Germany applies two independent tests, either of which triggers full tax residency (unlimited tax liability on worldwide income): Wohnsitz (maintaining a permanent home/dwelling in Germany) or Gewöhnlicher Aufenthalt (habitual abode, generally more than 6 months/183 days in a continuous period). Critically, Wohnsitz residency begins the moment someone registers a German address (Anmeldung) — not after accumulating 183 days — so registering an apartment immediately triggers German tax residency and worldwide income taxation, regardless of actual physical presence. Germany uses the calendar year (January-December) for residency counting, not a rolling 12-month window.
Two independent residency triggers: Wohnsitz (permanent home/dwelling) or Gewöhnlicher Aufenthalt (habitual abode, >183 days).
Wohnsitz residency starts on the date of Anmeldung (German address registration) — not after 183 days — a common surprise for new arrivals.
Germany counts residency by calendar year (Jan-Dec), not a rolling 12-month window.
Full (unlimited) tax liability means worldwide income — salary, rental income, foreign dividends, most capital gains — is all taxable in Germany.
Required Documents
Anmeldung (address registration) certificate
Tax ID (Steuer-ID)
Common Mistakes
Assuming tax residency only begins after 183 days — registering a German address (Anmeldung) triggers Wohnsitz-based residency immediately, regardless of day count.
Confusing Germany's calendar-year residency counting with the rolling 12-month approach used in some other jurisdictions.