This is what Ukrainians did not expect: a fine of 1000 euros for registration.

Ukrainians in Germany must register their place of residence within 14 days of moving, otherwise they may face a fine of up to 1000 euros.

According to the Registration Law in Germany, anyone moving to a new residence must register at the local office Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt within two weeks. Violating this deadline carries a fine of 10 to 1000 euros, although in practice such strict penalties are rarely applied.

Registering a place of residence (Anmeldung bei der Meldebehörde) is a necessary condition for normal life in Germany. The document Anmeldebescheinigung, issued after registration, is needed to open a bank account, obtain health insurance, get a residency permit, enroll a child in school, and even buy a SIM card.

To register, you need to have:

• Foreign passport or residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel)
• Written confirmation from the landlord (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
• Lease agreement
• Marriage or birth documents (when registering a family)

In large cities (Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Hamburg), prior online registration is required, while in smaller towns, live queues or phone registration are possible.

When filling out the Anmeldeformular form, it is important to correctly indicate religious affiliation, as this affects the church tax payment. Orthodox Christians and Muslims are exempt from this tax.

The German authorities pay special attention to combating fictitious registrations, and providing false information is punishable by a fine of up to 50,000 euros.

Ukrainian citizens who arrived under a humanitarian program or with a D-type visa are advised to register as soon as possible after arrival. This is crucial for accessing social services, including financial assistance, integration courses, and medical care.

When leaving Germany, it is necessary to cancel the registration, and when moving within the country, it is sufficient to register at the new address - the deregistration from the previous place is done automatically.