Your first 90 days in Germany: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · July 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
No Anmeldung, no life: the tax ID, bank account, health insurance and residence permit all chain off it, and big-city appointment scarcity can eat most of the 14-day window.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Anmeldung (address registration) at the local Bürgeramt / Einwohnermeldeamt
Within 14 days of moving in
Needs the landlord's Wohnungsgeberbestätigung; Berlin and Munich appointment slots book out weeks ahead, and everything else — tax ID, bank, permit — waits on it.
Get your Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID / IdNr)
Employers need it to tax salary correctly, and banks and authorities key records to it.
Generated automatically from the Anmeldung and posted to the registered address in roughly 2-3 weeks; there is no separate application.
Open a bank account
Traditional banks want a passport plus the Anmeldung certificate; fintechs like N26 open accounts with less. US persons are accepted at major banks with FATCA self-certification; Wise/Revolut bridge the pre-Anmeldung gap.
Enrol in healthcare
Health insurance is compulsory from day one — enrolment in public GKV (roughly 14.6%+ of income, via the employer) or approved private cover; proof of insurance is required for the residence permit.
Sort your driver's license
A US licence is valid 6 months after registering residence; exchange is state-by-state — most US states swap test-free, some (e.g. Florida) need the theory exam, and the rest require full German theory and practical tests.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Germany: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Germany?
Anmeldung (address registration) at the local Bürgeramt / Einwohnermeldeamt — Within 14 days of moving in. Needs the landlord's Wohnungsgeberbestätigung; Berlin and Munich appointment slots book out weeks ahead, and everything else — tax ID, bank, permit — waits on it. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer and do I need one?
Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID / IdNr) is Germany's personal tax/ID number. Employers need it to tax salary correctly, and banks and authorities key records to it. Generated automatically from the Anmeldung and posted to the registered address in roughly 2-3 weeks; there is no separate application.
Can I drive in Germany on a US license?
A US licence is valid 6 months after registering residence; exchange is state-by-state — most US states swap test-free, some (e.g. Florida) need the theory exam, and the rest require full German theory and practical tests. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Germany?
Health insurance is compulsory from day one — enrolment in public GKV (roughly 14.6%+ of income, via the employer) or approved private cover; proof of insurance is required for the residence permit. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Germany's system treats foreign residents.