Your First 30 Days in Germany

23 things every expat needs to do — in the right order. Check them off as you go.

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🎉

You've completed your first 30 days!

Germany, Made EZ. Welcome to your new home.

✈️ Before You Arrive Sort these out before your flight
Research accommodation and book your first place WG shared flat or private apartment — start searching 6–8 weeks early
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Students: open a blocked account (Sperrkonto) Required for your student visa — allow 3–4 weeks before your appointment
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Choose your Krankenkasse (health insurer) TK, AOK, or Barmer — you must enrol within weeks of arrival
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Save the German emergency numbers Police: 110 · Ambulance & Fire: 112 · Poison Control: 0800 192 40
Download key apps before you land DB Navigator (trains), Google Maps offline, NINA (emergency alerts), Google Translate
📍 First Week — Days 1–7 Everything else depends on these
Register your address — Anmeldung Do first Legally required within 14 days. Do this first — your bank account, tax ID and health insurance all depend on it.
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Get a German SIM card Aldi Talk (prepaid, no contract) is the easiest option for new arrivals
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Open a German bank account N26 or DKB — both work before you have Anmeldung confirmation
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Enrol with your Krankenkasse Bring your Anmeldung confirmation and passport to the local office
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Stock up at ALDI or Lidl Germany's cheapest supermarkets — open until 10pm most days
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Find your nearest Hausarzt (family doctor) Register with a GP before you need one — waiting lists can be weeks long
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🏠 Week 2 — Days 8–14 Set up your life infrastructure
Wait for your Tax ID to arrive by post Arrives 2–4 weeks after Anmeldung. You need it for your employer and bank.
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Set up electricity for your flat Your landlord may have a default supplier — you can switch to a cheaper one
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Set up home internet DSL or cable — allow 2–3 weeks for installation after ordering
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Get Haftpflichtversicherung (liability insurance) Costs ~€5/month and is considered essential by most Germans — covers accidental damage
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Get your Deutschlandticket €58/month for unlimited travel on all regional trains, buses and metros across Germany
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If you have children: register with a Kinderarzt Paediatric doctors have long waiting lists — register immediately even if your child is healthy
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🌱 Rest of Month 1 — Days 15–30 Settle in and plan ahead
Start learning German BAMF integration courses are subsidised — or try Babbel/Duolingo to build the habit first
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Check your Kirchensteuer (church tax) status If you're not a member of a recognised church, opt out to save 8–9% on your income tax
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Set up grocery delivery REWE, Picnic, and HelloFresh all deliver in Germany — useful while you're still finding your feet
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Learn the public transport system U-Bahn, S-Bahn, Tram, Bus — Germany's network is excellent once you understand it
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Working or studying? Understand the rules Werkstudent vs Minijob — the difference affects your income, tax, and visa compliance
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On an EU Blue Card? Check your next steps Know your renewal timeline and the path to permanent residence
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