I have arrived in Germany – what do I need to arrange?
11 tasks in suggested order
1. Register residence
After moving into a home, residence generally has to be registered with the registration authority within two weeks under the Federal Registration Act.
Generally within 2 weeks after moving in.
Locally competent Meldebehörde/Bürgeramt; in the federal portal, first select the place of residence.
Identity card or passport, Wohnungsgeberbestätigung and any additional documents required locally.
When moving within Germany, deregistration of the old residence is generally handled through registration at the new residence.
Official source: Bundesportal
2. Confirm your entry, residence and work permission before the next step
As an EU citizen or a citizen of the EFTA states Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you generally do not need a visa or residence permit to enter or work in Germany.
Freedom of movement does not replace residence registration after moving in. Separate entry and residence rules may apply to family members who are third-country nationals.
Official source: Make it in Germany – Bundesregierung
3. Confirm your entry, residence and work permission before the next step
For third-country nationals, the visa or residence title required depends mainly on the purpose of stay, such as work, study, vocational training or family reunification. First identify the correct residence route.
People who require a visa generally apply for the entry visa before travelling at the competent German mission abroad; residence titles after entry are handled, depending on the case, by the locally competent foreigners authority.
Not every residence title permits every type of employment. Check the purpose, any conditions and the permission to work before starting a job or vocational training.
Official source: Make it in Germany – Bundesregierung
4. Arrange health cover and access to healthcare
Clarify early how you will be insured for healthcare in Germany. Whether statutory compulsory insurance, voluntary membership, family insurance or private cover applies depends on your situation.
For statutory health insurance, contact an eligible health insurance fund directly; for employees, social-insurance notifications are generally initiated through the employer.
Do not copy a one-size-fits-all solution from someone else: employees, students, self-employed people and family members can be subject to different rules.
Official source: Bundesministerium für Gesundheit
5. Wait for and check your tax ID after registration
The tax identification number is assigned automatically to new residents after their first registration in Germany and sent by post to the registered address. A normal first-time application is therefore not required.
If no letter with your tax ID arrives within 3 months of your first registration, you can request the number again from the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt).
The first assignment is automatic based on registration data. If the letter is missing, you can request another notification online from the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt).
The tax ID is valid for life and does not change when you move or marry. Do not confuse it with a tax number issued by a tax office.
Official source: Bundesportal / Bundesministerium der Finanzen
6. Clarify your social-insurance number when starting your first job
If applicable: Relevant if you are starting social-insurance-covered employment for the first time or do not know your insurance number.
When you start your first job, the social-insurance number is generally assigned or retrieved automatically as part of the employer registration. You do not need to pay a private service to apply for it.
The employer retrieves the insurance number through the reporting system. If no proof arrives or you need a replacement, the German Pension Insurance or your health insurance fund can help.
The insurance number generally remains valid for life. Since 2023, employees no longer generally have to present the insurance-number certificate to their employer.
Official source: Deutsche Rentenversicherung
7. Set up employment, social insurance and tax correctly
For employment, the employer handles social-insurance notifications. Before starting, check that your residence status permits the specific job and which health insurance fund you have chosen.
Employment contract, residence rights, health insurance, tax ID and social-insurance number are connected but are not the same process. Do not apply twice for something that is generated automatically through registration or employer reporting.
Official source: make-it-in-germany.com
8. Start university application
For admission-restricted courses, official application and coordination procedures of Hochschulstart or the institution apply.
Observe the application/coordination deadlines of the specific degree programme.
Higher-education institution and, for participating restricted-admission programmes, Hochschulstart.
Higher-education entrance qualification and programme-specific evidence.
Not every degree programme uses Hochschulstart; always check the institution's website.
Official source: Hochschulstart
9. Check family permission, school, childcare and family benefits
If family members move with you or join you later, check their residence rights separately and then school or childcare, health insurance and possible family benefits. The rules depend, among other things, on nationalities and the status of the person already in Germany.
Family reunification is not one identical process for every family. Check the specific combination of nationality, residence title and family relationship.
Official source: Make it in Germany – Bundesregierung
10. Register a trade
Anyone starting a fixed-place trade must register it with the competent authority; procedural details are regional.
A permanent trade generally has to be registered when it begins; activities requiring a permit must be authorised before starting.
Competent trade authority at the place of the business establishment. Trade registration is not determined solely from your private home address.
Identity details, business/activity information and, for trades requiring a permit, the required evidence.
Gewerbeanmeldung does not replace tax or professional-law registrations.
Official source: Bundesportal
11. Register a car
Vehicle registration procedures are handled by the locally competent registration authority; details depend on region and transaction.
Complete the appropriate registration procedure before using/changing the vehicle.
Locally competent Kfz-Zulassungsbehörde.
Vehicle documents, insurance confirmation, identity and, depending on the procedure, further evidence.
Registration, transfer, deregistration and import require different documents; select the local procedure.
Official source: Bundesportal
