Where are you moving?

France

France is a unitary republic: residence, social security, tax and housing rules are national law, applied locally by the prefecture, the health insurance fund (CPAM), the family benefits fund (CAF) and the town hall. Non-EU newcomers usually validate a long-stay visa online within three months; everyone then sorts out health insurance, a bank account and housing.

Guides: 45

• Paris

Germany

Deutschland

Germany is a federal republic of 16 states (Länder). Most rules newcomers meet, from residence and address registration to tax and social insurance, are federal law, but state and local offices apply them, so procedures and waiting times differ from city to city. The first steps are usually your residence status, registering your address and health insurance.

Guides: 98

• Berlin
• Hamburg
• Munich

Netherlands

Nederland

The Netherlands has 12 provinces, but newcomers deal mainly with their municipality, which registers your address and issues your citizen service number (BSN), and with national bodies such as the IND, the Tax Administration and DigiD. The first steps are usually your residence status, registration within five days, health insurance and a bank account.

Guides: 43

• Amsterdam

Australia

Australia is a federation of six states and two territories. Visas, tax, superannuation and Medicare are national; tenancy, driver licences, schools and public transport are run by each state. Everyone except Australian citizens needs a visa to live or work here, and most newcomers then need a tax file number, a bank account, myGov and a home.

A smaller set of starter guides for the essentials. We are expanding it step by step.

Guides: 15

• Sydney

Austria

Österreich

Austria is a federal EU state of nine provinces. Newcomers deal mainly with the registration office (Meldezettel within three days), the residence authority (MA 35 in Vienna) for permits and EU registration certificates, their health insurer (usually the ÖGK, with the e-card) and the Finanzamt Österreich.

A smaller set of starter guides for the essentials. We are expanding it step by step.

Guides: 16

• Vienna

Canada

Canada is a federation of 10 provinces and 3 territories with two official languages. Immigration, the SIN and income tax are federal; health insurance, driver's licences, schools, renting and most employment rules are provincial. Newcomers usually start with their permit or PR status, a SIN, a bank account and provincial health coverage.

A smaller set of starter guides for the essentials. We are expanding it step by step.

Guides: 15

• Toronto

Ireland

Éire

Ireland is an EU member outside the Schengen area. Immigration, tax, social welfare and tenancy rules are national. Non-EU newcomers staying over 90 days register their permission with Immigration Service Delivery. Most people then need a PPS number, a bank account and a home. British citizens live and work freely under the Common Travel Area.

A smaller set of starter guides for the essentials. We are expanding it step by step.

Guides: 15

• Dublin

Portugal

Portugal is a unitary republic: residence, tax, social security and health rules are national and applied by AIMA (migration), the tax authority (Finanças), Social Security and the National Health Service (SNS). Almost everyone needs a tax number (NIF) early; non-EU newcomers usually arrive with a residence visa and then apply to AIMA for a residence permit.

A smaller set of starter guides for the essentials. We are expanding it step by step.

Guides: 16

• Lisbon

Spain

España

Spain is a decentralised state: immigration, tax, social security and tenancy law are national, while the 17 autonomous communities run health care, education and much of housing policy, and town halls keep the population register (padrón). Newcomers deal with all three levels in their first weeks.

A smaller set of starter guides for the essentials. We are expanding it step by step.

Guides: 27

• Barcelona
• Madrid

United States

The United States is a federal country: immigration, Social Security and federal income tax are national, while health insurance marketplaces, driving licences, tenancy law and state income tax are set by each state, and cities add their own rules and services. Everyone who is not a US citizen needs an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa to live or work here.

A smaller set of starter guides for the essentials. We are expanding it step by step.

Guides: 15

• New York City