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Buy a prepaid SIM on arrival, you need a German number for bank verification, appointment bookings, and everyday life in Germany.
DSL or cable takes 2–4 weeks to activate. If not included in rent, order early, you'll want reliable internet for university and job applications.
Legally required within 14 days of moving in. This one document unlocks almost everything else in Germany, your bank account, tax ID, blocked account, and more.
Your 11-digit tax ID is automatically issued after Anmeldung and arrives by post within 2–4 weeks. Required for any employment, tax returns, and banking.
Germany charges €18.36/month per household for public broadcasting. Every household must pay unless someone in the flat already pays, get their number to be exempt.
If you came on a student visa, you have a blocked account (Sperrkonto) with your visa funds. You need to set up monthly withdrawals after arriving.
A German IBAN is required for rent, salary, blocked account withdrawals, and most German services. Some banks let you open an account before you arrive.
Mandatory in Germany. Students under 30 get subsidised public insurance (~€120/month). You cannot enrol at university without proof of insurance.
Register with a general practitioner early, appointment slots fill up fast, and you need a registered Hausarzt to get specialist referrals.
Complete your official university registration. You need to do this before the semester starts to get your student ID, semester ticket, and library access.
Student housing is competitive in German cities. Start your search before you arrive, dorms have waiting lists of 1–2 years, and private WGs go within hours.
Most German universities include unlimited local public transport in the semester fee. This covers buses, U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and trams in your city, often the entire state.
If your semester ticket doesn't cover your routes, the Deutschland-Ticket (€58/month) covers all local and regional public transport across Germany. Cancel anytime monthly.
