Moving to Germany
New Arrivals Checklist
Everything you need to do in your first 30 days — in the right order. Tick items off as you go. Your progress is saved automatically in your browser.
The Anmeldung (address registration) is the single most important step. Without it, you cannot get a bank account, phone contract, internet, residence permit, or tax ID. Do this within 14 days of moving in — by law.
What you need:
- Valid passport or EU national ID
- Completed Anmeldeformular (download from your city's website)
- Wohnungsgeberbestätigung — a form signed by your landlord confirming you live there. This is the most common blocker — ask your landlord for it immediately.
Where to go: Your local Bürgeramt (citizens' registration office). Book an appointment online — in large cities (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg) slots fill weeks ahead. Check at 7–8am when new slots are often released.
What you receive: An Anmeldebestätigung (registration confirmation) — keep multiple copies, you'll need it constantly.
Germany has a dual health insurance system. As a new employee earning under €73,800/year (2025), you are required to join public health insurance (GKV).
Popular public Krankenkassen:
- TK (Techniker Krankenkasse) — most popular with expats, English app, good online service
- AOK — large regional provider, many local offices
- Barmer — nationwide, good digital tools
Cost: ~14.6% of gross salary + your insurer's Zusatzbeitrag (avg 2.5% in 2025), split 50/50 with your employer. You pay roughly 8–9% of gross.
What to do: Sign up online or in-branch. They'll send you a confirmation letter for your employer and visa application (if applicable).
Your German employer will pay your salary to a German IBAN. Most landlords also require a German account for rent direct debits.
Fastest option — digital banks (English app, no branch visit):
- N26 — fully English, free basic account, instant setup via app
- Bunq — English, good for expats with multiple currencies
- Revolut — instant setup, good for international transfers
Traditional banks (Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank) offer more services but require a branch visit and German language skills.
What you need: Passport + Anmeldebestätigung. Some digital banks allow sign-up before Anmeldung with passport only.
After your Anmeldung, the tax authorities automatically send your Steueridentifikationsnummer (Tax ID / Steuer-ID) by post within 1–3 weeks. It's an 11-digit number, permanent for life.
As soon as you receive it: Forward it to your employer's HR/payroll immediately. Until they have it, you are taxed at 42% — the maximum rate. Every day counts.
Didn't receive it? Don't wait. Go to your local Finanzamt in person with your passport and Anmeldebestätigung — they can issue it on the spot.
You can also request it online at bzst.de (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern), but the postal route takes 4 weeks.
The Sozialversicherungsnummer (SV-Nummer) is your unique ID for the German social insurance system — it links your pension, unemployment and health contributions across all employers for life.
It is issued automatically by the Deutsche Rentenversicherung after you register with a Krankenkasse. It appears on your payslip and on a physical plastic card sent by post.
Keep this number safe. Future employers will need it. If you leave Germany, you'll need it to apply for pension contribution refunds.
Your employer assigns your tax class via the ELStAM system using your Steuer-ID. Most single expats default to Class I, which is correct.
Check your first payslip: Your Steuerklasse is shown as StKl. on the slip. If it's wrong, contact HR immediately — it should be changed at the Finanzamt.
If you're married, you may benefit from Class III/IV/V — but you need to apply at the Finanzamt together with your spouse.
Church tax (8–9% of your income tax) is charged if you registered as a member of a state-recognised religious community (Catholic or Protestant) at the Einwohnermeldeamt.
Check your payslip: Look for KiSt. — if it shows a deduction and you don't practice or belong to that religion, you can formally leave.
How to opt out (Kirchenaustritt): Visit your local Standesamt or Amtsgericht with your passport and a small fee (~€30 depending on city). Takes effect the following month.
VWL (Vermögenswirksame Leistungen) — capital formation benefit. Many employers contribute €13–40/month toward a savings account or ETF savings plan. You must actively request it. Ask HR: "Do you offer VWL?"
bAV (betriebliche Altersvorsorge) — company pension. Contributions come from your gross salary (reducing your tax base) and employers must top up at least 15% by law. Often voluntary — ask HR if it's available.
Non-EU citizens need a Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit) or an EU Blue Card to work in Germany legally beyond their initial entry visa.
What you need for most work permits:
- Passport + Anmeldebestätigung
- Employment contract
- Proof of health insurance
- Biometric passport photos
- Recognised qualifications (degree certificate, sometimes with translation)
EU Blue Card requirements (2025): Annual salary ≥ €45,300 (or €41,042 for shortage occupations) + recognised university degree.
The Rundfunkbeitrag (formerly GEZ) is a mandatory household fee of €18.36/month for public broadcasting. It applies to every household regardless of whether you own a TV — one payment covers the entire household.
Register at: rundfunkbeitrag.de — the process is online and takes 5 minutes. You'll receive a Beitragsnummer by post.
Haftpflichtversicherung is personal liability insurance — it covers you if you accidentally damage someone else's property or injure someone. In Germany, you are personally liable for all damages you cause, with no cap.
A family policy costs €30–70/year and covers spilled wine on a borrowed laptop, a broken window, a cyclist you bump into, and much more. It's one of the most recommended insurances for anyone in Germany.
Popular providers: CLARK, Getsafe, Feather (English-friendly), or Allianz, ERGO, HUK for traditional options.
A German phone number is essential — most banking apps require German number 2FA, Arzttermin booking systems use SMS, and your employer will want a local contact number.
Prepaid (no Anmeldung needed): Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect, Congstar — pick up in-store same day.
Contract plans (needs Anmeldung + sometimes Schufa check): Telekom, Vodafone, O2 — better data and coverage.
Schufa is Germany's main credit reference agency. A good score is required for renting a flat, signing a phone contract, and getting credit. As a new arrival you have no Schufa history — which is nearly as bad as a bad score to many landlords.
How to build it fast:
- Open a German bank account (this alone creates an entry)
- Get a German credit card (even with a small limit)
- Sign a phone contract in your name
- Pay all bills on time from day one
Request your free annual Schufa report at meineschufa.de (look for "Datenkopie nach Art. 15 DSGVO" — this version is free).
Home internet setup in Germany is notoriously slow — from ordering to activation typically takes 2–6 weeks. Order on day one if possible.
Major providers: Telekom (most reliable), Vodafone, O2, 1&1. Most offer 100–1000 Mbit/s fibre or cable.
Contracts are typically 24 months — check carefully before signing. Look for monatlich kündbar (monthly cancellable) options if you're uncertain about your stay length.
Your first Gehaltsabrechnung (payslip) contains a lot of information. Check:
- StKl. — should match your expected tax class (usually I for single expats)
- Konfession/Rel. — should show — (no religion) unless you registered with a church
- KV deduction — should be ~8–9% of gross (7.3% + half your insurer's Zusatzbeitrag)
- Steuer-ID — should be present; if not, your HR hasn't received it yet
Most single employees in Tax Class I are not legally required to file a tax return. But filing voluntarily often results in a significant refund — the German average is around €1,100/year.
Common deductions that generate refunds:
- Commuting costs (Pendlerpauschale) — 0.30€/km for first 20km, 0.38€/km beyond
- Home office days (€6/day up to €1,260/year from 2023)
- Work equipment (laptop, desk chair, headphones)
- Relocation costs if you moved for the job
- Work-related education / training
- Union membership fees
Tools: ELSTER (free, official, requires registration), Taxfix, Wundertax, or Steuerbot (all have English guidance).
Deadline: 31 July of the following year (or 28 February if using a Steuerberater).
Store digital copies of:
- All monthly payslips (Gehaltsabrechnungen)
- Annual tax certificate from employer (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung) — issued each January for the previous year
- Anmeldebestätigung (keep multiple copies)
- Health insurance confirmation letter
- SV-Nummer card
These documents are regularly requested for: apartment viewings, bank credit applications, visa renewals, Kindergeld applications, and the annual Steuererklärung.
Germany pays Kindergeld of €255/month per child (2025) for children under 18 (or up to 25 if in education/training). It applies to most residents, regardless of nationality.
How to apply: At your local Familienkasse (part of the Agentur für Arbeit). You can apply online, by post, or in person.
What you need: Birth certificates (with certified German translation if not in German), your Steuer-ID, child's Steuer-ID, child's registration confirmation.
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