The surprise for most newcomers is not the language or the weather. It is the paper. Moving to Germany from another EU country involves no visa and no residence permit, yet almost everything depends on one piece of paper that you get in the first fortnight: proof that you have registered your address. This guide gives you the order that works.
What do you need to know before moving to Germany?
First, the good news. As an EU or EEA citizen you have the right to live in Germany under free movement, and you do not apply for a residence permit. A valid ID card or passport is enough to enter and stay for up to three months. Swiss citizens have a similar right under the 1999 agreement. British citizens are in a different position since Brexit, which our article on moving to Germany from the UK covers.
Second, Germany is federal, which is why any move to Germany checklist must be read city by city. Federal law sets many rules, but the 16 Länder (states) and the cities apply them: opening hours, fees, online services and school rules change from place to place. When this guide says "check your city", it means it.
Third, the paper trail is linear. You cannot get a tax ID before you register, you cannot register before you have an address, and the address needs a signed form from your landlord. Get the order right and the rest follows.
What is the right order when moving to Germany?
- Housing. Find a home and ask your landlord for the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, a signed confirmation that you have moved in. The law requires the landlord to give it to you. A lease does not replace it. Our article on renting in Germany explains deposits, agents and the rent brake.
- Anmeldung. Within two weeks of moving in, register at the Bürgeramt (citizens' office) of your city. Book the appointment before you arrive if you can. Details in our guide to the Anmeldung.
- Bank account. Banks usually ask for your ID and the registration certificate, the Meldebescheinigung. See opening a bank account in Germany.
- Health insurance. Everyone living in Germany must be insured, publicly or privately. If you take a job, your employer needs to know which Krankenkasse (health insurer) you chose.
- Tax ID. The Steuer-ID arrives by post a few weeks after your registration. Nothing to apply for. You then give it to your employer.
- Everything else: broadcasting contribution, driving licence, car, school or nursery.
If your situation does not fit the standard path (a partner abroad, a job in two countries, a pension from another EU state), the order above may shift. Moovy, the Hello Expat assistant, can walk through your case in plain English and tell you which official page to check. It does not file anything for you.
What happens at the Anmeldung?
The Anmeldung is the declaration of your address at the registration office (Meldebehörde, often called Bürgeramt). You bring your ID and the landlord's confirmation, fill in a form, and in most places leave with a Meldebescheinigung the same day. The federal portal states that you must register in person within two weeks of moving in. Some cities now offer an online version too: Berlin, for example, allows it for adults with a German or EU ID that has the online function, a BundID account and a card reader or compatible phone.
In Berlin and in Munich the registration itself is free, according to the cities' official pages in 2026. Appointments can be scarce in big cities, so the law's two weeks can be hard to meet. Book as soon as you know your move-in date.
One detail catches many people: you are asked about your religion. The register holds your membership of a church that levies tax (§ 3 BMG), and church tax (Kirchensteuer) follows actual membership, so answer accurately.
What about the tax ID, bank and health insurance?
Tax ID. After your registration the registration office passes your data to the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt), which sends you the 11-digit Steuer-ID by post. It is yours for life. Put your name on the letterbox on day one: official letters that cannot be delivered come back to the sender. Our guide to the Steuer-ID covers what to do if it never arrives.
Bank. A German account is practically essential for rent, salary and direct debits. If a bank refuses you, EU residents have a right to a basic account (Basiskonto).
Health insurance. The European Health Insurance Card is for temporary stays. Once you live in Germany you need a German insurer, or a form from your home country (such as the S1 for some pensioners) registered with one. The general statutory contribution rate is 14.6% of income in 2026, plus an additional rate set by each fund, averaging 2.9%, according to the Federal Ministry of Health. Employees split it with their employer. More in health insurance in Germany for expats.
What changes after three months?
Your right of residence continues if you meet one of the free-movement conditions: you work (employed or self-employed), you look for a job, or, without a job, you have enough resources and adequate health insurance. There is no card to collect, no appointment at the immigration office, and no fee. In practice nobody checks unless something goes wrong, but keep your contract, payslips or proof of insurance accessible.
Which mistakes cost newcomers the most?
- Missing the two weeks. A fine of up to €1,000 is possible, though first-time latecomers rarely meet it. The practical cost is bigger: no registration, no tax ID.
- No name on the letterbox. The tax ID letter and online tax account code only come by post.
- Starting a job before registering. Without a tax ID your employer uses a provisional tax class for up to three months, then the most expensive one.
- Staying on the EHIC. It covers short stays, not a life here.
- Trusting a paid website. The registration, the tax portal and the tax ID are free through official channels.
Do you need to speak German?
You can arrive without it, and in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg or Frankfurt a lot of daily life works in English. The administration, though, works in German: letters, forms and many counter conversations. Learn the key words (Anmeldung, Krankenkasse, Steuer-ID, Kaution) before you land and keep a translation app handy. Our article on daily life in Germany covers the habits that surprise newcomers.
Which German cities do expats usually choose?
The big four are Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt, and they differ more than the postcards suggest. Berlin is a city-state with free childcare and a property transfer tax of 6%. Munich, in Bavaria, has stricter shop hours and a lower church tax rate (8%). Hamburg applies the rent brake across the whole city from 2026 to 2029. Frankfurt, in Hesse, has a French school and several international ones and is a banking hub. Our guide to the best places to live in Germany goes into each city.
How much should you budget when moving to Germany?
Housing is the largest item. The Federal Statistical Office reports that in 2023 the average German household spent about €3,030 a month, with roughly 37.5% going on housing and energy, and a higher share for single-person households. Add health insurance and the broadcasting contribution (€18.36 a month per home in 2026). Our article on the cost of living in Germany uses only official figures.
What should you do in your first month?
A short list helps:
- Register your address and keep three copies of the certificate.
- Open a bank account and give your IBAN to your landlord and employer.
- Choose a Krankenkasse, or keep your S1 or private cover in order.
- Wait for your tax ID and send it to your employer.
- Register your home with the broadcasting contribution service.
- Look at schools and nurseries early if you have children: places can be scarce in big cities. See schools in Germany.
- If you drive, check whether your licence and car need any action.