First Steps in Germany — What You Must Do Immediately

Status: March 2026. All information without warranty.

The First 14 Days

After your arrival in Germany, you need to complete several things quickly. Here's the order that works best:

☐ 1. Move In and Secure Your Rental Agreement

Without a fixed address, almost nothing works in Germany. You need:
- A rental agreement or a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation)
- You'll need this confirmation for your Anmeldung at the local authority

☐ 2. Anmeldung at the Local Authority (within 14 days!)

Anmeldung is mandatory and the most important first step:
- Book an appointment at the Bürgeramt (registration office) — online or by phone
- Bring: passport/ID + Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
- You'll receive a Meldebescheinigung — you'll need this document everywhere

☐ 3. Open a Bank Account

With your Meldebescheinigung, you can open a Girokonto:
- Free accounts: DKB, ING, N26, Commerzbank (welcome bonuses)
- Required: passport + Meldebescheinigung + possibly Aufenthaltstitel
- Video-Ident or Post-Ident verification

☐ 4. Get Health Insurance (Krankenversicherung)

Germany has mandatory health insurance:
- Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV): 14.6% contribution rate + supplementary fee (avg. 2.9% in 2026)
- For employees: employer registers you and splits the contribution
- For self-employed/students: register yourself (TK, AOK, Barmer, etc.)
- EU citizens: EHIC card is valid temporarily

☐ 5. Wait for Your Steuer-ID

After Anmeldung, you'll automatically receive by mail:
- Steuer-Identifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID) — processing time: approx. 2–4 weeks
- Without Steuer-ID you can't receive salary or child benefits
- If it takes too long: contact the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern

☐ 6. SIM Card / Mobile Contract

• Prepaid: Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect, Congstar (from €7.99/month)
• Contract: Telekom, Vodafone, o2 (better coverage, higher costs)
• You'll need a valid ID for activation (Video-Ident)

☐ 7. Apply for Aufenthaltstitel (Non-EU Citizens)

If you entered with a visa:
- Visit the Ausländerbehörde within your visa validity period
- Book an appointment early — waiting times of several weeks are normal!
- Documents needed: passport, Meldebescheinigung, employment contract/admission letter, health insurance, passport photos

Other Important Tasks (First 1–3 Months)

• ☐ Register for Rundfunkbeitrag (€18.36/month — mandatory for every residence)
• ☐ Get Haftpflichtversicherung (from €3–5/month — almost essential in Germany)
• ☐ Apply for Kindergeld if you have children (€259/child/month)
• ☐ Register for Integrationskurs if required
• ☐ Build your SCHUFA history — pay rent and bills on time regularly

Useful Apps for Getting Started

• DeepL / Google Translate — everyday translation
• DB Navigator — book train tickets
• HVV / MVV / BVG — local public transport
• hamboorg.city — your guide to German authorities and bureaucracy