Surname After the Wedding: What Are Your Options in 2026 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland?
A shared family name is far from your only option: you can keep your existing names, choose one partner's name as your shared name or – depending on the country – opt for an official double-barrelled name. In Germany in particular, a lot has changed with the naming law in force since 1 May 2025.
This article gives you a clear overview, current as of January 2026. For binational couples, people with multiple citizenships, previous marriages or names that are already compound, naming law depends heavily on the individual case. For binding advice, contact the relevant registry office (Standesamt or Zivilstandsamt) and the responsible authorities.
Quick Comparison: What Applies in 2026 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland?
| Question | Germany | Austria | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|---|
| What happens if you make no declaration? | Both keep their existing names. | Both keep their existing names. | Both keep their existing names. |
| Shared single name? | Yes, generally one partner's birth name or current name. | Yes, generally one partner's family name. | Yes, one partner's maiden (unmarried) name can generally be chosen as the shared family name. |
| Shared official double-barrelled name? | Yes, since 1 May 2025. | Yes. | Generally no, under the rules in force at the start of 2026. |
| Hyphen in the newly formed double-barrelled name? | Optional – with or without a hyphen. | Generally with a hyphen. | The alliance name (Allianzname) is used with a hyphen but is not an official civil-status name. |
| Can you decide later? | Yes, a married name can also be chosen during the marriage. | A name declaration is generally possible later as well; check the requirements and fees. | The shared name should be chosen at the time of marriage. Later on, a formal name change procedure is usually required. |
| Which authority is responsible? | Registry office (Standesamt) | Registry office (Standesamt) | Civil registry office (Zivilstandsamt) |
It's important to distinguish between a shared family or married name that both partners officially use and an individual double-barrelled name that only one person bears. What sounds the same in everyday language can mean something different legally.
Germany: True Double-Barrelled Names Possible Since May 2025
In Germany, you can keep your existing names or choose a shared married name. The big change: since 1 May 2025, you can combine your two names into a shared double-barrelled name, which both of you then use officially.
- Separate names: Anna Berger remains Anna Berger, Leon Huber remains Leon Huber.
- One shared name: Both are called Berger or both are called Huber.
- Shared double-barrelled name: Both are called Berger-Huber, Huber-Berger, Berger Huber or Huber Berger.
- Individual added name: If, for example, Huber becomes the shared married name, the person whose name did not become the married name can, under certain conditions, be called Berger-Huber or Huber-Berger, while the other person is called Huber.
You decide the order of the shared double-barrelled name together. In Germany, the hyphen is optional. Long chains of names are to be avoided: if a name already consists of several parts, usually only one component can be used for the new combination. You cannot add an extra individual name to a married name that is already double-barrelled.
When Do You Have to Decide in Germany?
You can declare your married name right at the civil ceremony. If you'd rather not commit yet, you simply keep your names for now and can generally choose a shared married name at the registry office later. Couples who married before 1 May 2025 can also take advantage of the new options under certain conditions.
Once you have made a declaration, you can't simply swap it for a different name variant whenever you like. The new law does include options for jointly dropping a married name, but it restricts making a new choice afterwards. If you're unsure, get specific advice from the registry office before you make your declaration.
Austria: A shared double-barrelled name is already possible
In Austria, too, you can keep your existing surnames, choose one name as your shared family name, or combine both names into a shared double-barrelled name.
- Separate names: You both keep your existing surnames.
- Shared name: You choose one partner's surname as your shared family name.
- Shared double-barrelled name: You both use, for example, Berger-Huber or Huber-Berger.
- Individual double-barrelled name: If Huber becomes the shared family name, the other partner can combine it with their existing name and be called Berger-Huber, for example.
In Austria, a newly created double-barrelled name is generally written with a hyphen and, as a rule, may consist of no more than two parts. Additional rules apply to names that already have several parts, to prevent long chains of names.
When do you have to decide in Austria?
The easiest way is to make your declaration when you give notice of marriage or at your civil ceremony. In principle, you can also make a declaration later at the registry office. However, since name declarations can't be changed as often as you like and additional fees may apply, you should find out about your specific situation beforehand.
Switzerland: Separate names or a shared birth name
In Switzerland, spouses generally keep their existing names. Alternatively, you can declare to the civil registry office that you would like to use the birth name of one partner as your shared family name.
- Separate names: Anna Berger remains Anna Berger, Leon Huber remains Leon Huber.
- Shared family name: You both use Berger or you both use Huber, provided it is an eligible birth name.
- Official shared double-barrelled name: Generally not provided for under the rules in force at the start of 2026.
- Alliance name: One partner can use, for example, Berger-Huber in everyday life. However, this is not an official civil status name and is not passed on to children.
If you wish, the Swiss alliance name can appear as an official addition in your passport and identity card. However, this doesn't make it your legal family name. Your official name remains what counts for contracts, dealings with authorities and bookings.
Switzerland has been debating the reintroduction of official double-barrelled names. What matters is not just a parliamentary decision but when new rules actually come into force. So in 2026, check the current situation with the civil registry office shortly before your wedding.
When should you settle the name question?
| When | What you should clarify |
|---|---|
| Before giving notice of marriage | Which options are permitted in your country and for your nationalities. |
| Before printing personalised stationery | Whether and from when you want to use the new name socially. Official documents must still show your legally valid name. |
| Before booking travel | Which name will be in your passport at the time of travel. |
| At the civil ceremony | Whether you want to make the name declaration right away and which spelling should apply. |
| After the wedding | Which documents, contracts and accounts need to be updated. |
What does your decision mean for your children's surname?
A shared family or married name usually also becomes relevant for your children together. If you each keep your own name, you'll need to decide which name a child should have. Since May 2025, Germany has also allowed children to have a double-barrelled name made up of both parents' names. Austria likewise offers options for double-barrelled names. In Switzerland, couples with separate names decide at the time of marriage which birth name their future children will receive.
The declaration for your first child together can affect the surnames of any siblings. Blended families, unmarried parents, foreign nationalities and existing double-barrelled names are typical cases you should discuss early with the registry office or civil registry office.
After the Wedding: Documents and Contracts You Should Update
A name change isn't automatically passed on to every bank, insurer or contract partner. So make a list and work through it in order of urgency. You can also add this section to your wedding planning checklist.
Especially Important: Honeymoon and Travel Bookings
Always book a trip under exactly the name shown in the passport you'll be using on the day of travel.
If you're travelling straight after the wedding, it's often easiest to book tickets under your current name and use the matching valid passport. If you apply for a new passport beforehand, your flight ticket, visa, hotel booking and car hire reservation must all match the new name too. A marriage certificate is no reliable substitute for matching names at check-in or at the border.
Which Documents Are Usually Required?
- Marriage certificate
- Certificate of the name declaration, if this isn't clearly shown on the marriage certificate
- Your current ID card, passport or Swiss identity card
- A new biometric passport photo for identity documents
- Forms, cards or contract numbers from the relevant organisation
- For international cases, translations, apostilles or additional civil status certificates where applicable
Also set aside a small budget for new identity documents, photos, certified documents, postage and possible changes to travel bookings. Fees vary considerably by country, municipality and document.
When You Should Definitely Seek Individual Advice
- One or both of you hold multiple or different nationalities.
- You live in a different country from the one where you're getting married.
- One of you bears a name from a previous marriage.
- One of your names already consists of several parts.
- Adoption, naturalization or a previous name change is a factor.
- The name contains special characters, prefixes or a spelling that isn't displayed the same way in all document systems.
- You want the name to be recognized in another country as well and entered in its registers.
In these cases, the place of the wedding alone may not determine which naming law applies. Bring any existing birth, marriage and name certificates to your advisory appointment as early as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Your Surname After the Wedding
Do we have to share a surname after the wedding?
Can a man take his wife's name?
Can we both have an official double-barrelled name?
Does a double-barrelled name always need a hyphen?
Can we decide after the wedding?
Can I keep using my previous name professionally?
Are banks and insurers notified automatically?
Which name should we use for the honeymoon?
Whether you share one name or keep two says nothing about how connected you are. Make the decision that fits your everyday life, your personal histories and your plans for the future – and in special cases, it's better to get advice from the relevant authority one time too many.