Wohnungsgeberbestätigung or proof of residence is a form that refers to a confirmation of residence provided by the landlord or property owner to the tenant. This document is required by German law and must be submitted to the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) when a person moves into a new residence.

In Germany, the official proof of residence is a document called the Meldebescheinigung. You receive this after completing the "Anmeldung" (registration) process at your local Bürgeramt (Citizens' Office), which you are legally required to do within 14 days of moving into a new home. To get this certificate, you must present your passport and a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung—a specific form signed by your landlord confirming that you have moved in. This certificate is arguably the most important piece of paper you will own in Germany; you cannot open a bank account, sign up for a mobile phone contract, or register for health insurance without it. For 2026, some cities have introduced digital registration "pre-checks," but the physical or digitally-signed certificate remains the gold standard. Note that a utility bill or a lease agreement, while useful in other countries, is often not accepted as official proof of residence in German administrative or legal contexts, which strictly require the government-stamped registration form.