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Moving to Germany means working through a chain of registrations, and the order matters more than most people expect. Several steps are blocked until an earlier one is done — you usually can't open a bank account without a registered address, and payroll only runs cleanly once you have a tax ID. This guide walks the typical sequence so nothing catches you out.
Who this applies to
- Applies to: anyone relocating to Germany — skilled workers, students, and families.
- Also relevant if: you already hold a visa and need to finish the in-country steps.
- Not covered here: choosing a visa route — start with the EU Blue Card, Opportunity Card, or residence permit guides.
Requirements
- Somewhere to live — even temporary — so you can register your address.
- Your core documents: a valid passport and, depending on your route, a job contract, degree, or proof of enrolment.
- If your nationality needs a visa before arrival, that comes first.
Step-by-step
1. Register your address (Anmeldung)
The Anmeldung is the keystone. The certificate it produces unlocks your tax ID, most bank accounts, and your residence permit.
2. Get health insurance
Health insurance is mandatory and required to finalize most permits. Understand the public vs. private choice before you commit.
3. Open a bank account
You'll need a German account for salary, rent, and direct debits — see opening a bank account.
4. Receive your tax ID
Your tax ID arrives by post after your Anmeldung; your employer needs it for payroll.
5. Apply for your residence permit
If you entered on a visa or visa-free, you'll convert to a residence permit at the local immigration office.
The correct order is different for every person.
A checklist can list the steps, but several of them are blocked until an earlier one is done — and which steps apply to you, and in what order, depends on your visa, city, family, and dates. A static list can't work out that order for your case; planning software can sequence it to your situation and re-order as each step is completed.
Timeline
Register your address
Week 1As soon as you have somewhere to live.Health insurance + bank account
Week 1–2Both usually need your registration first.Tax ID arrives by post
Week 2–4Automatic after the Anmeldung.Residence permit
Month 1–3Depends on appointment availability.
Required documents
The core set most people need
- Valid passport (and visa, if you have one)
- Landlord confirmation for registration (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
- Employment contract, degree, or proof of enrolment — depending on your route
- Biometric passport photos
- Marriage / birth certificates if you're moving with family
Common mistakes
- Leaving the address registration late — it blocks almost everything downstream.
- Assuming the steps are independent — several genuinely depend on an earlier one.
- Choosing health insurance without understanding the public/private trade-off.
Frequently asked questions
What's the very first thing to do after arriving?
Does the order really matter?
How long does the whole process take?
Related guides
Anmeldung in Germany: How to Register Your Address
What the Anmeldung is, why it unlocks your tax ID, bank account, and residence permit, the documents you need, and how to book the appointment.
The EU Blue Card in Germany: A Practical Guide
Who the EU Blue Card is for, how the degree and salary requirements work, the typical process, and the path it opens to permanent residence.
The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) in Germany
What the Opportunity Card is, who it's for, and how this points-based route lets skilled people come to Germany to look for work without a job offer first.
Health Insurance in Germany: Public vs. Private
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Understand how public (GKV) and private (PKV) cover differ, who can choose which, and how to get insured as a newcomer.
How to Open a Bank Account in Germany
The documents you need to open a German bank account, the difference between traditional and online banks, and how to get set up for salary, rent, and direct debits.
Residence Permits in Germany: How to Apply
The difference between an entry visa and a residence permit, what the immigration office expects, how appointments work, and how to keep your stay legal while you wait.
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