Full guide pack
Living in 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.
- Currency
- EUR
- Official languages
- German
- Time zone
- Europe/Berlin
- EU member
- Yes
Cities
BerlinGermany's capital is a city and a state at once, with about 3.9 million registered residents in 12 districts. The Senate runs citywide offices such as the immigration office, while district offices handle registration, childcare vouchers and housing certificates. Most services start at service.berlin.de or the 115 service number. Open the Berlin hub Photo: Kasa Fue, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab) 
HamburgGermany's second-largest city is a city and a state at once, with about 1.87 million residents in seven districts. City-wide authorities, district offices and the Hamburg Service locations share the work; most services start at hamburg.de or the 115 service number, and the Hamburg Welcome Center helps people who move for work. Open the Hamburg hub Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab) 
MunichBavaria's capital has about 1.6 million registered residents in 25 districts. City departments run registration and the immigration office (both in the Kreisverwaltungsreferat, KVR), childcare and housing support citywide. Most services start at stadt.muenchen.de, the 115 service number or the city's Welcome Center for newcomers. Open the Munich hub Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab)
Start here
The country-wide essentials most newcomers need first.
Arrival Usually a few weeks of preparation for EU citizens; often several months for people who need a national visa Moving Plan several weeks to a few months, because apostilles, legalisation and new civil-status certificates are issued in your home country Moving About one hour at the customs office for the declaration, plus preparation of the inventory and documents Emergencies About 10 minutes to save the numbers in your phone
Germany is a federal republic made up of 16 states (Länder, singular Land). Three of them, Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen, are city-states: a single city that is also a state. Knowing how responsibilities are split between the federal level, the states and the municipalities explains much of what newcomers experience, including why the same procedure can look different in Munich, Cologne and Berlin.
Federal law, local offices
Under the Basic Law (Grundgesetz), state powers belong to the states unless the Basic Law assigns them to the federal level (Article 30), and the states carry out federal laws as their own business (Article 83). In everyday terms:
- The rules are mostly federal. Residence and visa law, address registration, income tax, social insurance, labour law and the duty to have health insurance are set by federal law and apply everywhere in the same way.
- The offices are mostly state or local. The immigration office (Ausländerbehörde), the registration office (Meldebehörde, in many cities the Bürgeramt), the tax office (Finanzamt) and the youth office (Jugendamt) belong to a state, a city or a district. Forms, online services, appointment systems and waiting times therefore vary from place to place. A guide written for one city is a good orientation elsewhere, but always check your own town's service pages.
- Some areas belong to the states. Schools are organised by each state, which is why school types and curricula differ when a family moves between states. School holidays are set by the states, with summer holidays coordinated between them. Public holidays are state law too: nine holidays apply in every state (New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, 1 May, German Unity Day on 3 October, and 25 and 26 December), while others exist only in some states.
- A few federal agencies deal with you directly. The Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern, BZSt) issues your tax ID. The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) runs the local employment agencies and the family benefits office (Familienkasse) that pays child benefit. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is responsible for integration courses and asylum procedures. The German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) assigns your social security number.
The state governments take part in federal law-making through the Bundesrat, the chamber in which all 16 states are represented.
What most newcomers deal with first
- Entry and residence status. Citizens of EU and EEA states and Switzerland have freedom of movement and need neither a visa nor a residence permit to live and work in Germany. Most other people need a national visa from a German embassy or consulate before they travel. Nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States may enter without a visa and apply for a residence permit within 90 days of arrival. Residence permits are issued and renewed by the immigration office responsible for where you live.
- Registering your address (Anmeldung). Anyone who moves into a home in Germany must register with the registration office within two weeks of moving in. The registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) is needed for many later steps.
- Tax ID (Steuer-ID). After you register, the registration office passes your data to the BZSt, which sends your 11-digit tax identification number by post. You do not have to apply for it, but your name must be on your letterbox for the letter to arrive. If nothing has come after three months, you can ask the BZSt.
- Health insurance. Everyone who lives in Germany must have health insurance, either in the statutory system or with a private insurer. Which one applies depends mainly on your work and income.
- Social security number. When you start your first job in Germany, the German Pension Insurance issues your social security number (Versicherungsnummer). You keep it for life; employers and insurers ask for it.
- Money, phone and home. A German bank account (IBAN), a phone number and a rental contract make salary, contracts and further appointments much easier. Each has its own guide.
Getting help
- 115 is the public service number for questions to the administration. It answers on behalf of federal, state and many local authorities in most of Germany; in Berlin it is staffed Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 18:00. Your provider's normal call charges may apply.
- Migration counselling for adults (Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zuwanderer, MBE) is free and confidential, in person at local advice centres or online through mbeon for people aged 28 and over. Younger people can contact the Youth Migration Services (Jugendmigrationsdienste).
- Consumer advice centres (Verbraucherzentralen), one in each state, help with contracts, energy, insurance, telecoms and scams. Some advice is free, some is charged.
- Official English translations of many federal laws are published on Gesetze im Internet. They are a convenience only: the German text is the binding version, and translations can lag behind recent amendments.
The HomiStart guides explain each of these steps in detail. They are general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and individual situations differ, so confirm details with the official sources linked in each guide or with the office responsible for you.
Guides by topic
All guides (98)
Moving Plan several weeks to a few months, because apostilles, legalisation and new civil-status certificates are issued in your home country Moving About one hour at the customs office for the declaration, plus preparation of the inventory and documents
Registration A few minutes to fill in the form; a short counter visit or a letter Registration A few minutes for the person signing it; ask for it when you get the keys
Residence and visas Visa from abroad: several weeks to a few months, depending on the embassy (with the fast-track procedure, an appointment within three weeks and usually a decision within three more). In Berlin: at least 2 to 3 months for an online application, then 4 to 6 weeks for the eAT card. Residence and visas Preparing documents (legalisation, translations, an A1 course and exam) often takes several months. Visa processing varies widely by embassy. In Berlin, allow at least 4 weeks after the joint appointment for the eAT card. Residence and visas For EU/EEA citizens, usually just the address registration appointment. For non-EU family members, one appointment at the immigration office plus about 4 weeks until the residence card is ready. Residence and visas Gathering documents (ZAB statement, language certificate, blocked account) often takes several weeks. Visa processing varies by embassy; some missions state about 6 to 10 weeks, others around two months. Residence and visas About 1-2 hours for the online application if your documents are ready; then weeks to months until the interview, plus at least 4 weeks for the card Residence and visas Several weeks to several months, depending on the route, the German embassy abroad and the local immigration office. In Berlin, expect at least 2 to 3 months for a decision after an online application, plus 4 to 6 weeks for the card. Residence and visas Residence and visas Recognition can take weeks to months (recognition bodies have two months once documents are complete in the fast-track procedure). Visa: varies widely by embassy. In the fast-track procedure, an appointment within three weeks of pre-approval and usually a decision within three more weeks. In Berlin: at least 2 to 3 months for the residence permit, then 4 to 6 weeks for the card.
Housing About 15 minutes to read; keep it open while you compare listings or check a contract Housing Notice at least three months ahead; the handover itself takes about an hour; the deposit can take up to six months or longer for the part held back for service charges Housing One to three hours to collect, redact and combine your documents once; then minutes per application Housing About 10 minutes to read; a few minutes of checks for each promising listing
Jobs Several hours to prepare a solid German-style CV and cover letter the first time, then about one to two hours to tailor each application. Jobs Varies widely by field and language level. Plan in weeks or months rather than days: many employers run several interview rounds before making an offer.
Employment Trade registration and the tax questionnaire take a few hours. The tax number arrives by post once the tax office has processed your questionnaire. For non-EU nationals, a residence permit for self-employment can take several months. Employment A few hours to research and prepare; usually 3-4 months for the procedure once your application is complete (about 2 months in the employer-led accelerated procedure) Employment About 15 minutes to read. Check the rules before you sign a contract for a side job. Employment About 15 to 30 minutes for each online registration, plus an appointment with the Agentur für Arbeit afterwards. Allow more time to gather documents for the benefit application. Employment About 20 minutes to read; keep it at hand when you sign a contract or if a problem arises.
Money About 10 minutes to request a free data copy online; the copy arrives by post. Access through the SCHUFA account requires a one-time identity check. Money About 20 minutes to read; nothing to apply for as an employee, because your employer registers you Money About 10 minutes online to register or to tell the contribution service who already pays
Taxes Two to four hours for a simple employee return once you have your documents. ELSTER registration takes extra time because the activation code is sent by post. Taxes About 20 minutes to read; checking your tax class and payslip takes a few minutes each month Taxes Nothing to do for the first letter; a few minutes to request it again online
Insurance About 30 minutes to choose a statutory insurer and apply online; private insurance applications take longer because of the health questionnaire Insurance About an hour to compare and buy a personal liability policy online
Family About 20 to 30 minutes for the online application once you have both tax IDs. Processing time varies. Family About 1 to 2 hours to complete the application with all documents, plus processing time at the Elterngeld office Family Spread over the pregnancy: regular check-ups, a few hours to find a midwife and choose a hospital, and a few hours after the birth for registration and applications
Language Months to years, depending on your goal - the federally funded integration course plans 600 lessons of language teaching to get from beginner to B1 Language The general course has 700 lessons of 45 minutes - at around 20 lessons a week that is roughly 35 teaching weeks; part-time courses take longer. Allow a few weeks before the start for paperwork and placement.
Internet and mobile 15–30 minutes in a shop, or 20–40 minutes online including the identity check Internet and mobile 30–60 minutes to compare and order; activation from a few days to several weeks, much longer if fibre still has to be built
Consumer rights 15 minutes to read; individual advice at the Verbraucherzentrale Berlin takes about 20 minutes Consumer rights An hour to find the right advice service; applying for Beratungshilfe usually takes one visit or letter to the local court.