First Steps in Germany: Your Arrival Checklist

Your first week in Germany is about securing the bureaucratic foundations. Everything else builds on these.

Day 1-2: Immediate Priorities

• Activate your SIM card: If you bought a German SIM before arriving (recommended: Lebara, Lycamobile for quick activation), activate it at the airport or your first WiFi connection. If not, buy a prepaid SIM at any supermarket (Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect from €8) or electronics store (MediaMarkt, Saturn). Note: German law requires identity verification for SIM activation, so bring your passport. Video-ident or in-store verification takes 10-30 minutes
• Get to your accommodation: Have the address saved offline. The Deutschlandticket app (DB Navigator, or your local transit app) lets you buy a monthly ticket digitally for €63/month, valid on all local and regional public transport nationwide
• Contact your landlord: Request the Wohnungsgeberbestatigung (landlord confirmation form). You absolutely need this for Anmeldung. Landlords are legally required to provide it within 14 days of your move-in

Day 3-5: Anmeldung (City Registration)

This is your single most important task. Without Anmeldung, you cannot open a bank account, get a tax ID, sign up for health insurance, or apply for a residence permit.

• What: Register your address at the local Burgeramt (citizens' office) or Einwohnermeldeamt
• Deadline: Within 14 days of moving into your apartment. This is a legal obligation
• Documents needed: Passport, rental contract, Wohnungsgeberbestatigung, and the Anmeldung form (available at the Burgeramt or downloadable online)
• Outcome: You receive a Meldebestatigung (registration confirmation), a single-page document that is your key to everything else. Keep the original safe and make copies
• Cost: Free
• Appointment: Most cities require an online appointment. In large cities (Berlin, Munich), slots can be booked out for weeks. Check daily for cancellations, try smaller Burgeramt offices in outer districts, or show up early for walk-in slots (some offices still offer them)

Once you have your Meldebestatigung, you can open a German bank account. This is essential for receiving salary, paying rent, and activating your blocked account withdrawals.

Best Options for Newcomers

N26 (recommended for speed)

• Free online bank account, opens in 10 minutes via app
• Video verification with passport (no Meldebestatigung required to open, but you must update your address later)
• Free Mastercard debit card (virtual immediately, physical card in 5-7 days)
• English-language app and support
• IBAN starts with DE, fully functional German bank account

Deutsche Bank

• Traditional bank with physical branches everywhere
• Student account (Junges Konto) is free for students up to age 30
• Requires in-branch appointment with passport and Meldebestatigung
• Also serves as a blocked account provider, making it convenient if you opened your blocked account with them

Sparkasse

• Local savings bank with the largest branch network in Germany
• Good for in-person banking; staff in smaller cities may not speak English
• Account fees vary by region (typically €3-8/month)
• Widely trusted by landlords and employers

Blocked Account Activation

If you have a blocked account (Expatrio, Fintiba, or Deutsche Bank), you need to activate the monthly withdrawals. After Anmeldung, log into your blocked account provider and provide your German bank IBAN. Monthly withdrawals of €992 will begin automatically.

Tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer)

Your 11-digit tax ID is automatically generated after Anmeldung and mailed to your registered address within 2-4 weeks. You need it for employment. If your employer needs it urgently, you can call the Bundeszentralamt fur Steuern to request it by phone or request it via the online portal.

Prepaid SIM Options (No Contract)

• Aldi Talk: €8 starter pack, 3GB data for €8/month. Uses the O2/Telefonica network. Available at any Aldi supermarket
• Lidl Connect: Similar pricing, uses Vodafone network. Available at Lidl stores
• Lebara / Lycamobile: Good for international calls. Can often be activated with a foreign passport before arriving in Germany
• Congstar: Uses Telekom (best coverage). Prepaid plans from €10/month with 5GB

Contract Plans (After You Are Settled)

Once you have a German bank account and address, you can switch to a contract plan for better value:

• Telekom (MagentaMobil): Best network coverage, especially in rural areas. From €30/month for 10GB
• Vodafone: Strong urban coverage, competitive pricing. From €25/month
• O2: Most affordable of the big three. From €20/month for 15GB+
• fraenk, ALDI Talk, smartmobil: Budget MVNOs with excellent value (10-20GB for €10-15/month)

WiFi and Internet at Home

Home internet contracts in Germany typically have a 24-month minimum term. If you are on a student or short-term visa, consider:

• Flexible contracts: 1&1 (1 month notice), congstar Homespot, or Freenet Funk
• University WiFi: eduroam is available at all German universities, free for enrolled students
• Average cost: €25-40/month for 50-100 Mbit/s

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. If you arranged your insurance before arriving, you need to activate it. If not, this is urgent.

For Students

• You should have enrolled with a public health insurer (TK, AOK, Barmer, DAK) before or upon arrival
• Visit a local branch or complete enrollment online. You will need your university enrollment certificate and Meldebestatigung
• Cost: approximately €120-150/month for the student tariff (covers health + long-term care insurance)
• Your insurer provides a Mitgliedsbescheinigung (membership confirmation) that you need for both university enrollment and the Auslanderbehorde

For Workers

• Your employer handles enrollment. They register you with a public insurer of your choice within 14 days of your start date
• Contributions are split 50/50 between you and your employer, deducted from your paycheck automatically
• If you earn above the threshold (€73,800/year in 2026), you can opt for private insurance instead

For Freelancers

• You can choose public or private insurance
• Public: Voluntary membership in TK, AOK, etc. at approximately 14.6% of your income (plus supplementary contributions), with a minimum monthly premium around €220
• Private: Fixed premium based on age, health, and coverage level. Often cheaper for young, healthy freelancers (€200-400/month) but can become expensive with age

See the full health insurance guide for detailed comparisons.

Auslanderbehorde Appointment

Book your immigration office appointment as soon as possible, ideally in week 1. You need to apply for your residence permit before your national visa expires.

• Online booking: Most cities have online systems. Check your city's Auslanderbehorde website
• Documents: Passport, visa, Meldebestatigung, university enrollment/job contract, health insurance confirmation, blocked account/financial proof, rental contract, biometric photos
• Tip: In cities with long wait times, send your application by registered mail if you cannot get a timely appointment. This preserves your legal status

University Enrollment (Students)

• Complete your enrollment (Immatrikulation) at the university's student office (Studierendensekretariat)
• You need: admission letter, passport, health insurance confirmation (Mitgliedsbescheinigung), and any other documents specified in your admission letter
• You receive your student ID (Studierendenausweis) and semester ticket (often included in the Semesterbeitrag or available as the Deutschlandticket)
• Semester fee (Semesterbeitrag): €150-400 depending on the university, covering admin fees and sometimes a transit pass

Rundfunkbeitrag (Broadcasting Fee)

Within weeks of your Anmeldung, you will receive a letter from the Beitragsservice (ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio). This is the mandatory TV/radio tax of €18.36/month per household. It is not optional. Students in dorms pay individually; shared apartments (WGs) pay once per apartment. Register online at rundfunkbeitrag.de. Exemptions exist for very low-income residents (BAfoG recipients, social benefit recipients).

Library Card

Your local Stadtbibliothek (city library) offers free WiFi, study spaces, and borrowing privileges. Student rates are usually €10-20/year or free. Bring your Meldebestatigung and student ID.

Deutschlandticket

The Deutschlandticket is Germany's nationwide public transport pass, valid on all local and regional trains, buses, trams, and metros across the country. Since January 2026, it costs €63/month.

• Coverage: All local and regional public transport (S-Bahn, U-Bahn, Strassenbahn, buses, regional trains RE/RB). Does NOT cover ICE, IC, or EC long-distance trains
• How to buy: Via the DB Navigator app, your local transit authority's app (BVG for Berlin, MVV for Munich, RMV for Frankfurt), or at ticket counters
• Subscription model: Monthly auto-renewal, cancel before the 10th of the month for the following month
• Student discount: Some universities negotiate a reduced Semesterticket that functions as a Deutschlandticket. Check with your university's AStA (student union)

Cycling

Germany is extremely bike-friendly. Many cities have extensive bike lane networks. Options:

• Buy used: eBay Kleinanzeigen (now "Kleinanzeigen"), university bulletin boards, or flea markets. Good used bikes cost €50-150
• Bike sharing: Nextbike (available in 70+ German cities), Lime, Tier
• Always buy a good lock: Bike theft is common. Invest in a €30-50 U-lock or chain lock

Driving

International driving licenses are valid for 6 months after arrival. After that, you must convert to a German license. The process varies by country:

• EU/EEA licenses: Direct exchange, no test needed
• Some non-EU countries (USA, Japan, South Korea, etc.): Simplified exchange, may require a theory or practical test
• Most other countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.): Full driving school, theory exam (available in English), and practical test. Cost: €1,500-3,000. Takes 2-6 months

Your First Two Weeks Checklist

1. Activate SIM card and internet
2. Get Wohnungsgeberbestatigung from landlord
3. Complete Anmeldung at Burgeramt (within 14 days)
4. Open German bank account
5. Activate blocked account withdrawals
6. Activate/enroll in health insurance
7. Book Auslanderbehorde appointment
8. Complete university enrollment (students)
9. Buy Deutschlandticket
10. Register for Rundfunkbeitrag
11. Get a bike or transit app set up