First 14 days in Germany

Step-by-step guide for the most important administrative steps in the first two weeks after arriving in Germany.

5 min readUpdated:27 April 2026

Why 14 days?

The Federal Registration Act (Bundesmeldegesetz) requires you to register within 14 days of moving into an apartment (§ 17 BMG). The deadline starts not from entry into the country but from when you have an address. Plan all steps in advance.

Day 1-3

Housing and document preparation

Secure housing

Priority

Move into an apartment, room or temporary accommodation. For Anmeldung you need an actual address — a hotel, Airbnb or room at a friend's can work temporarily.

Tips

▸In a hotel — you can wait for permanent housing, but mind the 14-day deadline
▸At a friend's — ask for the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung right away

Gather documents

Priority

Prepare passport, Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation) and lease if you have one. Download the Anmeldeformular from your local Bürgeramt's website.

Tips

▸Search Google for the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form: "[your city] Wohnungsgeberbestätigung PDF"
▸Fill out the Anmeldeformular in advance — saves 10 minutes at the counter

Book an appointment at the Bürgeramt

Priority

Most cities require appointments at the Bürgeramt. Check the online booking system immediately — in Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt, appointments can be booked weeks in advance.

Tips

▸Berlin: service.berlin.de — check multiple locations, appointments free up in the morning
▸Some Bürgeramt offices accept walk-ins — arrive before opening

Day 4-7

Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt

Complete Anmeldung

Priority

Bring all documents to the Bürgeramt. The process takes 10-15 minutes. You receive the Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate) immediately.

Tips

▸Arrive 10 minutes early — you'll be directed to a counter
▸Staff usually speak only German — prepare basic phrases or bring someone who speaks German
▸Request 2-3 copies of the Meldebescheinigung immediately — useful for bank and employer

Keep your Meldebescheinigung safe

Priority

This is your most important document in the first months. You'll need it for bank account, health insurance, employment contract and much more.

Tips

▸Scan and save a digital copy on your phone
▸Never give away the original — always use copies

Day 7-10

Health insurance and bank

Sign up for health insurance

Priority

Choose a statutory health fund (Krankenkasse) — TK, AOK or Barmer are the most common choices for newcomers. Registration can be done online. You receive a membership certificate for your employer.

Tips

▸TK has an excellent online process — registration takes 15 minutes at tk.de
▸Card arrives by post in 1-2 weeks, but you get the certificate digitally right away
▸If you already have a job — your employer can register you, but it's faster to do it yourself

Open a bank account

Priority

With a Meldebescheinigung you can open an account at any bank. Without Anmeldung — N26 and Wise work without it.

Tips

▸DKB: fully online, free current account — dkb.de
▸Sparkasse: visit a branch in person with passport and Meldebescheinigung
▸You get your IBAN immediately — forward it to your employer for salary

Register with your employer

Important

Provide your employer with Meldebescheinigung, health insurance certificate and bank details. You can submit the tax ID later when it arrives.

Tips

▸Without a tax ID, the employer temporarily applies tax class 6 (highest rate) — the difference is refunded
▸Ask HR for a list of required documents before your first workday

Day 10-14

Tax ID, GEZ and final steps

Wait for your Tax ID

Important

The Steuer-ID (tax identification number) is automatically generated after Anmeldung and arrives by post in 2-4 weeks. The 11-digit number is valid for life.

Tips

▸If you need it urgently — visit the Finanzamt with passport and Meldebescheinigung
▸Call BZSt: 0228 406-1240 (Monday-Friday 8am-4pm)
▸Forward the tax ID to your employer as soon as it arrives

Register for Rundfunkbeitrag (GEZ)

Important

Register at rundfunkbeitrag.de. The fee is EUR 18.36 per month per household (as of April 2026). Registration is automatic — you'll receive a letter, but it's better to register yourself.

Tips

▸Living with roommates — only one household pays. Register and indicate who already pays.
▸Payment: direct debit (Lastschrift) is easiest — no missed payments

Complete Schufa registration

Optional

Opening a bank account automatically creates your Schufa profile. For apartment hunting, order a Schufa-BonitätsAuskunft at meineschufa.de (about EUR 30) or a free Datenkopie.

Tips

▸Free copy: meineschufa.de → "Datenkopie (nach Art. 15 DS-GVO)"
▸Wait at least 2-3 weeks after opening the account before requesting a copy

Quick checklist

Housing secured

Apartment, room or temporary accommodation

Wohnungsgeberbestätigung obtained

Confirmation from landlord

Bürgeramt appointment booked

Online or walk-in

Anmeldung completed

Meldebescheinigung received

Health insurance enrolled

TK (opens in a new tab), AOK (opens in a new tab), Barmer (opens in a new tab) or other fund

Bank account opened

N26 (opens in a new tab)/Wise (opens in a new tab) immediately, DKB (opens in a new tab)/Sparkasse after

Documents submitted to employer

Meldebescheinigung, insurance, IBAN

Tax ID received

By post in 2-4 weeks

Rundfunkbeitrag registered

rundfunkbeitrag.de — EUR 18.36/month

Back to Anmeldung guide Start interactive guide

Quick checklist

Housing secured

Apartment, room or temporary accommodation

Wohnungsgeberbestätigung obtained

Confirmation from landlord

Bürgeramt appointment booked

Online or walk-in

Anmeldung completed

Meldebescheinigung received

Health insurance enrolled

TK (opens in a new tab), AOK (opens in a new tab), Barmer (opens in a new tab) or other fund

Bank account opened

N26 (opens in a new tab)/Wise (opens in a new tab) immediately, DKB (opens in a new tab)/Sparkasse after

Documents submitted to employer

Meldebescheinigung, insurance, IBAN

Tax ID received

By post in 2-4 weeks

Rundfunkbeitrag registered

rundfunkbeitrag.de — EUR 18.36/month

First 14 days in Germany

Housing and document preparation

Secure housing

Gather documents

Book an appointment at the Bürgeramt

Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt

Complete Anmeldung

Keep your Meldebescheinigung safe

Health insurance and bank

Sign up for health insurance

Open a bank account

Register with your employer

Tax ID, GEZ and final steps

Wait for your Tax ID

Register for Rundfunkbeitrag (GEZ)

Complete Schufa registration

Quick checklist

Related guides

Anmeldung — registering your address

Anmeldung without your own apartment

Bürgeramt appointment

First 14 days in Germany

Housing and document preparation

Secure housing

Gather documents

Book an appointment at the Bürgeramt

Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt

Complete Anmeldung

Keep your Meldebescheinigung safe

Health insurance and bank

Sign up for health insurance

Open a bank account

Register with your employer

Tax ID, GEZ and final steps

Wait for your Tax ID

Register for Rundfunkbeitrag (GEZ)

Complete Schufa registration

Quick checklist

Related guides

Anmeldung — registering your address

Anmeldung without your own apartment

Bürgeramt appointment