German submarine U-531 was a Type IXC/40 U-boat of the Nazi German Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. She was laid down at Deutsche Werft in Hamburg as 'werk' 346 on 22 December 1941, launched on 12 August 1942 and commissioned on 28 October with Oberleutnant Herbert Neckel in command. Her service began with training as part of the 4th U-boat Flotilla; she then joined the 2nd flotilla for operations on 1 April 1943.