One of the very first things you should do when arriving to Germany is to register your residence in the city you will live in. You will then receive an Anmeldebestätigung (Confirmation of Residency Registration) , which you will need for all following applications and registrations. Therefore, it makes sense to get this registration first and foremost out of the way. The German government requires you to register residency within two weeks of moving into your new address.
Once you have completed registration of residency, follow these steps to quickly and efficiently get all of your necessary applications and registration done, so that you can get on with what brought you to Germany in the first place: your research and studies at the University.
1. Registration of Residency
- Aachen
- Darmstadt
- Necessary Documents
-
Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate with official translationWohnungsgeberbestätigung (Confirmation of Tenancy)Passport
- Documents to be received
-
Anmeldebestätigung (Sent later by post)Steuer-ID (Sent later by post)
- Where to apply/register
Bürgerservice Bahnhofplatz
(Building next to Aachen Central Station)
- How to make an appointment
Online
For more details, click HERE
- Important points to note
Registration must be done within 2 weeks of moving into your new address. Make sure to make a copy of the Anmeldebestätigung (confirmation of residency registration) for future use.
- Necessary Documents
-
Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate with official translationWohnungsgeberbestätigung (Confirmation of Tenancy)Passport
- Documents to be received
-
Anmelde-bestätigung (Received on the spot)Steuer ID (Sent later by post)
2. Open a bank account
- Aachen
- Darmstadt
- Necessary Documents
-
Invitation letterAnmeldebestätigungPassportTax ID in homelandSteuer-ID
- Documents to be received
-
PIN (Sent later by post)Bank Card (Sent later by post)
- Where to apply/register
Sparkasse
- How to make an appointment
E-mail, Phone
- Important points to note
Registration must be done within 2 weeks of moving into your new address. Make sure to make a copy of the Anmeldebestätigung (confirmation of residency registration) for future use.
- Necessary Documents
-
Invitation letterAnmeldebestätigungPassportTax ID in homelandSteuer-ID
- Documents to be received
-
PIN (Sent later by post)Bank Card (Sent later by post)
- How to make an appointment
E-mail, Phone
3. Get german health insurance
- Aachen
- Darmstadt
- Necessary Documents
-
Invitation letterAnmeldebestätigungPassportEmployment Contract
- Documents to be received
-
Certificate of Health Insurance (Sent later by post)
- Where to apply/register
Insurance company of your choice
(ex. BKK/TK/AOL)
- How to make an appointment
In-store/E-mail/Phone
- Important points to note
You must have either public or private german health insurance in order to apply for a residence permit. Traveller’s insurance will not be accepted.
- Necessary Documents
-
Invitation letterAnmeldebestätigungPassportEmployment Contract
- Documents to be received
-
Certificate of Health Insurance (Sent later by post)
- Where to apply/register
Insurance company of your choice
(ex. BKK/TK/AOL)
- How to make an appointment
In-store/E-mail/Phone
- Important points to note
You must have either public or private german health insurance in order to apply for a residence permit. Traveller’s insurance will not be accepted.
4. Apply for a residence permission
- Aachen
- Darmstadt
- Necessary Documents
-
Invention letterAnmeldebestätigungPassportPhoto 45mm×35mmEmployment ContractBirth Certificate and Marriage Certificate with official translationConfirmation of Health Insurance MembershipApplication Form
- Documents to be received
-
Residence Permit (To be picked up at a later date)
- Where to apply/register
- How to make an appointment
E-mail only
- Important points to note
When staying for more than 3 months in Germany, it is necessary to apply for a residence permit.
- Necessary Documents
-
Invention letterAnmeldebestätigungPassportPhoto 45mm×35mmEmployment ContractBirth Certificate and Marriage Certificate with official translationConfirmation of Health Insurance MembershipApplication Form
- Documents to be received
-
Residence Permit (To be picked up at a later date)
- Where to apply/register
- How to make an appointment
Send by mail or fax or email to Ausländerbehörde
Download application HERE
- Important points to note
When staying for more than 3 months in Germany, it is necessary to apply for a residence permit.
5. Obtain a german driving license
- Aachen
- Darmstadt
- Necessary Documents
-
Residence PermitPhoto 45mm×35mmPassportDriver's License from home countryInternational Driver's License, or an official translation of home country driver's license into German
- Documents to be received
-
German Driver's License (To be picked up at a later date)
- Where to apply/register
- How to make an appointment
No prior appointment needed
- Important points to note
A german driver’s license must be obtained within 6 months of arriving in Germany.
An exam may be necessary, depending on if a reciprocity agreement is in place.
- Necessary Documents
-
Residence PermitPhoto 45mm×35mmPassportDriver's License from home countryInternational Driver's License, or an official translation of home country driver's license into German
- Documents to be received
-
German Driver's License (To be picked up at a later date)
- Where to apply/register
Stadthaus Grafenstraße （Grafenstraße 30）/ Bürger-und Ordnungsamt, Fahrerlaubnisbehörde
- How to make an appointment
No prior appointment needed
- Important points to note
A german driver’s license must be obtained within 6 months of arriving in Germany.
An exam may be necessary, depending on if a reciprocity agreement is in place.
Changing your Tax Class
- Aachen
- Darmstadt
- Necessary Documents
-
Steuer ID of spouse
- Documents to be received
-
You may receive a notice via post if the application form was not filled in correctly or additional information is needed.
- Where to apply/register
Send Via post, or put directly in the mailbox at the finance office
Send your application HERE
- Necessary Documents
-
Steuer ID of spouse
- Documents to be received
-
You may receive a notice via post if the application form was not filled in correctly or additional information is needed.
- Where to apply/register
Send Via post, or put directly in the mailbox at the finance office
Send your application HERE
Kindergeld（Child Benefit)
- Aachen
- Darmstadt
- Necessary Documents
-
Steuer ID of child
- Documents to be received
-
You may receive a notice via post if the application form was not filled in correctly or additional information is needed.
- Necessary Documents
-
Steuer ID of child
- Documents to be received
-
You may receive a notice via post if the application form was not filled in correctly or additional information is needed.