What to know first
- Use the answer to choose your next action, not as a substitute for an authority.
- City offices and appointment systems vary.
- A German word can describe a process, document or office—check which one is meant.
- For money and contracts, compare total cost and cancellation terms.
Your first days
Can you start working before Anmeldung? Your right to work comes from citizenship or residence status, not from Anmeldung alone. An employer can still need your address, insurance and payroll details, so confirm onboarding directly.
What should you do first after arrival? Make your name visible on the mailbox, collect the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, secure health cover, start Anmeldung and keep a record of every appointment and submission.
How long can you stay without registering? The standard rule is Anmeldung within 14 days after moving into a dwelling. Specific temporary-stay exceptions exist, so check §27 of the Federal Registration Act if your stay is short.
Housing and money
Can you open a bank account before Anmeldung? Sometimes. Provider document and address rules differ. N26, Revolut, Wise and Trade Republic can be useful comparisons, but eligibility, deposits, support, fees and account features are not identical.
How much money should you bring? Add deposit, first rent, travel, basic furniture, food, transport and a buffer for delayed salary or reimbursements. Use the moving and cost tools with your actual rent rather than a national average.
Can a landlord ask for SCHUFA? It is common in the private market, but share only the suitable report and avoid unnecessary account data. A SCHUFA report does not replace independent verification of the listing and landlord.
Work and payroll
Do you need a German bank account for work? A SEPA euro account should generally be usable, but a German IBAN can simplify some local processes. Ask payroll which payment details it accepts rather than assuming.
What is your Tax ID? It is a permanent 11-digit personal tax identifier, normally sent after registration. It is different from a Steuernummer used in tax administration or self-employment.
What does an employer normally ask for? Expect identity and work-authorisation evidence, address and contact details, Tax ID, social-insurance number if one exists, health insurer, bank details and contract-specific qualifications.
Transport and daily life
Can you use an ICE with the Deutschlandticket? Normally no: ICE, IC and EC are long-distance products. The 2026 Deutschlandticket is €63 per month for participating local and regional transport.
Is the student ticket automatic? No. The Deutschlandsemesterticket is €37.80 per month (€226.80 for six months) from winter semester 2026/27, but the institution must participate and eligibility and payment are handled locally.
Do shops close on Sundays? Most ordinary shops do. Some stations, airports, bakeries and designated local openings are exceptions; check the exact location and date.
Health and emergencies
Do you need health insurance from day one? Germany requires health cover, but the route depends on work, study, family and residence status. Confirm the effective start date and accepted proof before relying on a card or application receipt.
Where do you go when a doctor is closed? Call 116117 for urgent, non-life-threatening medical help. Call 112 for life-threatening emergencies. For a pharmacy, search the official local emergency pharmacy service.
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Common questions
Can I start working before Anmeldung?
Possibly, if your citizenship or residence status permits work. Anmeldung is not the source of work permission, but the employer may need registration and payroll details.
Can I open a bank account before Anmeldung?
Some providers allow it for some applicants; others require German address evidence. Check the current document list for your nationality and address situation.
How long do I have to complete Anmeldung?
The standard deadline is 14 days after moving into a dwelling, with statutory exceptions for some temporary stays.
Can I use ICE trains with the Deutschlandticket?
Generally no. Use local and regional services and verify the exact train category in the journey planner.
What happens if I lose my Tax ID?
Use the official Federal Central Tax Office retrieval route. The number does not change because the letter was lost.
Do I need a German phone number?
It is not universally mandatory, but it simplifies appointment calls, delivery updates, employer contact and two-factor verification.
Is private health insurance cheaper?
A starting premium alone is not enough to answer. Eligibility, age, health, family coverage, long-term costs and return to statutory insurance all matter.
Can I live in one city and register in another?
You register the dwelling where you actually live. Do not use an address only for paperwork.