First steps in Germany: checklist for registration, insurance & administrative procedures

Step 2: Clarify your health insurance — immediately, not later

Health insurance is not something that can wait. In Germany, health insurance is mandatory — having a gap in coverage is not only a financial risk, but can also have consequences for your residence status.

Anyone starting employment subject to social security contributions — whether with an EU Blue Card, a skilled worker visa, an ICT Card, or a regular residence permit for employment — is usually automatically enrolled in the statutory health insurance system (GKV). Your employer will register you with a health insurance provider, or you can choose one yourself and inform your employer. Clarify this before or on your first day of work. Any gap between your arrival and your first working day must be covered separately.

If you do not yet have employment — for example with the Opportunity Card while searching for a job, as a self-employed person in the start-up phase, as a language student, or as a family member without your own employment — you are not automatically eligible for statutory health insurance. In this case, an incoming health insurance plan is an appropriate temporary solution. It covers acute medical treatment and emergencies until a regular insurance arrangement begins, and is generally accepted by immigration authorities as proof of coverage.

For au pairs, language students, and participants in exchange programs, there are also specialized insurance plans tailored to the requirements of these types of stay. These plans take typical risks and specific conditions into account and are generally recognized by authorities and host institutions.

As soon as you start employment and switch to statutory health insurance, the need for incoming insurance ends. The transition should be planned seamlessly — no gaps, no unnecessary overlap.

→ Incoming insurance for the transition period in Germany

Step 3: Book an appointment with the immigration office

The immigration office — in some cities also called the Office for Immigration and Integration — is responsible for issuing your German residence permit. Even if you entered the country with a valid national visa, you must register there and apply for or have your permit confirmed. This applies to all non-EU citizens, regardless of their residence status.

Appointments can usually be booked online — and are often fully booked weeks in advance. Schedule your appointment within the first few days after registration, even if the actual visit takes place later. The registration certificate from the residents’ registration office is typically required to book an appointment.

You will typically need to bring: your passport with a valid visa, your registration certificate, a biometric passport photo, and proof of health insurance coverage. Depending on your residence status, additional documents may be required: for the EU Blue Card, this includes your employment contract and proof of qualifications; for the Opportunity Card, documents according to the requirements of your German mission abroad; for family reunification, a marriage certificate or children’s birth certificates. ICT applicants must provide documentation related to the sending company. The exact list depends on your individual situation and your city — the website of your local immigration office usually provides a current checklist.

Step 4: Open a bank account

Without a German bank account, many things become complicated — paying rent, receiving your salary, or setting up contracts. Most banks require a valid registration certificate, a passport, and in some cases proof of employment or residence status to open an account.

Direct banks and neobanks often have simpler account opening processes and offer English-language interfaces — a relevant advantage during the initial phase. Traditional branch banks provide personal advice but usually involve a more complex setup process. You should at least apply for an account during your first week — depending on the provider, processing times range from a few hours to several business days. If you are unable to obtain a regular bank account, German law entitles you to a basic account — this is legally guaranteed and also applies to people without permanent residence status.

Step 5: Tax ID and other documents

The tax identification number (tax ID) is automatically sent by post to your registered address by the Federal Central Tax Office after you register. You do not need to apply for it, and it usually arrives within two to four weeks. Your employer requires it for payroll purposes. If you have not yet received it when starting a job, inform your employer — there is a standardized procedure for this situation.

Other documents you should apply for or prepare during your first week: The pension insurance number is requested by your employer via the health insurance provider once you are insured. Certified translations of your diplomas and qualification certificates should be available, if not already arranged — they are relevant for professional recognition and for the immigration authorities. If you are bringing children with you, you should have school records and vaccination certificates ready, as school enrollment and daycare placements have their own deadlines and documentation requirements.

What can wait — and what cannot

Not everything needs to be completed in the first week. Setting clear priorities helps reduce stress.

Do not postpone during the first week: registering at the residents’ registration office (legal deadline: 14 days), ensuring continuous health insurance coverage without a single day’s gap, booking an appointment with the immigration office, and applying for a bank account.

Handle within the first four weeks: attending your appointment at the immigration office once it becomes available, providing your tax ID to your employer as soon as you receive it, arranging your pension insurance number through your employer, and completing recognition procedures for your qualifications if required for your profession.

No strict deadline, but do not forget: converting your driver’s license (deadlines vary depending on your country of origin — check the requirements, but it is not immediately necessary), enrolling in a German language course (recommended, but no official deadline), and registering children for school (timing depends on your arrival date and the start of the school year, but should not be delayed too long).

What differences are there depending on the residence permit?

The general sequence of administrative steps is the same for all groups. The key differences lie in health insurance and the documents required for the immigration office.

With regard to health insurance: Those who start employment immediately — with an EU Blue Card, a skilled worker visa, or a regular employment contract — are usually subject to statutory health insurance (GKV) right away. Those who are still in a transitional phase, such as job seekers, self-employed individuals in the start-up phase, language students, or family members without employment, will need temporary incoming insurance coverage. The switch to statutory health insurance only takes place once employment begins or, in the case of voluntary insurance, after a separate assessment.

For the immigration office, the specific documents required depend heavily on the residence permit. The EU Blue Card is tied to a specific minimum salary and a recognized qualification — accordingly, the required documents are very specific. For the Opportunity Card, requirements vary depending on the stage. For family reunification, civil status documents are essential. For ICT permit holders, the focus is on the assignment by the sending company. In all cases: book your appointment early, bring complete documentation, and leave nothing to chance.