Registration in Graz
All residents of Austria must register their residence ("Meldezettel"). You can find more information here.
Who needs to register?
Every person living in Austria must register his or her residence with the competent authority. A separate registration form must be completed for each person living in the household. (Newborn) children must be registered by their parents.
For more information, see the website of the City of Graz or the municipality of your residence.
Registration deadline
All persons must register their residence with the competent authority within 3 working days (Mon-Fri) after moving into the accommodation.
Competent authority
In Graz, the Servicestellen der Stadt Graz (service centers of the city) are responsible for this process. You can book an appointment for this process online at relatively short notice. Book an appointment in the portal by clicking on "Servicestellen der Stadt Graz → Wohnsitz - An-, Ab- und Ummelden".
Outside of Graz, the district authority of the town in which you live is responsible.
Required documents
- Meldezettel form (filled out and signed by the accommodation provider and yourself)
- official photo ID (=passport or, for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, alternatively an identity card)
Further information can be found on the website of the City of Graz or the municipality in charge.
Main and secondary residence
The main residence is the center of living relations/interests. This is defined by criteria such as length of stay, location of workplace/place of study, residence of family members, etc. Find more information at österreich.gv.at.
Note: having a main residence is necessary for some benefits, such as the Klimaticket Steiermark for residents of Graz.
Costs
The registration process is free of charge.
Confirmation of registration
You will receive the registration confirmation ("Auszug aus dem zentralen Melderegister") from the competent authority after submitting the registration form. This confirmation is required for many further steps, such as opening a bank account.
Who needs to register?
All EU/EEA and Swiss nationals staying in Austria for more than 3 months have to register. Family members of EU/EEA citizens or Swiss citizens who are third-country nationals must also complete this registration.
The registration certificate is valid for in Austria, so if you move within Austria, you do not have to apply for it again.
If you do not carry out the registration at all or complete the process too late, an administrative fine in the amount of 50-250€ is due.
Registration deadline
You have 4 months from registration of residence ("Meldezettel") to complete the additional registration for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.
Competent authority
In Graz, the Amt der Steiermärkischen Landesregierung, Abteilung 3, Referat für Aufenthalts- und Sicherheitswesen is responsible for this registration. You can go to the office with the documents during their opening hours without an appointment.
Outside of Graz, the respective district authority ("Bezirkshauptmannschaft") of the place of residence is responsible.
Documents
- Completed application form
- Valid passport or identity card
- Proof of sufficient means of subsistence (e.g. bank statements).
- Comprehensive health insurance coverage covering all risks in Austria (e.g. e-card)
Further information on health insurance in Austria
- Staff members additionally: employment contract, 3 recent payment slips
- Students additionally: proof of admission/confirmation of enrollment
- Guest researchers additionally: letter of invitation, guest researcher agreement
If family members (spouse, children) move to Graz with you, you may need additional documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate) as proof of the family relationship.
Please note that foreign documents may need to be legalized (for example with the Apostille) and available in German or English.
Family members who are non-EU nationals
Family members such as spouses or children who are third-country nationals can apply for a "residence card for relatives". One of the prerequisites is that one lives in the same household with the reunifying person (=EU/EEA/Swiss national). Additional documents proving the family relationship must be submitted. These are for example a marriage/partnership certificate or a birth certificate. The residence card for relatives is valid for 5 years.
Costs
The EU registration certificate costs approx. 30€.
The residence card for relatives costs approx. 70€.
Changes
If your registered purpose of residence changes (for example from student to staff), you must inform the authorities in written form. This can have an impact on various areas of your life, such as your entitlement to social welfare.