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What should I do if I'm a German citizen without recent residence registration but need to apply for a visa in Thailand?

Thai VisaDTVVisa Application ProcessGerman CitizenshipResidency IssuesEmbassy Requirements
May 17, 2025
22 days ago
Jeannine-Susann *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, I want to apply for the DTV in germany because I will be there to visit my family before going to Thailand. I'm a german citizen but I'm not registered in germany for more than 2 years as I'm travelling the world. Now I read that they want an official proof of registration of the residence in germany.

Is anybody here who has the same situation and any experience with this?

Update: Thank you for the help so far. For all who understand german I attach a screenshot of the website of the embassy of Berlin. I think it's easier to understand what I mean.

Thank you in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, a German citizen who has not been registered in Germany for over two years due to traveling, seeks advice on applying for a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) while he is in Germany to visit family. He learns that proof of residency is typically required, but several commenters suggest alternative methods, such as using an old ID or a temporary address, and some mention not needing to be a resident to apply for a DTV. There are discussions about the complications of registering in Germany and the associated responsibilities like tax obligations.
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Christoph ********
I was in the same situation. I just used a old scan from my ID card, with my old address in Germany.
22 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Christoph *******
 Thank you, unfortunately I don't have that.
22 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
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Shandy ********
Would there be a problem with registering in Germany and then de-registering in a couple months? Because registering comes with a few requirements, like gettig health insurance, which I don't know if you care to do. Because I don't think you want to be registered for a long period if you don't live there--they'll bother you about filing your taxes. And correct me if I'm wrong, de-registering in Germany won't be so simple. You'll have to provide proof of your new foreign address, but I'm sure that you know this because you de-registered previously.
22 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shandy *******
 Staying registered for a couple of months is no option. Maybe I register for the duration the process needs, but first I look for other possibilities ☺️
22 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
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Elías ********
I don't know how that works in Germany, but in my country, you're always a "resident" (for official matters) even if you don't live there, you can always issue or reissue passport and national ID cards without any conditions. I know that other countries have a system where if you live more than xx months abroad, you become an "overseas resident".
22 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Elías *******
 So I'm still a german citizen and I also got a new passport this year in germany, but I don't have an official registration letter, what they want.
22 days ago
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Andreas *********
@Jeannine-Susann ********
 you could try, use your German passport and your AirBnB bill as the proof that you have entered the country and apply from there. You do NOT need to be a resident of the country where you apply, for a DTV application. The requirement for a residency on the website of the Thai Embassy is formally wrong! . . . . . . . . This will become apparent to you once you start the process of E-visa application . . . . . . Just remember: You can apply for the DTV in every neighbour country of Thailand, and you do not have to be "resident" in order to apply for the DTV. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Even in Germany, there are only a few visa classes that need proof of residency. A turkish citizen on a tourist visa theoretically could apply by the Berlin Thai embassy for a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, if he fulfills the financial requirements
21 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andreas ********
 So my idea now is as you wrote to try it with passport and Airbnb. Then I will see.
21 days ago
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Shandy ********
@Jeannine-Susann ********
 Wish you the best. Just FYI, I did see an account on this Facebook group of a non-EU citizen who tried to apply for the DTV while in the Netherlands. He didn't say what visa he was on, but he probably entered the EU visa-free. He then was requested to provide his residence document, which he was unable to provide. The difference here is that you're actually a citizen of the country, so maybe you'll have better luck.
21 days ago
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Shandy ********
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Anonymous ******************
German driving license? ID card? You don't have a German bank account?
22 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymer Teilnehmer 173 I have a german passport, driving license and bank account. But I'm not a german resident anymore and as I read they want an official certificate or ID card with the address. On the passport and drivers license there is not address. At the back account there is just a postal address.
22 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
@Jeannine-Susann ********
 I'd have thought your most up to date bank statement with address would suffice
22 days ago
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Dany ********
@Jeannine-Susann ********
 you dont have a local ID anymore? but any letterhead to your german adress should be sufficient. the bank letter or any other letter
22 days ago
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Shandy ********
@Dany *******
 Are you an American? The U.S. has no system of registration like pretty much all EU countries do, and it's fairly easy for a U.S. citizen to pretend to be a resident with a driver's license or other document while actually not living there. Not so for EU citizens.
22 days ago
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Dany ********
@Shandy *******
 and germany has 3 thai embassies. with the location check they want to see if you use the correct one. the provided adress has to be assigned to that specific embassy. its determined by the „Bundesland“ in germany.
21 days ago
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Dany ********
@Shandy *******
 i am a german… and for a visa application you are not asked to provide a registration proof or residency proof. you are asked to proof your current location and that is all. you can use allmost all thai embassies around the world and they will allways ask for a proof of location. in many cases that is an entry stamp and hotel booking IF you are a foreigner. in case of your „local“ thai embassy its usualy proven by utility bill, bank letterhead or the local ID or any other paper stating your adress. OP has a special situation and is advised to ask the embassy directly or just try a letterhead.
21 days ago
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Shandy ********
@Dany *******
 Yes, many (or perhaps most) Thai embassies will accept a utility bill or bank letterhead as residency proof, but that is because that is all that's required to establish residency in a lot of countries. However, residency has a specific meaning in Germany and it won't be proven by a driver's license. Also, apparently you can be fined by the German authorities for establishing residency there for any reason besides living there, which doing so only to apply for a visa would be.
21 days ago
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Dany ********
@Shandy *******
 i will say it again: you do NOT need a proof of residency. you need a proof of location to demonstrate the physical presence in the country and to determine the correct embassy… when i fly to XYZ country and use their thai embassy (as a tourist) then i dont have residency there either… this is not about residency at all.
21 days ago
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Shandy ********
@Dany *******
 I don't know the answer because I haven't applied in Germany. The Frankfurt DTV application instruction page (
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says that German nationals must submit either a registration certificate or a German ID card. Maybe they accept alternatives, but you'd have to apply to find out the answer.
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ee3) says that German nationals must submit either a registration certificate or a German ID card. Maybe they accept alternatives, but you'd have to apply to find out the answer.
20 days ago
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Andreas *********
@Shandy *******
 the German ID card got the resident adress on the back side. She says her German ID card is blank. The passport doesn't have an adress in it
20 days ago
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Shandy ********
@Andreas ********
 I think she said she doesn't have her German ID card, maybe because she no longer lives in Germany. The fastest way to find out would be to just email the embassy and ask if they'll accept an Airbnb address.
20 days ago
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Andreas *********
@Shandy *******
 that's what I recommended. She doesn't have an entry stamp in her passport, so no proof that she currently is inside Germany. However, the AirBnB receipt plus her German passport will suffice. You are not required to be resident of the country where you apply for the DTV, and definitely also not in Germany. . . . that embassy text refers to other visa categories
20 days ago
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Andreas *********
@Dany *******
 exactly. The wording on the website of the Thai Embassy Berlin she posted, is misleading. She does not need to be resident in the country where she applies for the DTV. The only problem is, as a German passport holder, she does not receive an entry stamp at the border when she enters Thailand. When you apply in Vietnam or Cambodia, you just upload that entry stamp as proof of being inside the country where you apply. Her only proof that she is staying inside Germany as a tourist, would be that AirBnB bill. Taking up "real" residency in Germany is much more complicated and would open a whole can of worms!
21 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dany *******
 When I'm in germany I rent an Airbnb. As I read it's not enough for the embassy, they want an official registration. In my bank account is actually just a postal address from a friend. I can change it back to my old address, but I'm not sure if it will be enough.
22 days ago
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Rex ******
@Jeannine-Susann ********
 Normally, all u need is ur name and one address from bank, utility bill or police.
21 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rex *****
 Ok thank you. I have an utility bill, maybe it works.
21 days ago
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Andreas *********
@Jeannine-Susann ********
 you are receiving a lot of unrelated info here, as most people are not common with the special laws and regulations in Germany regarding residency, proofs of address, bank accounts et cetera. Mainly Dany Nomads' advice is completely useless as he is not aware that you canot fulfill the requirements asked on the Berlin embassy website, no matter how you turn or twist it
21 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andreas ********
 Thank you, I didn't know until now that germany is so specific in that.
21 days ago
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Dany ********
@Jeannine-Susann ********
 you could send a mail to the embassy and ask them this specific question. the proof of location is just to make sure that you are using the correct embassy, nothing more. in other countries thats an entry stamp in your passport and maybe a hotel booking.
22 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dany *******
 Thank you, I will do that.
22 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
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Michael **********
following. If my application get rejected I'm also thinking of applying back in Europe but I'm not a resident there. I believe I could just get my residence there by going to the local municipality and set my residence back there but I also wonder if there's any other way that could save me from doing that
22 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *********
 Where do you apply actually? I also thought about getting a resident for the time of the application but then I have to pay taxes for that time. I hoped that there is another possibility.
22 days ago
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Dany ********
@Jeannine-Susann ********
 a registration doesnt make you automatically a tax resident. i guess it is other cost that would occur so.
22 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dany *******
 You even pay taxes in germany when you just have an apartment where you could live in, even if your not there. So when I officially register I have to deal with several offices-tax office, health insurance, school office (I have 3 children). It means a lot of work and communication which I like to avoid ☺️
22 days ago
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Shandy ********
@Jeannine-Susann ********
 It would be much easier for you to go to one of the countries close to Thailand, which allow non-residents to apply, like Vietnam, Indonesia, or Taiwan. But you mentioned three children? Doesn't seem like the easiest thing to arrange accommodations for everyone while you wait for your visa decision. Where is your residence now? Can you apply there, before going to Thailand?
22 days ago
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Jeannine-Susann *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shandy *******
 Yes we are a family of 5 and going to a country close to Thailand is the other option. Thank you so much
21 days ago
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Andreas *********
@Jeannine-Susann ********
 applying in Vietnam or Vientiane/Laos is the easier option, as you can prove by the stamp in your passport that you have entered their country. However in Vientiane, AFAIK the embassy requires a proof that you had a minimum of 500,000 THB in your account for the last three months
21 days ago
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Andreas *********
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