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Registration3 min readLast verified August 2026

Getting Your Tax ID (Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer)

Your German tax ID (IdNr) is an 11-digit number automatically assigned after your Anmeldung. You need it for employment, tax refunds, and pension contributions.

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The Anmeldung is your first and most critical bureaucratic step in Germany. Without it, you cannot open a bank account, receive your tax ID, or access most public services.

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The TV Tax (Rundfunkbeitrag) Explained

The Rundfunkbeitrag is Germany's mandatory €18.36/month broadcasting licence fee. Every household pays it, regardless of whether you own a TV.

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