diff --git a/docs/settings-authentication-mockup.txt b/docs/settings-authentication-mockup.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..00f64c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/settings-authentication-mockup.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+# Settings page – Authentication section (ASCII mockup)
+
+Structure after renaming "OIDC" to "Authentication" and adding the registration toggle.
+Subsections use their own headings (h3) inside the main "Authentication" form_section.
+
++------------------------------------------------------------------+
+| Settings                                                         |
+| Manage global settings for the association.                      |
++------------------------------------------------------------------+
+
++-- Club Settings -------------------------------------------------+
+| Association Name: [________________]  [Save Name]               |
++------------------------------------------------------------------+
+
++-- Join Form -----------------------------------------------------+
+| ... (unchanged)                                                   |
++------------------------------------------------------------------+
+
++-- SMTP / E-Mail -------------------------------------------------+
+| ...                                                              |
++------------------------------------------------------------------+
+
++-- Accounting-Software (Vereinfacht) Integration -----------------+
+| ...                                                              |
++------------------------------------------------------------------+
+
++-- Authentication ------------------------------------------------+   <-- main section (renamed from "OIDC (Single Sign-On)")
+|                                                                   |
+|  Direct registration                                              |   <-- subsection heading (h3)
+|  [x] Allow direct registration (/register)                       |
+|      If disabled, users cannot sign up via /register; sign-in      |
+|      and the join form remain available.                          |
+|                                                                   |
+|  OIDC (Single Sign-On)                                            |   <-- subsection heading (h3)
+|  (Some values are set via environment variables...)                |
+|  Client ID:        [________________]                             |
+|  Base URL:         [________________]                             |
+|  Redirect URI:     [________________]                             |
+|  Client Secret:    [________________] (set)                       |
+|  Admin group name: [________________]                             |
+|  Groups claim:     [________________]                             |
+|  [ ] Only OIDC sign-in (hide password login)                      |
+|  [Save OIDC Settings]                                             |
++------------------------------------------------------------------+
diff --git a/lib/accounts/user.ex b/lib/accounts/user.ex
index 6b9cd1e..29a2d4b 100644
--- a/lib/accounts/user.ex
+++ b/lib/accounts/user.ex
@@ -405,6 +405,10 @@ defmodule Mv.Accounts.User do
       where: [action_is([:register_with_password, :admin_set_password])],
       message: "must have length of at least 8"
 
+    # Block direct registration when disabled in global settings
+    validate {Mv.Accounts.User.Validations.RegistrationEnabled, []},
+      where: [action_is(:register_with_password)]
+
     # Email uniqueness check for all actions that change the email attribute
     # Validates that user email is not already used by another (unlinked) member
     validate Mv.Accounts.User.Validations.EmailNotUsedByOtherMember
diff --git a/lib/accounts/user/validations/registration_enabled.ex b/lib/accounts/user/validations/registration_enabled.ex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..71cc7b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/accounts/user/validations/registration_enabled.ex
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+defmodule Mv.Accounts.User.Validations.RegistrationEnabled do
+  @moduledoc """
+  Validation that blocks direct registration (register_with_password) when
+  registration is disabled in global settings. Used so that even direct API/form
+  submissions cannot register when the setting is off.
+  """
+  use Ash.Resource.Validation
+
+  alias Mv.Membership
+
+  @impl true
+  def init(opts), do: {:ok, opts}
+
+  @impl true
+  def validate(_changeset, _opts, _context) do
+    case Membership.get_settings() do
+      {:ok, %{registration_enabled: true}} ->
+        :ok
+
+      _ ->
+        {:error,
+         field: :base,
+         message:
+           "Registration is disabled. Please use the join form or contact an administrator."}
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/membership/setting.ex b/lib/membership/setting.ex
index ce63589..83c5c8b 100644
--- a/lib/membership/setting.ex
+++ b/lib/membership/setting.ex
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ defmodule Mv.Membership.Setting do
     (e.g., `%{"first_name" => true, "last_name" => true}`). Email is always required; other fields default to optional.
   - `include_joining_cycle` - Whether to include the joining cycle in membership fee generation (default: true)
   - `default_membership_fee_type_id` - Default membership fee type for new members (optional)
+  - `registration_enabled` - Whether direct registration via /register is allowed (default: true)
   - `join_form_enabled` - Whether the public /join page is active (default: false)
   - `join_form_field_ids` - Ordered list of field IDs shown on the join form. Each entry is
     either a member field name string (e.g. "email") or a custom field UUID. Email is always
@@ -129,6 +130,7 @@ defmodule Mv.Membership.Setting do
         :smtp_ssl,
         :smtp_from_name,
         :smtp_from_email,
+        :registration_enabled,
         :join_form_enabled,
         :join_form_field_ids,
         :join_form_field_required
@@ -165,6 +167,7 @@ defmodule Mv.Membership.Setting do
         :smtp_ssl,
         :smtp_from_name,
         :smtp_from_email,
+        :registration_enabled,
         :join_form_enabled,
         :join_form_field_ids,
         :join_form_field_required
@@ -514,6 +517,15 @@ defmodule Mv.Membership.Setting do
       description "Email address for the transactional email sender. Must be owned by the SMTP user. Overrides MAIL_FROM_EMAIL env."
     end
 
+    # Authentication: direct registration toggle
+    attribute :registration_enabled, :boolean do
+      allow_nil? false
+      default true
+      public? true
+
+      description "When true, users can register via /register; when false, only sign-in and join form remain available."
+    end
+
     # Join form (Beitrittsformular) settings
     attribute :join_form_enabled, :boolean do
       allow_nil? false
diff --git a/lib/mv_web/auth_overrides.ex b/lib/mv_web/auth_overrides.ex
index 44b3408..3aab0ed 100644
--- a/lib/mv_web/auth_overrides.ex
+++ b/lib/mv_web/auth_overrides.ex
@@ -35,6 +35,19 @@ defmodule MvWeb.AuthOverrides do
   end
 end
 
+defmodule MvWeb.AuthOverridesRegistrationDisabled do
+  @moduledoc """
+  When direct registration is disabled in global settings, this override is
+  prepended in SignInLive so the Password component hides the "Need an account?"
+  toggle (register_toggle_text: nil disables the register link per library docs).
+  """
+  use AshAuthentication.Phoenix.Overrides
+
+  override AshAuthentication.Phoenix.Components.Password do
+    set :register_toggle_text, nil
+  end
+end
+
 defmodule MvWeb.AuthOverridesDE do
   @moduledoc """
   German locale-specific overrides for AshAuthentication Phoenix components.
diff --git a/lib/mv_web/live/auth/sign_in_live.ex b/lib/mv_web/live/auth/sign_in_live.ex
index 96bf62b..45cf44a 100644
--- a/lib/mv_web/live/auth/sign_in_live.ex
+++ b/lib/mv_web/live/auth/sign_in_live.ex
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ defmodule MvWeb.SignInLive do
 
   alias AshAuthentication.Phoenix.Components
   alias Mv.Config
-  alias MvWeb.{AuthOverridesDE, Layouts}
+  alias MvWeb.{AuthOverridesDE, AuthOverridesRegistrationDisabled, Layouts}
 
   @impl true
   def mount(_params, session, socket) do
@@ -36,7 +36,18 @@ defmodule MvWeb.SignInLive do
     # without _gettext support (e.g. HorizontalRule) still render in German.
     base_overrides = Map.get(session, "overrides", [AshAuthentication.Phoenix.Overrides.Default])
     locale_overrides = if locale == "de", do: [AuthOverridesDE], else: []
-    overrides = locale_overrides ++ base_overrides
+
+    registration_disabled =
+      if session["registration_enabled"] == false,
+        do: [AuthOverridesRegistrationDisabled],
+        else: []
+
+    # When registration is disabled: hide register link (register_path: nil) and hide
+    # "Need an account?" toggle (override register_toggle_text: nil so it takes precedence).
+    overrides = registration_disabled ++ locale_overrides ++ base_overrides
+
+    register_path =
+      if session["registration_enabled"] == false, do: nil, else: session["register_path"]
 
     socket =
       socket
@@ -44,7 +55,7 @@ defmodule MvWeb.SignInLive do
       |> assign_new(:otp_app, fn -> nil end)
       |> assign(:path, session["path"] || "/")
       |> assign(:reset_path, session["reset_path"])
-      |> assign(:register_path, session["register_path"])
+      |> assign(:register_path, register_path)
       |> assign(:current_tenant, session["tenant"])
       |> assign(:resources, session["resources"])
       |> assign(:context, session["context"] || %{})
diff --git a/lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex b/lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
index fadbc32..158b7fa 100644
--- a/lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+++ b/lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
@@ -11,12 +11,14 @@ defmodule MvWeb.GlobalSettingsLive do
 
   ## Settings
   - `club_name` - The name of the association/club (required)
+  - `registration_enabled` - Whether direct registration via /register is allowed
   - `join_form_enabled` - Whether the public /join page is active
   - `join_form_field_ids` - Ordered list of field IDs shown on the join form
   - `join_form_field_required` - Map of field ID => required boolean
 
   ## Events
   - `validate` / `save` - Club settings form
+  - `toggle_registration_enabled` - Enable/disable direct registration (/register)
   - `toggle_join_form_enabled` - Enable/disable the join form
   - `add_join_form_field` / `remove_join_form_field` - Manage join form fields
   - `toggle_join_form_field_required` - Toggle required flag per field
@@ -80,6 +82,7 @@ defmodule MvWeb.GlobalSettingsLive do
       |> assign(:oidc_only_env_set, Mv.Config.oidc_only_env_set?())
       |> assign(:oidc_configured, Mv.Config.oidc_configured?())
       |> assign(:oidc_client_secret_set, Mv.Config.oidc_client_secret_set?())
+      |> assign(:registration_enabled, settings.registration_enabled != false)
       |> assign(:smtp_env_configured, Mv.Config.smtp_env_configured?())
       |> assign(:smtp_host_env_set, Mv.Config.smtp_host_env_set?())
       |> assign(:smtp_port_env_set, Mv.Config.smtp_port_env_set?())
@@ -607,8 +610,29 @@ defmodule MvWeb.GlobalSettingsLive do
             <% end %>
           </.form>
         </.form_section>
-        <%!-- OIDC Section --%>
-        <.form_section title={gettext("OIDC (Single Sign-On)")}>
+        <%!-- Authentication: Direct registration + OIDC --%>
+        <.form_section title={gettext("Authentication")}>
+          <h3 class="font-medium mb-3">{gettext("Direct registration")}</h3>
+          <p class="text-sm text-base-content/70 mb-4">
+            {gettext(
+              "If disabled, users cannot sign up via /register; sign-in and the join form remain available."
+            )}
+          </p>
+          <div class="flex items-center gap-3 mb-6">
+            <input
+              type="checkbox"
+              id="registration-enabled-checkbox"
+              class="checkbox checkbox-sm"
+              checked={@registration_enabled}
+              phx-click="toggle_registration_enabled"
+              aria-label={gettext("Allow direct registration (/register)")}
+            />
+            <label for="registration-enabled-checkbox" class="cursor-pointer font-medium">
+              {gettext("Allow direct registration (/register)")}
+            </label>
+          </div>
+
+          <h3 class="font-medium mb-3">{gettext("OIDC (Single Sign-On)")}</h3>
           <%= if @oidc_env_configured do %>
             <p class="text-sm text-base-content/70 mb-4">
               {gettext("Some values are set via environment variables. Those fields are read-only.")}
@@ -853,6 +877,7 @@ defmodule MvWeb.GlobalSettingsLive do
         socket =
           socket
           |> assign(:settings, fresh_settings)
+          |> assign(:registration_enabled, fresh_settings.registration_enabled != false)
           |> assign(:vereinfacht_api_key_set, present?(fresh_settings.vereinfacht_api_key))
           |> assign(:oidc_client_secret_set, Mv.Config.oidc_client_secret_set?())
           |> assign(:oidc_configured, Mv.Config.oidc_configured?())
@@ -889,6 +914,24 @@ defmodule MvWeb.GlobalSettingsLive do
     {:noreply, persist_join_form_settings(socket)}
   end
 
+  @impl true
+  def handle_event("toggle_registration_enabled", _params, socket) do
+    settings = socket.assigns.settings
+    new_value = not socket.assigns.registration_enabled
+
+    case Membership.update_settings(settings, %{registration_enabled: new_value}) do
+      {:ok, updated_settings} ->
+        {:noreply,
+         socket
+         |> assign(:settings, updated_settings)
+         |> assign(:registration_enabled, updated_settings.registration_enabled != false)
+         |> assign_form()}
+
+      {:error, _} ->
+        {:noreply, put_flash(socket, :error, gettext("Failed to update setting."))}
+    end
+  end
+
   @impl true
   def handle_event("toggle_add_field_dropdown", _params, socket) do
     {:noreply,
diff --git a/lib/mv_web/plugs/registration_enabled.ex b/lib/mv_web/plugs/registration_enabled.ex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a8405bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/mv_web/plugs/registration_enabled.ex
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+defmodule MvWeb.Plugs.RegistrationEnabled do
+  @moduledoc """
+  When direct registration is disabled in settings:
+  - GET /register is redirected to /sign-in with a flash message.
+  Puts registration_enabled from settings into session for /sign-in and /register
+  so the sign-in LiveView can show or hide the register link.
+  """
+  import Plug.Conn
+  import Phoenix.Controller
+
+  alias Mv.Membership
+
+  def init(opts), do: opts
+
+  def call(conn, _opts) do
+    conn
+    |> maybe_redirect_register()
+    |> maybe_put_registration_enabled_in_session()
+  end
+
+  defp maybe_redirect_register(conn) do
+    if conn.request_path == "/register" and conn.method == "GET" do
+      case Membership.get_settings() do
+        {:ok, %{registration_enabled: true}} ->
+          conn
+
+        _ ->
+          conn
+          |> put_flash(:info, get_flash_message(conn))
+          |> redirect(to: "/sign-in")
+          |> halt()
+      end
+    else
+      conn
+    end
+  end
+
+  defp get_flash_message(_conn) do
+    Gettext.dgettext(MvWeb.Gettext, "default", "Registration is disabled.")
+  end
+
+  defp maybe_put_registration_enabled_in_session(conn) do
+    if conn.request_path in ["/sign-in", "/register"] do
+      enabled =
+        case Membership.get_settings() do
+          {:ok, %{registration_enabled: enabled?}} -> enabled?
+          _ -> true
+        end
+
+      put_session(conn, "registration_enabled", enabled)
+    else
+      conn
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/mv_web/router.ex b/lib/mv_web/router.ex
index 945e22c..c7df3fd 100644
--- a/lib/mv_web/router.ex
+++ b/lib/mv_web/router.ex
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ defmodule MvWeb.Router do
     plug :set_locale
     plug MvWeb.Plugs.CheckPagePermission
     plug MvWeb.Plugs.JoinFormEnabled
+    plug MvWeb.Plugs.RegistrationEnabled
   end
 
   pipeline :api do
diff --git a/priv/gettext/de/LC_MESSAGES/default.po b/priv/gettext/de/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
index c23799a..9396bab 100644
--- a/priv/gettext/de/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
+++ b/priv/gettext/de/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
@@ -3867,3 +3867,33 @@ msgstr "Vielen Dank"
 #, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
 msgid "You will receive an email once your application has been reviewed."
 msgstr "Du erhältst eine E-Mail, sobald dein Antrag geprüft wurde."
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Allow direct registration (/register)"
+msgstr "Direkte Registrierung erlauben (/register)"
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Authentication"
+msgstr "Anmeldung"
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Direct registration"
+msgstr "Direkte Registrierung"
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Failed to update setting."
+msgstr "Einstellung konnte nicht gespeichert werden."
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "If disabled, users cannot sign up via /register; sign-in and the join form remain available."
+msgstr "Wenn deaktiviert, können sich Nutzer*innen nicht über /register anmelden; Anmeldung und Beitrittsformular bleiben verfügbar."
+
+#: lib/mv_web/plugs/registration_enabled.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Registration is disabled."
+msgstr "Die Registrierung ist deaktiviert."
diff --git a/priv/gettext/default.pot b/priv/gettext/default.pot
index ff61365..1d01d9e 100644
--- a/priv/gettext/default.pot
+++ b/priv/gettext/default.pot
@@ -3867,3 +3867,33 @@ msgstr ""
 #, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
 msgid "You will receive an email once your application has been reviewed."
 msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Allow direct registration (/register)"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Authentication"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Direct registration"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Failed to update setting."
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "If disabled, users cannot sign up via /register; sign-in and the join form remain available."
+msgstr ""
+
+#: lib/mv_web/plugs/registration_enabled.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Registration is disabled."
+msgstr ""
diff --git a/priv/gettext/en/LC_MESSAGES/default.po b/priv/gettext/en/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
index 82aed54..1ed8cee 100644
--- a/priv/gettext/en/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
+++ b/priv/gettext/en/LC_MESSAGES/default.po
@@ -3867,3 +3867,33 @@ msgstr "Thank you"
 #, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
 msgid "You will receive an email once your application has been reviewed."
 msgstr "You will receive an email once your application has been reviewed."
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Allow direct registration (/register)"
+msgstr "Allow direct registration (/register)"
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Authentication"
+msgstr "Authentication"
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Direct registration"
+msgstr "Direct registration"
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Failed to update setting."
+msgstr "Failed to update setting."
+
+#: lib/mv_web/live/global_settings_live.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "If disabled, users cannot sign up via /register; sign-in and the join form remain available."
+msgstr "If disabled, users cannot sign up via /register; sign-in and the join form remain available."
+
+#: lib/mv_web/plugs/registration_enabled.ex
+#, elixir-autogen, elixir-format
+msgid "Registration is disabled."
+msgstr "Registration is disabled."
diff --git a/priv/repo/migrations/20260313140000_add_registration_enabled_to_settings.exs b/priv/repo/migrations/20260313140000_add_registration_enabled_to_settings.exs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..facd3e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/priv/repo/migrations/20260313140000_add_registration_enabled_to_settings.exs
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+defmodule Mv.Repo.Migrations.AddRegistrationEnabledToSettings do
+  @moduledoc """
+  Adds registration_enabled flag to settings. When false, direct registration
+  via /register is disabled; sign-in and join form remain available.
+  """
+
+  use Ecto.Migration
+
+  def up do
+    alter table(:settings) do
+      add :registration_enabled, :boolean, default: true, null: false
+    end
+  end
+
+  def down do
+    alter table(:settings) do
+      remove :registration_enabled
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/test/mv_web/controllers/auth_controller_test.exs b/test/mv_web/controllers/auth_controller_test.exs
index 328a9f4..e449284 100644
--- a/test/mv_web/controllers/auth_controller_test.exs
+++ b/test/mv_web/controllers/auth_controller_test.exs
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ defmodule MvWeb.AuthControllerTest do
   import Phoenix.ConnTest
   import ExUnit.CaptureLog
 
+  alias Mv.Membership
+
   # Helper to create an unauthenticated conn (preserves sandbox metadata)
   defp build_unauthenticated_conn(authenticated_conn) do
     # Create new conn but preserve sandbox metadata for database access
@@ -169,6 +171,23 @@ defmodule MvWeb.AuthControllerTest do
     assert html =~ "length must be greater than or equal to 8"
   end
 
+  test "when registration is disabled, sign-in page does not show Need an account? toggle", %{
+    conn: authenticated_conn
+  } do
+    {:ok, settings} = Membership.get_settings()
+    original = Map.get(settings, :registration_enabled, true)
+    {:ok, _} = Membership.update_settings(settings, %{registration_enabled: false})
+
+    try do
+      conn = build_unauthenticated_conn(authenticated_conn)
+      {:ok, _view, html} = live(conn, ~p"/sign-in")
+      refute html =~ "Need an account?"
+    after
+      {:ok, s} = Membership.get_settings()
+      Membership.update_settings(s, %{registration_enabled: original})
+    end
+  end
+
   # Access control
   test "unauthenticated user accessing protected route gets redirected to sign-in", %{
     conn: authenticated_conn