First Week in Germany Checklist

You don't need to do everything on day one

You've landed, and the to-do list can feel endless. It isn't — most of it doesn't need to happen this week, and some of it doesn't need to happen at all until later. This checklist focuses on what actually matters most right now, roughly in order.

Still preparing to fly, or haven't left yet? Start with the Pre-Departure Checklist → instead — this page picks up right after you land.

Settle in & get connected

Check your Anmeldung

Anmeldung means registering your residence with the local registration authority (Bürgeramt or Einwohnermeldeamt). If you've moved into accommodation in Germany, you generally have two weeks from your move-in date — not your arrival date — to register.

• Found your local Bürgeramt
• Checked whether you need an appointment
• Checked whether online registration is available
• Prepared your passport/ID
• Prepared your Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
• Prepared any city-specific form
• Completed registration within the deadline
• Kept your registration confirmation (Meldebescheinigung)

This is written confirmation from your housing provider that you've moved in — a rental contract alone isn't accepted at the registration office. Under §19 BMG, your housing provider has a legal duty to cooperate and issue this within the same two-week window.

Confirm your health insurance

Health insurance matters for more than healthcare — it's also required for university enrolment.

• Confirmed your insurance is active
• Checked your university has received the required notification
• Asked your insurer if anything's still missing
• Saved your insurance documents
• Kept your insurance card/details accessible

Complete your university onboarding

This step applies if you're studying at a university. Doing an Ausbildung instead? Your onboarding runs through your training company and vocational school, not Immatrikulation — see the Ausbildung Roadmap → for what that actually involves.

• Completed Immatrikulation (enrolment)
• Paid the Semesterbeitrag by the deadline
• Submitted any outstanding documents
• Confirmed your enrolment status
• Downloaded your Immatrikulationsbescheinigung
• Activated your university email/account
• Collected your student ID
• Checked orientation/induction dates
• Found your faculty/department and campus buildings

Money: access it, then set up banking

The first few days can be expensive. Before relying on your normal financial setup, make sure you can actually pay for the basics:

• Logged in to your blocked-account provider
• Checked its post-arrival requirements
• Arranged a receiving bank account, if required
• Uploaded the requested documents
• Confirmed when your first payment can be released

A German bank account can make everyday payments easier — but there's no universal rule that you need one immediately.

• Compared account options
• Checked the bank's current requirements
• Completed identity verification
• Set up online banking
• Activated your card
• Saved your IBAN securely
• Arranged recurring payments, if needed

Residence permit

This section applies depending on your nationality and current immigration status — EU/EEA and Swiss citizens generally don't need this step. If you need a German residence title (Aufenthaltstitel):

• Checked the validity and conditions of your current visa
• Identified your responsible Ausländerbehörde
• Checked its current application procedure
• Requested/booked an appointment, where required
• Checked the authority's current document list
• Kept proof of your application/contact

Watch your post, and build your document folder

Germany still relies heavily on physical mail for important documents.

• Made sure your name is visible on your mailbox
• Checked your mailbox regularly
• Kept important letters
• Scanned important documents

Build one physical folder and one digital backup, covering:

Learn your way around

Emergency numbers

All three are free and work from any phone, even without an active SIM. Non-urgent crime reports can also go through the police's official Onlinewache.

Also save:

• University emergency/security number
• Accommodation emergency number
• Landlord/property manager
• Health insurer
• One trusted personal contact

What can wait?

Not everything needs solving this week. These can normally wait:

Focus first on anything that has an actual deadline — everything above doesn't.

Common mistakes

• ✕Counting the Anmeldung deadline from arrival, not move-in. These aren't always the same date.
• ✕Assuming a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung delay excuses a late registration. Contact the Bürgeramt instead of waiting it out.
• ✕Assuming private insurance automatically satisfies your university. Check whether an exemption is actually needed.
• ✕Trying to obtain your Steuer-ID manually in week one. It arrives automatically by post — chasing it early wastes time.
• ✕Leaving your residence-permit appointment until your visa is about to expire. Book it early — slots fill up fast in bigger cities.
• ✕Assuming every blocked-account provider releases funds the same way. Check your specific provider's process.

Bibin's Advice

Official sources

This page is a practical planning tool, not legal, financial, or immigration advice. For anything time-critical, confirm directly against these official sources.

Registration, insurance, immigration, and financial requirements vary by nationality, university, and individual circumstances. This guide doesn't replace the official instructions of your university, your Bürgeramt, your Ausländerbehörde, or your health insurer. Last reviewed: August 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Your first week checklist

Tick these off as you go — it'll remember where you left off if you come back later.