Germany

The Meldeschein in Germany

Germany transmits nothing for hotel guests. A foreign guest fills in and signs a Meldeschein on the day of arrival, the establishment compares it with the passport and keeps it — one year after departure, destroyed within three months after that.

The rule

Bundesmeldegesetz §§ 29–30, since 1 January 2025 only for foreign guests: German citizens no longer fill one in. The form asks for arrival, departure, name, birth date, nationalities, address and the passport number.

What the app does

It reads the document and prints the Meldeschein with a line for the signature, keeps it encrypted for the retention period, and exports the file format the BeherbMeldV describes.

What is not possible

An ordinary app cannot replace the signature: the law allows an electronic Meldeschein only through the eID or strong-customer-authentication routes of § 29(5). Printed and signed stays the safe way.

FAQ

FAQ

Do German guests sign?

No, since January 2025 only foreign guests.

How long is it kept?

One year after departure, destroyed within three months after that.

Is there an API?

No. Nothing is transmitted; the police ask to see the forms.

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