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Your first weeks in Germany: a checklist

Arriving for work in Germany means paperwork in the first weeks. These are the steps that matter, in the order most people do them.

Updated 6 November 2026. Figures checked on 6 November 2026. Rules change, so confirm them with the official source.

Get proof of your address
Ask your landlord or employer for the housing confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). You need it to register.
Register your address (Anmeldung)
Book an appointment at the local citizens' office (Bürgeramt) and register within 14 days of moving in. Registration is normally free.
Wait for your tax ID
After registration the tax office normally sends your tax ID by post, often within a few weeks.
Give the tax ID to your employer
Your employer needs it for payroll. Without it you can be taxed at the highest rate until it is sorted out.
Open a bank account
You usually need one for your salary. Bring your passport and registration.
Check your health insurance
Employees must be insured. Check that your employer has registered you.
Read your first payslip
Check the hours, gross pay and deductions against your contract, and keep every payslip.

Common problems

No appointment available: appointments are scarce in big cities. Book early and keep proof of your attempts.
Temporary housing: ask your employer how registration works for your housing before you arrive.
Lost letters: make sure your name is on the mailbox, or the tax letter may not reach you.

How soon must I register my address in Germany?

Within 14 days of moving in. Appointments can be hard to get in big cities, so book early.

Where does my tax ID come from?

It is normally sent by post after you register your address, often within a few weeks.

What happens if my employer does not have my tax ID?

You can be taxed at the highest rate until it is sorted out.

Tell us your citizenship, your job and where you want to work. We will tell you honestly whether we can help.