What Is Kirchenaustritt?

Kirchenaustritt is the formal, legally binding process of leaving a church in Germany. Unlike in many other countries, church membership in Germany isn't just a personal matter — it's a legal status registered with the state. As long as you're officially a member of a tax-collecting church (primarily the Catholic Church or the Evangelical Protestant Church), a percentage of your income tax is automatically deducted from your salary as Kirchensteuer (church tax).

The Kirchensteuer rate is 8% of your income tax in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and 9% in all other states. For many people — especially international students and workers who registered a religion during their Anmeldung without realizing the consequences — this comes as an unpleasant surprise on their first payslip.

The only way to stop paying Kirchensteuer is to formally leave the church through the Kirchenaustritt process. Simply stopping attendance or writing a letter to your parish does not work. You must make a legal declaration at a government office.

Good to know: Kirchenaustritt is a civil (state) process, not a religious one. The church does not decide whether to accept your exit — you declare it to a government office and it takes legal effect regardless of the church's position.

How Much Does Kirchenaustritt Cost?

The cost of Kirchenaustritt varies by state (Bundesland). In several states it's completely free, while others charge an administrative fee of up to 31 euros. Here's a breakdown:

State (Bundesland) Cost
Baden-WürttembergFree
Bayern (Bavaria)31 EUR
BerlinFree
BrandenburgFree
BremenFree
Hamburg31 EUR
Hessen25-30 EUR (varies by municipality)
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern10 EUR
Niedersachsen25 EUR
Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW)30 EUR
Rheinland-Pfalz20-30 EUR
Saarland25 EUR
Sachsen (Saxony)Free
Sachsen-Anhalt25 EUR
Schleswig-Holstein10 EUR
Thüringen15 EUR

Pro tip: Even if your state charges a fee, think about how much you're paying in Kirchensteuer per month. For most working people, the Kirchenaustritt fee pays for itself within weeks.

Where to Go for Kirchenaustritt

Unlike many other bureaucratic processes in Germany, the Kirchenaustritt office varies by state. There is no single rule that applies everywhere.

Standesamt (Civil Registry Office) — Most States

In the majority of German states, you go to the Standesamt (civil registry office) in your city or municipality. This is the same office that handles marriages, births, and deaths. Search for "Standesamt" + your city name to find the right office and book an appointment.

Amtsgericht (District Court) — Berlin and Brandenburg

In Berlin and Brandenburg, the Kirchenaustritt is handled by the Amtsgericht (district court), not the Standesamt. In Berlin, the responsible court is the Amtsgericht Charlottenburg (for most cases). You can book a Kirchenaustritt Termin online through the Berlin courts website.

Some States Allow Both

A few states allow you to make the declaration at either the Standesamt or the Amtsgericht. When in doubt, call your local Standesamt first — they'll direct you to the right place if they don't handle it themselves.

Important: You almost always need an appointment (Termin). Do not show up without one — especially in cities like Berlin, where appointment slots can fill up weeks in advance. Book your Kirchenaustritt Termin as soon as you've decided.

Documents You Need

Before your appointment, make sure you have the following documents ready. Missing even one can mean rebooking and waiting again.

  • Valid ID or passport (Personalausweis or Reisepass) — the original, not a copy
  • Current Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate) — this proves your registered address. If you don't have a recent one, you can request it from your Bürgeramt. Some offices accept one that's up to 6 months old
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable) — sometimes required if you were married in a church ceremony
  • Cash or EC card for the fee — if your state charges a fee, not all offices accept card payments. Bring cash to be safe

At the appointment, you'll fill out a Kirchenaustrittsformular (also called an Austrittserklärung) — the official declaration of church exit. In some offices, they give you the form on the spot; in others, you can download and fill it out beforehand from the office's website.

Pro tip: Search for "Kirchenaustritt Formular [your city]" to find the form you can print and fill out ahead of time. This speeds up the appointment significantly.

Step-by-Step Kirchenaustritt Process

Here's exactly what to do, from start to finish:

  1. Find the right office — Determine whether you need to go to the Standesamt or Amtsgericht in your area. Search online or call your local Bürgeramt to ask.
  2. Book an appointment (Termin) — Go to the office's website and book a Kirchenaustritt appointment. In popular cities, plan at least 2-3 weeks ahead.
  3. Gather your documents — Passport/ID, Meldebescheinigung, and cash for the fee (if applicable). Print the Austrittserklärung form if it's available online.
  4. Attend the appointment — Go in person. The appointment itself is quick — usually 10 to 15 minutes. A clerk will verify your identity and walk you through the form.
  5. Sign the declaration — You'll sign the Austrittserklärung in front of the clerk. This is the legally binding act.
  6. Pay the fee — If your state charges a fee, pay it at the counter. You'll receive a receipt.
  7. Receive your confirmation — You'll get a Kirchenaustrittsbescheinigung (certificate of church exit). Keep this document safe — you may need it for your employer or the Finanzamt.
  8. Inform your employer — Give a copy of the Bescheinigung to your employer's HR or payroll department so they can stop withholding Kirchensteuer from your salary. In many cases, the Finanzamt notifies your employer automatically via the ELStAM system, but providing the certificate directly speeds things up.

How Long Until Kirchensteuer Stops?

The Kirchenaustritt typically takes legal effect from the first day of the month following your declaration. For example, if you declare your exit on March 15, the Kirchenaustritt takes effect on April 1.

In practice, here's the timeline:

  • Legal effect: First of the following month (in most states). In some states like Bavaria, it takes effect immediately or at the end of the current month.
  • Employer payroll update: Your employer should stop deducting Kirchensteuer within 1-2 months. The Finanzamt updates the ELStAM database (electronic tax records), which your employer retrieves automatically.
  • Finanzamt records: The Finanzamt is notified by the Standesamt or Amtsgericht. You don't need to do anything extra — but handing your certificate to your employer can accelerate the process.

Pro tip: Check your payslips for the next 2 months after your Kirchenaustritt. If Kirchensteuer is still being deducted after 2 months, contact your employer's payroll department and show them your Kirchenaustrittsbescheinigung.

Consequences of Kirchenaustritt

Leaving the church has financial benefits, but there are some things you should be aware of. Here's an honest breakdown:

What Changes

  • No more Kirchensteuer — this is the main reason most people leave. Depending on your income, this can save you hundreds or even thousands of euros per year.
  • No church wedding — you can no longer get married in a church ceremony (at least not in the church you left). A civil ceremony at the Standesamt is not affected.
  • Church burial restrictions — some parishes may restrict or refuse a church funeral service, though many still allow it at their discretion.
  • Cannot be a godparent — in the Catholic Church, you can no longer serve as a godparent (Pate/Patin). Protestant churches may have different rules.
  • Kindergarten priority — some church-run kindergartens (especially Catholic ones) may deprioritize children of non-members in their admissions. However, they cannot legally refuse admission based solely on church membership if they receive public funding, which most do.

What Doesn't Change

  • Civil rights — your voting rights, employment rights, and all other civil rights remain completely unaffected.
  • Civil marriage — you can still get married at the Standesamt. Germany requires a civil ceremony anyway; a church wedding is always optional.
  • Social services — church-run hospitals, social services (Caritas, Diakonie), and counseling remain open to everyone regardless of membership.
  • Re-entry — you can re-join the church later if you change your mind, though the process varies by denomination.

Can You Do Kirchenaustritt Online?

This is one of the most-searched questions about Kirchenaustritt, and the answer is straightforward: in almost all cases, no.

As of 2026, nearly every German state requires you to appear in person at the Standesamt or Amtsgericht. The reasoning is that the Kirchenaustritt is a legal declaration with significant consequences, and the authorities want to verify your identity in person and ensure the declaration is made voluntarily.

A few states have experimented with allowing written declarations sent by mail (with a notarized signature), but this is not widely available and the rules change frequently. The safest and most reliable way is to book an appointment and go in person.

Watch out for scams: There are websites that offer to handle your Kirchenaustritt for you for a fee. Be cautious — in most cases, you still have to appear in person, so you're paying for something you need to do yourself anyway. Stick to the official Standesamt or Amtsgericht.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kirchenaustritt in Germany?

Kirchenaustritt is the formal legal process of leaving a church in Germany. It's the only way to stop paying Kirchensteuer (church tax), which is automatically deducted from your salary if you're registered as a member of a tax-collecting church. The process is handled by state authorities, not the church itself.

How much does Kirchenaustritt cost?

It depends on your state. In Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Baden-Württemberg, and Sachsen, it's free. In other states, the fee ranges from 10 to 31 euros. Check the cost table above for your specific state.

Can I do Kirchenaustritt online?

Generally no. Almost all German states require you to appear in person at the Standesamt or Amtsgericht. Some states allow a notarized written declaration, but this is rare. The standard procedure is booking an appointment and going in person.

How long does it take for Kirchensteuer to stop after Kirchenaustritt?

The exit usually takes legal effect from the first of the following month. Your employer's payroll should update within 1-2 months as the Finanzamt updates the ELStAM electronic tax system. If it takes longer, contact your employer directly with your Kirchenaustrittsbescheinigung.

What are the consequences of leaving the church in Germany?

The main benefit is that you stop paying Kirchensteuer. The trade-offs: no church wedding, possible restrictions on church burial, inability to be a godparent in some denominations, and potential deprioritization at church-run kindergartens (though they can't legally refuse your child). Your civil rights are completely unaffected.

Where do I go for Kirchenaustritt in Berlin?

In Berlin, you go to the Amtsgericht (district court), not the Standesamt. The main office handling this is the Amtsgericht Charlottenburg. Book a Kirchenaustritt Termin through the Berlin courts website. The process is free in Berlin.

Need Personalized Help?

Every situation is different. Maybe you registered a religion during your Anmeldung without realizing the tax implications. Maybe you're unsure which office to visit in your city. Maybe you want to know exactly how much Kirchensteuer you're paying and whether it's worth leaving.

Whatever your question, our AI assistant can help. hallostu gives you verified answers sourced directly from German law — with inline citations so you can trust every answer.

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