This moving to Germany checklist covers everything you need to sort out in your first 30 days. The first month in Germany decides how smoothly everything else goes: your first salary, your bank account and your residence permit all depend on a few documents that you can only get after arrival.
Follow these steps in order and you will avoid the most common delays new arrivals face.
Moving to Germany Checklist: Before You Fly
- Visa in your passport and copies of all documents (contract, admission letter, degree certificates).
- Health insurance that covers you from the day you land.
- Accommodation for at least the first weeks, ideally one where the landlord will sign the registration form.
- Some cash in euros and an international debit or credit card.
- Passport photos for German forms (biometric format).
Week 1: Address Registration (Anmeldung)
Everyone who moves into a home in Germany must register the address at the local registration office (Bürgeramt or Bürgerbüro) within 14 days. Late or missing registration can be fined up to €1,000.
You need:
- Passport with visa
- The completed registration form
- The landlord’s confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). A rental contract alone is not enough.
- Marriage and birth certificates if you register family members
Appointments can be hard to get in big cities like Berlin or Munich. Check the online booking portal early in the morning, when new slots are often released. You receive the registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) at the appointment. Keep it safe: you need it for almost everything that follows.
Week 2–3: Tax ID, Bank and Phone
Once you are registered, the next items on your moving to Germany checklist are quick to tick off.
Tax ID (Steuer-ID)
Your tax identification number arrives by post, usually two to three weeks after registration. Your employer needs it for correct payroll. Without it, you may be taxed at the highest tax class at first.
Bank account
Open a German current account (Girokonto) with your passport and registration certificate. Online banks are fast; traditional banks offer branches. Your salary, rent and insurance payments all need a German IBAN.
SIM card
Prepaid SIM cards need identity verification, usually by video or in a shop with your passport. A German number makes appointments and job calls much easier.
Week 3–4: Insurance, Transport and Household
Health insurance
If you are employed, your employer registers you with a public health insurer (Krankenkasse) of your choice, or you show proof of private insurance. Our health insurance guide explains public versus private.
Liability insurance
Private liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) is not mandatory, but almost every German household has it. It costs only a few euros a month and covers accidental damage to other people’s property.
Deutschlandticket
The Deutschlandticket costs €63 per month in 2026 and covers all local and regional public transport across Germany. Many employers subsidise it as a job ticket.
Broadcasting fee
Every household pays the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) of €18.36 per month in 2026. You will get a letter after registering, and flatmates share one fee.
Residence Permit: Don’t Miss the Deadline
The last item on every moving to Germany checklist is the most important one. Most national visas are valid for a limited period. Before it expires, you must get your residence permit, for example an EU Blue Card, from the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). Book this appointment as soon as you have your registration certificate, because waiting times can be several weeks. Read our EU Blue Card guide for the conditions.
Key Takeaways
Your moving to Germany checklist in short:
- Register your address within 14 days; it unlocks almost every other step.
- Expect your tax ID by post two to three weeks after registration.
- Open a German bank account and get a German phone number early.
- Book your residence permit appointment well before your visa expires.
For more official information, see the Make it in Germany living guide.
Moving to Germany: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register at a hotel or temporary apartment?
Short hotel stays usually do not count. Serviced apartments and sublets can work if the provider signs the landlord confirmation.
Can I start work before receiving my tax ID?
Yes. Tell your employer it is on the way; payroll can be corrected once the number arrives.
Which bank is best for newcomers?
Online banks are quick to open, while branch banks offer in-person help. Choose one without monthly fees if possible.
Where can I find an apartment?
Housing is the hardest part in big cities. Start early and keep all documents ready (income proof, SCHUFA once available, ID).
Relocation Support From Tejas in Germany
Team Tejas in Germany helps new arrivals with registration, documents and their first steps at work as part of our career and relocation programs. Book a consultation to plan your move with someone who has done it.
Note: amounts and rules are as of October 2026 and can change. Check with your local authority for the latest requirements.
