What should I do in my first 60 days after arriving in Germany?
In your first 60 days in Germany, register your address within 14 days, open a bank account, get a German SIM, and secure health insurance and your tax ID by day 30. By day 60, apply for your residence permit and set up utilities and transit.
Your first 60 days in Germany follow a clear sequence: register your address immediately, then lock down your financial and health essentials, and finally convert your visa into a long-term permit. Missing an early step, like Anmeldung, can delay everything after it. Follow this order and you will avoid the most common newcomer mistakes.
Your 60-Day Priority Checklist
| Timeframe | Key Tasks |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 14 | Anmeldung, landlord confirmation, bank account, German SIM card |
| Days 15 to 30 | Health insurance, Tax ID (Steuer-ID), liability insurance (Haftpflicht) |
| Days 30 to 60 | Residence permit, social security number, utilities, transit pass |
Why the Order Matters
- Anmeldung within 14 days unlocks your Tax ID, bank account, and health insurance applications.
- Give your employer your Tax ID immediately, or you get taxed at the highest emergency bracket.
- Book your Auslanderbehorde appointment for your residence permit as early as possible, since slots fill up fast in cities like Berlin and Munich.
- Buy your Deutschlandticket once settled, since it covers unlimited regional transit for a flat monthly fee.
My Advice
Book your Burgeramt Anmeldung appointment online the day you land, even before you have finalised housing, since these slots vanish quickly in major cities. Carry printed copies of your passport, visa, and landlord confirmation to every appointment, so a single missing document never forces you to reschedule and lose weeks.
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