June 23, 2026 · 12 min read

Moving to Germany Checklist: Everything You Need to Do in the First 90 Days

By Language Lab editorial team

Complete checklist for moving to Germany. Anmeldung, health insurance, bank account, tax ID, language course — in order, with German phrases.

The right order matters: Germany relocation checklist

Moving to Germany has a mandatory sequence — each step unlocks the next, and doing things out of order costs days or weeks. The critical path is: (1) Anmeldung (address registration) → (2) Steuer-ID (tax identification number, arrives by post automatically after Anmeldung) → (3) bank account (requires Anmeldung proof at most banks) → (4) health insurance (Krankenversicherung, required before employment or enrolment) → (5) Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' authority, for non-EU nationals requiring residence permits). Each step typically takes two to ten business days to complete, meaning the first month is largely administrative. Many expats underestimate this and arrive without the language to navigate it.

Language is the hidden bottleneck in this sequence. Every appointment operates in German — Bürgeramt officers, bank staff, insurance representatives, and Ausländerbehörde officials all default to German, with varying levels of English support. Expats who arrive with at least A2 German and specific knowledge of bureaucratic phrases navigate this first month in two to four weeks; those who arrive with no German often spend two to three months in limbo, unable to move efficiently between steps. Language Lab's Germany Relocation track specifically covers all five appointment types — you practise the exact conversations before they happen.

Germany expat checklist with German phrases

What expats most often get wrong when moving to Germany

The three most common mistakes: (1) Not booking Bürgeramt appointments in advance — Berlin and Munich slots are booked weeks out; book immediately when you have a confirmed address. (2) Arriving without a German IBAN — many German employers only pay into German bank accounts, and account opening takes a week even at fast banks. Use N26 or DKB for instant account opening while waiting for Anmeldung. (3) Ignoring the language until after administrative setup — by the time you've done Anmeldung and bank account, you're already in German-speaking situations daily. Preparing key phrases before you arrive costs two weeks of effort and saves months of stress.

The Complete Move-to-Germany Checklist

Moving to Germany involves a specific sequence of administrative and practical tasks that must be completed in roughly the right order — because many tasks depend on completing earlier ones first. Anmeldung must precede the tax ID, which must precede opening a traditional bank account, which must precede setting up many direct debits. This guide walks through the full checklist in the order that makes sense, and flags where German language skills are required at each step.

Before You Leave: Pre-Move Checklist

• Start German language learning — aim for A2 before arrival
• Research the Anmeldung process for your target city and book an appointment if possible in advance
• Arrange temporary accommodation that allows Anmeldung (your landlord must provide a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
• Gather apostilled and translated versions of important documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, diplomas)
• Arrange health insurance: check whether your EU health card is accepted temporarily or if you need German insurance from day one
• Open an international bank account (N26, Wise, Bunq) for immediate use on arrival
• Research the health insurance system: gesetzliche (public) vs. private Krankenversicherung
• If applicable: apply for German visa or EU Blue Card before departure

First Week in Germany

• Complete Anmeldung at the Einwohnermeldeamt — bring passport, Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, and completed form
• Open a local bank account — use your Anmeldebestätigung as proof of address
• Register with your statutory health insurance provider (Krankenkasse) if applicable
• Set up essential utilities or verify your rental contract includes them
• Get a German SIM card or transfer your existing number to a German provider
• Locate your nearest doctor (Hausarzt) for future registration

First Month in Germany

• Receive your Steueridentifikationsnummer by post (arrives automatically 2–4 weeks after Anmeldung)
• Register with your Hausarzt (general practitioner) using BSN and health insurance card
• If employed: provide Steuer-ID and IBAN to your employer's HR team
• Obtain your SCHUFA score check — this affects future rental applications
• Enrol in language courses if you need to reach B1 for work or visa requirements
• If applicable: begin credential recognition (Anerkennung) process for regulated professions
• Register children in school — requires Anmeldebestätigung and birth certificates

Key German Terms for Each Checklist Step