To Do List
1. Residency Registration (Anmeldung)
Once you have just moved to Germany there are certain steps to be done taken initially and as early as possible. Here are the just landed steps to be taken.
If you intend to stay for more than 3 months in Germany; should get registered in the local Registration Office (Bürgeramt). Nobody can reside without an officially registered address. The residency registration is an essential document to get Health Insurance, open bank account or sign any type of contract in Germany. This Registration may not be needed for people who come as tourists and leave Germany before 3 months.
The Anmeldung has to be done within 2 weeks since you have moved to a new address. A written confirmation letter from the landlord or the housing agency that the tenant have to shifted to the particular addressed house, has to be submitted for the anmeldung. This document is called WohnungsgeberBestätigung.
2. Get the Visa
The very next step after the City registration is the getting the proper Resident Permit. To get the Visa one must visit the Foreigner's Office ( AusländerBehörde ). Appointment have to be taken well in advance as the administration is slow and the queue of applicants is also higher. A Confirmation email will be sent with all the required documents once you request for an appointment. The Appointment can be obtained easily through the respective office links. Get an appointment and be present with all the required documents in original and in copies .
For more information about resident permit : https://www.germanguide4u.com/visa-guidelines/
3. Open a Bank account
A bank account is mandatory for the credit of salary and many other financial transactions. Open a bank account as soon a you register the residency
The Documents required to open a bank account are
- City registration ( Meldebescheinigung )
- Valid Passport
Some banks also ask for work permit and the pay slip. For more details about banks : https://www.germanguide4u.com/banking/
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4. GEZ Broadcasting Fee (Rundfunkbeitrag)
This is the German TV Tax which finances all the public free television channels.GEZ (Gebhüreneinzugszntrale) is the public organisation which collects the broadcasting fee.Everyone who is registered in Germany must pay this fee irrelevant to the fact that they have tv,radio or internet access. Once the city registration is done you will recieve the letter to pay the TV and Radio broadcasting fees in the form of Rundfunksbeitrag. All the details about the payment and how to send the payments will be mentioned in the letter.
For info on how and where to apply : https://www.germanguide4u.com/broadcasting-license-rundfunkbeitrag/
5. Get Health Insurance (KrankenVersicherung)
Everyone living in Germany must have Health Insurance. Every time when the visa is required to be extended a proof of the health insurance have to be produced. If you’re living abroad it’s always a good idea to have private health insurance. Knowing you’re covered if the unexpected happens can give you peace of mind in a country where you’re unfamiliar with the healthcare system. Particularly in Germany, where without appropriate cover treatment can be very expensive.
6. Social security Number (SozialVersicherungsnummer)
The Social security number is very important to all the employers in Germany. The social security payments protects against the biggest risks, including illness, workplace accidents, unemployment, or retirement. For this purpose, a fixed percentage of your income goes to pay your membership of the social security funds.
The social security number (Sozialversicherungsnummer) can be obtained from the State Pension Fund office (Deutsche Rentensversicherung). In order to receive your social security number, you need to present the following documents to the officer at the Deutsche Rentensversicherung:
- A valid passport or residence permit
- Residency Registration Certificate (Anmeldebestätigung)
For more details about Sozial security number : www.germanguide4u.com/Taxation & Social security number