Moving to Germany: The Complete Expat Checklist
Moving to Germany is an exciting step — but there’s a lot to organise before and after you arrive. Germany is famous for its bureaucracy (Bürokratie), but once you understand the system, it’s actually well-organised and predictable. This complete checklist covers everything you need to do before you leave home, in your first two weeks, and in your first three months in Germany.
Before You Leave: Pre-Departure Checklist
Documents
Gather and organise: valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your planned stay, German national visa (if required for your nationality), university degree originals and certified German translations, birth certificate with certified German translation, marriage certificate (if applicable), driving licence, and vaccination record (for healthcare and school enrolment purposes).
Finances
Open a German bank account before you leave if possible — some banks like Deutsche Bank and N26 allow account opening online for non-residents. Transfer funds to cover at least three months of living expenses. Inform your home country bank of your move to avoid card blocks. If you have a blocked account for your visa, ensure it is set up and accessible.
Health
Get a copy of your medical records from your doctor, including vaccination history. If you take prescription medication, bring a supply and a doctor’s letter explaining your prescription. Research German public health insurers (Krankenkassen) such as TK (Techniker Krankenkasse), AOK, Barmer, or DAK — you will need to enrol as soon as you start work.
Housing
Secure accommodation before arriving — at minimum a temporary rental for the first few weeks. German landlords typically require a SCHUFA credit report, but for new arrivals, many accept a letter of employment and a deposit. Furnished short-term rentals via platforms like Wunderflats or Mr. Lodge are popular options for new arrivals while you search for permanent housing.
First Two Weeks in Germany: The Critical Steps
1. Anmeldung — Register Your Address (Within 14 Days)
This is the most important bureaucratic step for anyone moving to Germany. You must register your address at the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt) within 14 days of arriving at a permanent address. You need: your passport, your national visa, and a completed registration form (Anmeldeformular). In some cities, you also need a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung — a form signed by your landlord confirming you live there.
After registration, you receive your registration certificate (Anmeldebestätigung) — a crucial document needed for almost everything else: opening a bank account, applying for a tax ID, enrolling for health insurance, and more.
2. Apply for Your Tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer)
Your tax ID (Steuer-ID) is automatically mailed to your registered address within 2–4 weeks of Anmeldung. You need it to receive your salary. If you need it urgently, visit your local tax office (Finanzamt) in person.
3. Open a German Bank Account
Most German employers pay salaries only to German bank accounts. Bring your passport, Anmeldebestätigung, and employment contract. Popular banks for expats include Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, ING, and N26 (fully online). Some banks also accept an appointment confirmation from the Ausländerbehörde in place of a registration certificate for new arrivals.
4. Enrol for Health Insurance
As soon as you start working, your employer will ask which health insurer (Krankenkasse) you want to use. Enrol with a public insurer — TK, AOK, Barmer, and DAK are the most popular. Your employer handles the contributions automatically through payroll. If you are self-employed or a high earner, you may choose private health insurance instead.
First Three Months: Setting Up Your Life
Apply for Your Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel)
If you entered Germany on a national visa, you must convert it to a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde before the visa expires. Book an appointment early — in cities like Berlin and Munich, appointments can be booked out months in advance. Bring all relevant documents including your employment contract, Anmeldebestätigung, passport, and health insurance proof.
Register for German Language Classes
Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) offers subsidised Integration Courses (Integrationskurs) — 700 hours of German language instruction plus a civics orientation course — for a nominal fee. Eligibility depends on your residency status. Even if you don’t qualify for the subsidised course, enrolling in a private language school is strongly recommended.
Register Your Car or Get a German Driving Licence
If you drive, check whether your foreign driving licence is valid in Germany. EU licences are valid indefinitely. Many non-EU licences are valid for 6 months after Anmeldung, after which you must convert to a German licence. Some countries have bilateral agreements for easy conversion; others require taking the German driving test.
Sort Out Childcare and Schools
If you have children, register them for school or Kita (daycare) as soon as possible. School enrolment is handled at the local school catchment area. Childcare waitlists in major German cities can be very long — apply immediately upon arrival or even before.
Join a Sports Club or Community Group
Germans are famously private but deeply loyal once you’re in their circle. The best way to build friendships is through sport (there are over 90,000 sports clubs in Germany), language exchange groups (Tandem), expat community events, and workplace social activities. Making German friends will also improve your language skills faster than any other method.
Ongoing: Important Annual Tasks
File your income tax return (Steuererklärung) — not mandatory for all employees but usually results in a refund for new arrivals. Software like ELSTER (free, official), Taxfix, or WISO makes this easy. Renew your residence permit before it expires. Track your progress toward permanent residency or citizenship milestones.
Final Thought
The bureaucratic process in Germany can feel overwhelming at first, but it is well-structured and logical once you understand the sequence. The most important thing is to do the Anmeldung first — everything else flows from that. Welcome to Germany.