Must-Do Paperwork After Moving to Germany

When you first arrive in Germany, there are several important administrative steps you must complete to ensure a smooth transition. Here’s what you need to do:


🏦 Open a German Bank Account
💳 Why? Needed for salary deposits, rent payments, and daily transactions.
🏛 Popular Banks: Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Sparkasse, N26 (for digital banking).


⚕️ Get Health Insurance (Krankenversicherung)
🏥 Mandatory: All residents must have health insurance in Germany.
⚖️ Types: Public (gesetzliche) or Private (private) health insurance.
💡 Top Providers: TK, SBK AOK, Barmer (public) | Ottonova, Allianz (private).


💼 Apply for a Tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer)
📩 Automatically Issued: Sent by mail after address registration. In case there is a change in process, you must contact the issuing authority.
💰 Needed for: Employment, tax filings, and social security contributions.


🛃 Residence Permit (If Applicable)
🏢 For Non-EU Citizens: Visit the Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners’ Office) to apply.
📑 Documents Needed: Visa, proof of employment/study, health insurance, financial proof.

These are the key steps to legally settle in Germany.