Registration of Residence

According to the Registration Act Meldegesetz persons staying in Austria for more than three days are required to register their place of residence with the competent registration authority Gemeindeamt or Magistrat.

Registration is mandatory regardless of citizenship or residence status.

Registration Deadlines

Registration of residence must be completed no later than three days after moving in.

An exception to the registration requirement applies only if the stay does not exceed three 

days.

Registration in Private Accommodation

If residing in private accommodation apartment house rented housing:

• Registration must be carried out in person at the competent registration authority responsible for the place of residence
• A completed registration form must be submitted
• The form must contain the signature of the person providing the accommodation owner, landlord property management company etc. 

Persons living in private accommodation who do not use organized housing within the basic welfare system Grundversorgung must after registering their residence:

1. Register with the competent federal police office
2. If necessary submit an application for basic welfare support for persons living privately 

Accommodation in Temporary Facilities Hotels Guesthouses

If staying in a hotel or other accommodation facility the registration obligation is fulfilled in accordance with guest registration legislation.

As a rule a guest registration form is completed and the registration is carried out by the owner or administration of the establishment.

Accommodation in Organized Housing

If placed in organized accommodation within the basic welfare system registration of residence is carried out with the support of or directly by the accommodation provider.

The person must provide the necessary personal data and documents for entry into the Central Register of Residents Zentrales Melderegister ZMR.

Administrative Fee

Registration of residence and deregistration are usually free of charge the first time.

An administrative fee may be charged in cases of:

• Issuance of additional confirmations or certificates from the register
• Obtaining an extract from the Central Register of Resident
• Processing special requests or issuing duplicate documents 

The amount of the fee is determined in accordance with the applicable tariffs of the federal province or municipality.

Useful Official Resources

• Registration Act and official information https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/leben_in_oesterreich/wohnsitz/1.html 
• Meldezettel form registration form https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/dam/jcr:5e1c87c0-bb27-4c59-92b4-5e8f7ff6288a/meldezettel.pdf  
• Information about the Central Register of Residents ZMR   https://www.bmi.gv.at/312/start.aspx 
• Austrian government online services portal   https://www.oesterreich.gv.at 

Attention! It is recommended to check opening hours and submission procedures in advance on the website of the respective municipality or Magistrat at your place of residence.