Moving Guide

The Anmeldung is the mandatory registration of your address with the local Einwohnermeldeamt (residents' registration office), handled at the Bürgeramt. Required documents: valid passport or EU ID card, completed Anmeldeformular (downloadable from your city's website), and Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (signed by your landlord confirming your tenancy). The Anmeldung is free of charge. Afterwards, you receive a Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate) - this document unlocks your ability to open a bank account, register for health insurance, and access most German administrative services.

EU residents moving within the EU face no customs restrictions. Non-EU nationals can import household goods duty-free as Übersiedlungsgut (removal goods) provided: the goods were owned and in regular use for at least 6 months before the move, you held legal residence in your previous country for at least 12 months, and the goods are not sold within 12 months of import. Present a detailed inventory, your residence permit, and proof of prior ownership to German customs (Zoll). Vehicles are subject to separate import rules.

Visit the Straßenverkehrsamt (road traffic authority) in your city. Requirements: valid foreign licence, certified German translation (from a sworn translator - Vereidigter Übersetzer), Anmeldung certificate, biometric passport photo, and your passport. Processing takes 2–6 weeks. Whether you need a theory or practical test depends on your country of origin - Germany has bilateral exchange agreements with the EU, UK, Switzerland, South Korea, Japan, and some others. US, Australian, Canadian, and Indian licence holders typically need a theory test at minimum. Check the current list on the KBA (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt) website.

Bring: sentimental items, electronics (ensure dual-voltage compatibility), professional equipment, children's favourites, and documents. Buy locally: furniture (IKEA has 60+ German stores), bedding and towels, kitchen appliances (good value at Saturn, MediaMarkt, or Amazon.de), and clothing (excellent range at H&M, Zara, C&A, and local brands). Avoid shipping: large appliances (different voltage/plug standards), bulky furniture (expensive to ship, cheap to replace), and anything available on Amazon.de for under €100 - shipping costs from most non-EU countries make it uneconomical.

N26 is the easiest solution - it opens a full German IBAN account entirely online with just a valid passport, using video verification. No Anmeldung is required for the basic N26 account. This gives you an IBAN immediately for receiving your first salary and setting up direct debits. Once you have your Anmeldung (within your first 14 days), open a second account with a traditional bank (ING, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank) for direct debit mandates, cash deposits, and services that traditional landlords and institutions prefer from established banks.