Put together by @nobody_toldme_de — updated June 2026
Germany rewards people who know the rules. The problem is nobody tells you what they are.
This checklist is what I wish someone had handed me when I landed. It won't make German bureaucracy fun. But it'll stop you from making the expensive, avoidable mistakes that catch almost every newcomer in the first three months.
Work through it in order. Some of these have real deadlines. Remember this is educational only, check the links and make sure to do your own research, as requirements might change.
This is the first thing you do. Everything else — your tax ID, your bank account, your salary — depends on it.
You have 14 days from moving in to register. In practice, getting an appointment within 14 days is enough. The booking confirmation counts. Screenshot it.
What you need to bring:
About that landlord form: your rental contract doesn't replace it. It's a separate document your landlord is legally required to give you. Ask for it before you move in. Without it, the Bürgeramt might turn you away.
💡 If you're in Berlin: book your appointment on Day 1. Not Day 3. Day 1. Waits regularly hit 4–6 weeks. The cancellation slots appear randomly on the portal — check it multiple times a day. Some districts allow walk-ins in the morning, worth trying.
Book your appointment: