Moving to Germany
Your complete step-by-step guide to relocating to Germany as an expat, visa, Anmeldung, health insurance, bank account, and everything in between.
Moving to Germany refers to the process of relocating to Germany as a foreign national, including obtaining the right visa, registering your address, arranging health insurance, and setting up your financial and administrative life in the country. Germany is one of the most popular expat destinations in Europe, with over 12 million foreign nationals currently living here.
The key to a smooth move is doing things in the right order. This guide walks you through exactly that.
Before you arrive
Start planning at least 2–3 months before your move date. Here's what to sort out before you land:
- Confirm your visa situation: EU/EEA citizens can move freely. Non-EU nationals need a visa before entering (unless you qualify for a visa-on-arrival extension for job seekers).
- Find temporary accommodation: You need a German address for your Anmeldung. A short-term rental, serviced apartment, or a sublet works. Airbnb does not count.
- Get your documents apostilled: Birth certificate, university degree, marriage certificate if applicable. Germany often requires certified translations for official documents.
- Book your Anmeldung appointment: In Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg, slots fill up 4–6 weeks in advance. Book on the city's Bürgeramt portal as soon as you have an address.
- Arrange health insurance: You cannot legally live or work in Germany without health insurance. If you're employed, your employer will arrange GKV enrollment. If you're self-employed, arrange it before arrival.
Visa & right of residence
Your visa situation determines everything. Get this sorted first.
EU / EEA citizens
You have the right to live and work in Germany without a visa or permit. Just move, register (Anmeldung), and you're done legally. No Aufenthaltstitel required.
Non-EU nationals, employed
- EU Blue Card: For university graduates with a job offer above €48,300/year (2026, or €37,440 for shortage occupations like IT and engineering). Gives you 4-year residency and fast-track to permanent residence after 21 months if you speak B1 German.
- General work visa (§18 AufenthG): For those with a job offer and a recognized qualification, but who don't meet the Blue Card salary threshold.
- Skilled worker visa: If your foreign degree or vocational qualification has been recognized by the German authorities (anabin database).
Non-EU nationals, self-employed / freelance
You need a Freiberufler visa or self-employment visa (§21 AufenthG). Requirements vary by profession. Recognized freelance professions (Freie Berufe), doctors, lawyers, architects, journalists, IT consultants, have an easier path than trade-based self-employment.
Job Seeker Visa
If you have a recognized degree, you can enter Germany for 6 months to look for a job, then convert to a work visa in-country. This avoids the embassy waiting times.
Important: Apply for your visa at the German embassy or consulate in your home country, not on arrival. Wait times at popular embassies (India, Pakistan, Brazil) can be 3–6 months. Plan accordingly.
Your first week checklist
- Anmeldung: Register your address. Everything else depends on this.
- Health insurance: If employed, your employer handles GKV enrollment. If you're doing it yourself, contact the insurer immediately.
- Bank account: N26 can be opened without an Anmeldung confirmation, which makes it useful for day one.
- SIM card: A German number is surprisingly important for verification on banking, housing, and government apps. Aldi Talk or Congstar work well for prepaid.
- Tax ID (Steuer-ID): Arrives by post 2–4 weeks after Anmeldung. You don't apply for it, it comes automatically.
Anmeldung, registering your address
Anmeldung is your address registration with the local authorities. It is legally required within 14 days of moving in and is the single most important administrative step you'll take in Germany.
Without Anmeldung you cannot open most bank accounts, get a German tax ID, sign a mobile contract, or receive your salary at some employers.
What you need: valid passport, completed Anmeldeformular, and a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation letter).
Read the full Anmeldung guide →
Health insurance
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany from day one of residence. There are two systems: public (GKV) at ~14.6% of salary, and private (PKV) at a flat premium based on age. If you earn over €77,400/year, you have a genuine choice, and many expats are overpaying significantly in GKV.
Bank account
You need a German IBAN for your salary, rent, and most direct debits. Best options for expats:
- N26: Fully online, English-language app, no Anmeldung needed to open. Good for arrival week.
- DKB: Free account, widely accepted, requires Anmeldung. Best long-term option.
- Commerzbank / Deutsche Bank: Traditional banks with branches. Monthly fees, but useful if you need in-person support.
Read the full bank account guide →
Tax ID (Steuer-ID)
Your Steuer-ID is a permanent 11-digit tax identification number. You don't apply for it, it's automatically issued and sent by post to your registered address within 2–4 weeks of Anmeldung. Your employer needs it to process your salary correctly.
Finding an apartment
The German rental market is competitive, especially in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Stuttgart. Vacancy rates in major cities are under 1%. You need to be fast and well-prepared.
Landlords typically require: SCHUFA Bonitätsauskunft, last 3 payslips, passport copy, and a Selbstauskunft (tenant information form).
Where to look: ImmobilienScout24 (largest), ImmoWelt, WG-Gesucht (shared flats), and Facebook expat housing groups.
Read the full apartment hunting guide →
German language
You can get by in Germany's major cities without German, English is widely spoken in tech, finance, and international companies. But learning at least basic German will make your daily life significantly easier.
- A1/A2: Enough for daily survival
- B1: Enough for most bureaucratic interactions; unlocks faster permanent residence with Blue Card
- B2/C1: Required for German citizenship
Moving to a specific city in Germany
Germany's major cities have very different characters, costs, and expat communities. Each city has its own Bürgeramt processes, rental market dynamics, and local quirks.
Complete moving checklist
2–3 months before
- Apply for visa at German embassy
- Get documents apostilled / certified translations
- Book temporary accommodation with a real address
- Research health insurance options
4–6 weeks before
- Book Anmeldung appointment online
- Arrange international health insurance or interim coverage
- Sort out international bank transfer / FX (Wise is significantly cheaper than banks)
Week 1 in Germany
- Attend Anmeldung appointment, get Meldebescheinigung
- Enroll in health insurance (GKV or PKV)
- Open N26 account for immediate banking
- Get a German SIM card
Weeks 2–4
- Receive Steuer-ID by post, give to employer
- Start apartment search with full application package ready
- Open DKB or other free account if needed
Months 2–6
- Review health insurance, if earning over €77,400, compare PKV options
- Register with a Hausarzt (family doctor)
- Start German language course
- File first German tax return, often results in a refund