
• Students have their own contact table, split by the first letter of your surname, plus a separate contact for Goethe/Erasmus. Look up your current contact on the city page, because names change. (Stadt Göttingen – Ausländerangelegenheiten, last checked 2026-10-21)
• Documents for a residence permit (city list): national passport, proof of financing, proof of health insurance, proof of the purpose of your stay, rental contract, biometric photo. Fees: €0–250. (Stadt Göttingen – Ausländerangelegenheiten, last checked 2026-10-21)
• The city offers the application form in English ("Application for granting a residence permit / settlement permit") and a "Welcome to Göttingen" leaflet for download. (Stadt Göttingen – Ausländerangelegenheiten, last checked 2026-10-21)
• The visa-extension form is only for short visits (usually up to 3 months). If you're staying longer, use the residence-permit application instead. (Stadt Göttingen – Ausländerangelegenheiten, last checked 2026-10-21)

3. English-speaking doctors

• On 116117.de (English page), type Göttingen into "Ort oder PLZ eingeben" to list practices where English is spoken. Ideally book by phone. (116117.de – English, last checked 2026-10-21)
• The 116117 phone line for out-of-hours care is German only. In a life-threatening emergency, call 112. (116117.de – English, last checked 2026-10-21)
• gesund.bund.de has a doctor search with a "Foreign languages" filter (English included). (gesund.bund.de – Doctor search, last checked 2026-10-21)

4. Students: blocked account and visa money

• Göttingen's list of residence-permit documents includes proof of financing. (Stadt Göttingen – Ausländerangelegenheiten, last checked 2026-10-21)
• For study, the German mission in Jakarta lists €992 net per month in 2026. Check your own mission's page for the figure that applies to you. (Deutsche Botschaft Jakarta (Auswärtiges Amt) – Lebensunterhaltssicherung im Jahr 2026, last checked 2026-10-21)
• You can choose your blocked-account provider freely, and its fees come on top of the blocked amount. After you arrive, the foreigners office becomes the blocked beneficiary. (Auswärtiges Amt – Sperrkonto eröffnen und schließen, last checked 2026-10-21)

5. Your first 30 days in Göttingen

1. Before arrival or day 1: Try to book the Anmeldung appointment. If nothing is free, check again early in the morning. (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung von Neubürgern (einschließlich Nebenwohnsitz), last checked 2026-10-21)
2. Get the landlord form on paper. Göttingen won't accept it by email. (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung von Neubürgern (einschließlich Nebenwohnsitz), last checked 2026-10-21)
3. Within 14 days: Register in person, bringing your passport and the paper landlord form. (Stadt Göttingen – Anmeldung von Neubürgern (einschließlich Nebenwohnsitz), last checked 2026-10-21)
4. Non-EU: Email auslaenderstelle@goettingen.de or call on Monday 13:30–14:30. Prepare the English application form and the documents listed above. (Stadt Göttingen – Ausländerangelegenheiten, last checked 2026-10-21)
5. Find a GP on 116117.de (English filter) before you need one. (116117.de – English, last checked 2026-10-21)