This paper presents the development of a methodology and concept for a national climate damage register for Germany. Information on past and future climate change-induced damage provides an important basis for a strategically oriented and effective responses to the impacts of climate change. So far, there is no national monitoring program in Germany that systematically records such damage. To begin with, the existing needs and interests of potential users are analysed. In addition, existing guidelines and first practical examples of damage databases are identified. Based on these findings, the structure of a damage register is developed. As the usefulness of a damage register is strongly characterised by the quality of the data used for this purpose, the existing data sources for defined focus areas of damages are examined in detail with regard to their suitability for a register. In terms of timeliness, the focus is on meaningful and reliable loss data, which is more important to most stakeholders than availability as soon as possible. However, a fast track approach is also described for major events, in which initial rough estimates will be published. A special focus is placed on the structure, possible threshold values and the process of data collection and maintenance.