Language Lab

English▾

← All destinations

🇩🇪 Germany · City guide

Moving to Frankfurt: Language & First Steps

Germany's finance hub and a major international airport city, with a large banking expat community.

Living in Frankfurt

Banking, consulting and the ECB sustain a large, fast-rotating expat community, with many newcomers in Nordend, Bornheim and Sachsenhausen. English works inside finance, but German helps with the Schufa, the Bürgeramt and landlords.

To settle into Frankfurt you'll need German — and the practical kind: the Anmeldung — mandatory address registration at your local Bürgeramt, usually within 14 days of moving in, opening a bank account, and seeing a doctor. Here's what to do first and the phrases to learn.

Sources: Language Lab's German curriculum & culture notes; city/official processes vary — confirm with Frankfurt's local authority. · Join the beta →

What to do in your first week in Frankfurt?

1. Register your address / residency — the Anmeldung — mandatory address registration at your local Bürgeramt, usually within 14 days of moving in.
2. Open a local bank account so you can get paid and pay rent.
3. Register with a local doctor (GP) and sort health insurance.
4. Get a local SIM / mobile plan and set up any required digital ID.
5. Learn your transport options — tickets, passes and routes.

German phrasebooks for Frankfurt

For the full country picture, see our guide to moving to Germany.