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Complete guide to moving to Germany

Visa, Anmeldung (Address Registration) and Health Insurance

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Germany is orderly, opportunity-rich—and unapologetically bureaucratic. If you get the sequence wrong, a single missing paper can stall everything from your work start date to your internet installation. This guide walks you through the three pillars of a legal start in Germany—visa, Anmeldung, and health insurance—plus crucial follow-ups (tax ID, emergency care). Along the way: common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Simplified, easy to follow

1) Visas and residence permits: pick the right path

Do you need a visa at all?

- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: no visa; free movement.
- Non-EU citizens: you’ll usually need a national visa (long-stay) before arrival, then convert it to a residence permit after you’re in Germany.
Official overview: Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt).

Common errors

- Error: Applying for the wrong category (e.g., general work visa when you qualify for Blue Card).
Fix: Compare your salary/role with the official thresholds and shortage-occupation list before you book an appointment.
- Error: Health insurance that only starts on your first workday, leaving a coverage gap upon entry.
Fix: If your statutory insurance activates on employment, add travel/bridge insurance that explicitly covers long-stay entries until your first day of work (the Foreign Office calls this out). 

Popular routes (work-related)

- EU Blue Card (highly skilled): from €48,300 gross/year in 2025 (general occupations) or €43,759.80 for shortage professions, new entrants (≤3 years after graduation) and IT specialists; contract must be at least 6 months. Official fact sheet (June 2025) + portal.
- Other work visas exist (skilled workers with recognized qualifications, job-seeker visas, etc.). Check the specific mission page for your country.

2) Anmeldung (address registration): the keystone document

What it is & why it matters

Anmeldung is your legal registration at your German address (Meldeadresse). You need it for almost everything: residence permit, bank account, mobile contract, and your Tax ID. It’s a legal obligation.
bmi.bund.de
Deadline: within two weeks (14 days) of moving into your home (the clock starts on move-in day). City portals and federal pages state this explicitly. 

Common errors

- Error: Thinking a hotel/Airbnb provides Anmeldung.
Fix: Only addresses where the landlord issues a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung will do.
- Error: Missing the 14-day window.
Fix: Still book the earliest available appointment; bring proof of your move-in date. Some offices can backdate if you demonstrate you tried; fines are possible but not automatic. (The legal rule is clear; enforcement varies by locality.)

What you bring to the Bürgeramt (citizens’ office)

- Passport/ID
- Completed registration form (varies by city)
- Landlord’s confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)—without it, you won’t be registered
- Rental contract (often requested)
Reality check: Appointments can be scarce in big cities. Book as soon as you know your arrival date, and be ready to travel to any Bürgeramt in your city that has a slot.
After Anmeldung → Tax ID comes by post
Your Tax Identification Number (Steuer-ID) is created automatically and mailed to your registered address by the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt). It’s 11 digits and valid for life. Official BZSt page.

3) Health insurance (Krankenversicherung): mandatory from day one

What it is & why it matters

Germany runs a dual system:
- Statutory/Public (GKV/SHI)—covers ~90% of residents; contributions are income-based; you choose a fund (e.g., TK, AOK).
- Private (PKV/PHI)—usually for higher earners, some self-employed, civil servants; premiums depend on risk profile and coverage.
Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) overview in English and German brochures.

Common errors

- Error: Arriving with no valid coverage before job start.
Fix: Purchase compliant bridge insurance covering the entry period until SHI/contract activates (explicitly required in EU Blue Card guidance). 
- Error: Assuming student travel policies are enough for residence purposes.
Fix: Verify the policy meets German legal standards or enroll in SHI student tariffs; BMG notes insurance is generally mandatory for students, with limited exceptions. 

Key truths

- Health insurance is compulsory for everyone with residence in Germany (statutory mandate; in place since 2007/2009 across SHI/PHI).
- Employees are typically enrolled in SHI via the employer from the first day of the contract; but if you enter the country before employment starts, you need interim coverage (see visa note above).



Choosing SHI vs PHI—practical pointers
- SHI is predictable and comprehensive; easier family coverage; contributions scale with income.
- PHI can mean faster access/amenities but switching back to SHI later can be difficult. Use official guides to understand consequences.

4) What to do next (after the “big three”)

Residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel)

If you entered on a national visa, book your Ausländerbehörde appointment early; most missions recommend applying within the first 90 days after arrival. The Foreign Office bundles requirements and reminders.

Social basics

- Emergency & medical on-call numbers: 112 (life-threatening emergencies), 116 117 (non-emergency, after-hours doctors; nationwide service and website).
- Bank account: most banks will ask for your Anmeldung certificate and ID.
GP registration: pick a Hausarzt early to avoid long waits later.



The correct sequence (save this)


1. Before arrival: secure the right visa (or confirm you don’t need one); line up insurance that covers you from entry day. Link.

2. Move in: obtain the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord.
3. Within 14 days of move-in: complete your Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt. Link. 
4. Wait for your Tax ID by post (keep the letter). Link.
5. Convert visa → residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde (if applicable). Link.

Troubleshooting: real-world obstacles and how to beat them


· No appointment available for Anmeldung: keep refreshing the city portal; check any Bürgeramt in your city, not just the nearest. Bring complete documents to avoid rebooking. (Berlin’s official service page confirms the two-week rule and the need to register at the Meldebehörde). 
service.berlin.de
· Landlord refuses to issue the confirmation: registration requires the landlord’s form; push for it (it’s a legal duty for landlords), or switch to housing that explicitly permits Anmeldung.
· Tax ID letter delayed: the BZSt sends it automatically after registration; if it’s slow, your employer can pay you temporarily at a higher withholding rate and adjust later once the ID arrives (official Tax ID background here). 
bzst.de
· Insurance starts after the job, but you enter earlier: buy bridge coverage that satisfies long-stay requirements until SHI begins (explicitly mentioned in EU Blue Card guidance). 
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