Germany
Relocating to Germany.
After moving to Germany for work, the first weeks are a chain of registrations. In order: Anmeldung (registering the address), Steuer-ID (tax identification number), Krankenkasse (statutory health insurance fund), Sozialversicherungsnummer (social-insurance number), open a bank account. Each step unlocks the next, so the order matters. Settio builds this plan for every person you move, with deadlines and a portal in their language.
After arrival
The registrations, in order
- 1Register the address at the Bürgeramt (Anmeldung)Anmeldung: registering the address
- 2Steuer-ID receivedSteuer-ID: tax identification number
- 3Join a health insurance fund (Krankenkasse)Krankenkasse: statutory health insurance fund
- 4Social-insurance number received (Sozialversicherungsnummer)Sozialversicherungsnummer: social-insurance number
- 5Open a bank account
- 6Apply for the residence title at the Ausländerbehörde before the visa endsAufenthaltstitel: residence title
- 7Collect the residence card (eAT)eAT: electronic residence card
- 8Register the flat for the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag)Rundfunkbeitrag: broadcasting fee per flat
Authorities
Who does what in Germany
Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' authority)
The local authority that issues and extends residence titles
Official websiteFinanzamt (tax office)
The local tax office; the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern sends the Steuer-ID
Official websiteDeutsche Rentenversicherung (German pension insurance)
Issues the social-insurance number
Official websiteBundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency)
Approves the employment of most skilled workers
Official websiteOther countries
Official sources
- BMI: salary limits for the EU Blue Card 2026 (BAnz AT 18.12.2025 B3)
- BMI: salary limits for the EU Blue Card 2025 (BAnz AT 04.12.2024 B2)
- §18g AufenthG: EU Blue Card
- German Embassy Belgrade: salary limits 2026 (age 45+, §19c(2))
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit (ZAV): experienced professionals §19c(2)
- §46 AufenthV: fees for visas
- §45 AufenthV: fees for residence permits, the Blue Card and the ICT card
- §44 AufenthV: fees for the settlement permit
- §50 AufenthV: fees for minors (half the fees of §§44–46(2))
- §47 AufenthV: fees for other official acts (Fiktionsbescheinigung, §81a)
- §81a AufenthG: accelerated skilled-worker procedure
- §31a AufenthV: the mission's deadlines in the accelerated procedure
- §36 BeschV: the Bundesagentur's approval deemed given
- §17 Bundesmeldegesetz: registration and deregistration
- §19 Bundesmeldegesetz: the landlord's confirmation
FAQ
Questions, answered.
What is the first thing to do after moving to Germany?
Register the address at the Bürgeramt (Anmeldung). It unlocks the steps after it.
How does Settio help with relocation in Germany?
Settio builds the step-by-step plan for each person moving to Germany, checks documents before filing, tracks deadlines and gives the person a portal in their own language.
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Informational only. This guide is not legal advice. Always verify requirements with official government sources before acting. Facts checked 3 October 2026. About this information