Registering for a Postal Address: What Are the Options?

Questioner

My brother wants to register (temporarily) at our address. Due to a divorce, he does not yet have a permanent place of residence or stay. He will not actually live with us, but needs a postal address. If this is a possibility, what should we do and what are the possible risks for him and for us?

Lawyer

This is not officially allowed, because you have to register where you actually live. Your brother can ask the municipality about the possibility of a postal address. If you yourself are dependent on benefits, for example, this can have consequences if you do not report.

Lawyer

Dear questioner, I would like to inform you that in this case, temporarily establishing a postal address, because that is what it is called, is a good option. You must give permission and register this postal address with your municipality together with your brother. A postal address is not unusual. It is important that the authorities such as the Tax Authorities will not regard you as persons who share a household permanently. For the receipt and the right to benefits, the presence of a postal address at your home address is therefore not relevant. Another option is that you let your brother rent a room within the room rent exemption and he registers as a resident of a room. If there is a contract in which the specific room is described, you are both not seen as people sharing a household in this case either. Alternatively, you can temporarily register your brother as a 'boarder' who rents a room from you. Again, it is important that there is a contract that specifically lists the rights and obligations of both of you. You see, there are still some possibilities to help your brother.