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Editor’s note: Last week, the Kaiserslautern American published an article on the population census in Germany, explaining what U.S. forces members owning property in Germany need to fill out. Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of the Interior changed requirements.
The German government is currently conducting a nation-wide census to collect population data and information on residential buildings.
Members of the U.S. forces, the civilian component and their dependents are not considered part of the German population and are exempt from participating in the population portion of the census (Haushaltebefragung).
Members of the U.S. forces, the civilian component and their dependents who are visited by an interviewer in connection with the population census should identify themselves as individuals with NATO SOFA status by showing the census interviewer their ID card and politely turn the interviewer away.
Members of the U.S. forces, the civilian component and their dependents who own real property in Germany will receive a questionnaire called the “Gebäude-und Wohnungszählung.”
This form must be filled out, except for the question W1 on Page 3. With respect to question W9, the second alternative, “Diplomatenwohnung/Wohnung der auslaendischen Streitkraefte,” shall be marked.
If the property is rented to a person without NATO SOFA status, question W1 must also be answered and question W9 should be answered by marking the third alternative, “keines von beiden.”
Service members may also contact their first sergeants, the legal office or the German-American Community Office for English translations of the forms.
(Courtesy of the Federal Ministry of the Interior)
