Last updated: March 2026

TL;DR: Your first two weeks in Germany determine how smoothly the rest of your stay goes. The critical sequence: find accommodation before arrival, register your address (Anmeldung) within 14 days, enroll at your university, activate your blocked account, get a SIM card, open a bank account, and apply for your residence permit before your visa expires.

What Should You Do First After Arriving in Germany?

Register your address (Anmeldung) within 14 days of arrival. This single step unlocks everything else: opening a bank account, getting a residence permit, signing up for health insurance, and activating your blocked account. Without the Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate), you cannot complete any other administrative task.

Here is the recommended sequence and timeline:

| Priority | Task | Deadline | Where | |

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---| | 1 | Move into accommodation | Day 1 | Your pre-arranged housing | | 2 | Address registration (Anmeldung) | Within 14 days | Buergeramt / Einwohnermeldeamt | | 3 | University enrollment | Within enrollment period | Studentensekretariat | | 4 | Open a bank account | Week 1-2 | Bank branch or online (N26, Wise) | | 5 | Activate blocked account | Week 1-2 | Online (Expatrio/Fintiba) or Deutsche Bank branch | | 6 | Get a SIM card | Day 1-3 | Supermarket, electronics store, or online | | 7 | Apply for residence permit | Before visa expires | Auslaenderbehoerde | | 8 | Set up utilities and internet | Week 2-4 | Online or at provider stores |

1. Secure Your Accommodation

Start searching the moment you receive your admission letter, not after you arrive. Student housing (Studentenwerk) is the most affordable option but has long waiting lists, so apply immediately.

| Accommodation Type | Monthly Cost (2026) | Pros | Cons | |

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---| | Student hall (Studentenwohnheim) | EUR 250-450 | Affordable, furnished, all-inclusive rent, social | High demand, limited privacy, shared facilities | | Shared flat (WG) | EUR 350-600 | Moderate cost, social, flexible | Usually unfurnished, shared kitchen/bathroom | | Private apartment | EUR 500-1,000+ | Full privacy, own space | Expensive, often unfurnished, deposit of 2-3 months rent |

Key German housing terms:

• Kaltmiete = base rent (excludes utilities)
• Warmmiete = total rent (includes heating, water, waste)
• Nebenkosten = additional costs (electricity is usually separate)
• Kaution = security deposit (typically 2-3 months of Kaltmiete)
• Moebliert = furnished; Unmoebliert = unfurnished

For websites and detailed tips, read our housing guide and the guide on finding temporary accommodation.

2. Register Your Address (Anmeldung)

This is legally required within 14 days of moving in. You register at the Buergeramt (citizens office) or Einwohnermeldeamt (registration office).

Documents needed:

• Valid passport with visa
• Completed registration form (Anmeldeformular), downloadable from your city's website
• Rental contract (Mietvertrag)
• Landlord confirmation form (Wohnungsgeberbestaetigung), signed by your landlord or Studentenwerk

After registration, you receive: A Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate). Keep this document safe. You will need it for bank accounts, residence permits, employment, and phone contracts.

Tips:

• Book your Buergeramt appointment online as soon as you know your move-in date. Slots fill up 2-4 weeks in advance in cities like Berlin and Munich
• If no online slots are available, go to the office at opening time (typically 7:30-8:00 AM) for walk-in appointments
• Bring a German-speaking friend if possible, as many Buergeramt staff do not speak English

3. Enroll at Your University

Before classes start, complete your enrollment (Immatrikulation) at the Studentensekretariat (Office of Student Affairs). Your admission letter specifies the enrollment period and required documents.

Documents needed:

• Passport with valid visa
• Admission letter
• Proof of health insurance (Versicherungsbescheinigung)
• Residence permit or visa
• German language certificate (if required by your program)

After enrollment, you receive:

• Student ID card (may take a few weeks to arrive by mail)
• Certificate of enrollment (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung), needed for residence permit applications
• Semester ticket information for public transport

Put your name on your mailbox. In Germany, all official documents (student ID, bank cards, insurance cards) arrive by post. If your name is not on the mailbox, the postal carrier will not deliver your mail.

4. Open a Bank Account

You need a German current account (Girokonto) for receiving your blocked account monthly transfers, paying rent, and eventually your part-time job salary.

Fastest option: N26 (fully digital, free, English-language app, account active in 30 minutes after video verification).

Best for cash deposits: Commerzbank or Sparkasse (physical branches, free for students).

Read our full German bank account guide for a detailed comparison of all options.

5. Activate Your Blocked Account

Your blocked account releases EUR 992/month for living expenses. After arriving, you need to link it to your German bank account.

| Provider | Activation Process | |

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---| | Expatrio / Fintiba | Log in, enter your German IBAN. Monthly transfers begin automatically | | Deutsche Bank | Visit the nearest Deutsche Bank branch with passport, visa, admission letter, and Meldebescheinigung. Card and activation letter arrive by mail in 1-2 weeks |

For provider comparisons and setup details, visit our blocked account service page or use the Blocked Account Calculator.

6. Get a SIM Card

Buy a prepaid SIM card on day one for mobile data, calls, and two-factor authentication for banking apps. The three main network operators: Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile), Vodafone, and O2.

Budget-friendly options (2026):

| Provider | Network | Monthly Cost | Data | Where to Buy | |

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---| | Aldi Talk | O2 | EUR 7.99 | 7 GB | Aldi supermarkets | | Lidl Connect | Vodafone | EUR 7.99 | 6 GB | Lidl supermarkets | | Fraenk | Telekom | EUR 12 | 12 GB | Online only | | O2 Prepaid | O2 | EUR 9.99 | 6 GB | O2 shops, electronics stores |

Documents needed: Passport and Meldebescheinigung. SIM activation requires video verification (online) or in-store ID check. Activation takes 10-30 minutes.

Tip: Germany uses Type C and F power sockets (European two-pin). Bring an adapter from home or buy one at the airport.

7. Apply for Your Residence Permit

If you entered Germany on a student visa (valid for 90 days), you must apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) at the Auslaenderbehoerde (Foreigners Office) before your visa expires.

Documents needed:

• Passport with valid visa
• Biometric photo
• Meldebescheinigung
• University enrollment certificate
• Health insurance certificate
• Proof of financial resources (blocked account statement)
• Rental contract
• Completed application form
• Fee: EUR 100-110

Types of student residence permits:

• Regular student permit: Valid for the duration of your program. Allows working 140 full days or 280 half days per year
• Preparatory course permit: For Studienkolleg attendance
• Language course permit: Up to 12 months for language preparation

Tips:

• Book your Auslaenderbehoerde appointment as early as possible, ideally within your first week. In cities like Berlin, wait times can be 4-8 weeks
• Bring all original documents plus copies
• The permit is usually affixed as a sticker in your passport

For detailed requirements, see our visa types guide and residence permit guide.

8. Set Up Utilities and Internet

Student halls: Heating, water, electricity, and often internet are included in your rent. Confirm with your Studentenwerk.

Private apartments: You may need to set up electricity and internet yourself.

| Utility | How to Set Up | Typical Cost | |

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---| | Electricity | Register with a provider (compare on Check24.de) | EUR 40-60/month | | Internet | O2, Vodafone, or Telekom (12-24 month contracts) | EUR 25-40/month | | Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcast fee) | Mandatory: EUR 18.36/month per household, regardless of TV ownership. Register at rundfunkbeitrag.de | EUR 18.36/month |

Broadcast fee (Rundfunkbeitrag): Every household in Germany must pay EUR 18.36/month (EUR 220.32/year). If you share a flat, one person pays for the entire household and splits the cost with flatmates. BAfoG recipients can apply for exemption. Do not ignore this fee; unpaid fees accumulate with penalties.

First-Week Checklist

• Move into accommodation
• Put your name on the mailbox
• Register address at Buergeramt (Anmeldung)
• Buy a SIM card
• Open a German bank account
• Activate your blocked account with German IBAN
• Enroll at university
• Book Auslaenderbehoerde appointment for residence permit
• Set up internet (if not included in rent)
• Register for broadcast fee (Rundfunkbeitrag)
• Buy a Deutschland-Ticket (EUR 58/month) for public transport

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most urgent thing to do after arriving in Germany?

Register your address (Anmeldung) within 14 days. Without the Meldebescheinigung, you cannot open a bank account, apply for a residence permit, activate your blocked account, or sign a phone contract. Book your Buergeramt appointment before you even arrive if possible.

How much money should I bring in cash when arriving?

Bring EUR 200-500 in cash for immediate expenses (transport from airport, groceries, SIM card, small purchases). Germany is more cash-dependent than many countries, especially for smaller shops and bakeries. You can withdraw more from ATMs once your bank account is set up.

Can I use my home country bank card in Germany?

Yes, Visa and Mastercard debit/credit cards work at most ATMs and larger stores. However, many German supermarkets (Aldi, Lidl, Rewe) and restaurants only accept Girocard (the German debit card system) or cash. Open a German bank account within your first week to avoid foreign transaction fees.

What happens if I miss the 14-day deadline for address registration?

Late registration can result in a fine of up to EUR 1,000, though in practice, authorities are more lenient with international students who can show they were actively trying to register. If you cannot find accommodation within 14 days, register as soon as you have a permanent address and explain the delay.

Do I need the Deutschland-Ticket or a semester ticket?

The Deutschland-Ticket (EUR 58/month in 2026) covers all local and regional public transport across Germany. Many universities include a semester ticket in your semester contribution, which may be cheaper or already cover the Deutschland-Ticket. Check with your university before buying separately.