Moving to Germany: what to do after arrival and how to settle in

5 key things to do after moving to Germany

• Register your address within two weeks after moving into your new home.
• Check whether electricity, gas and water are already included in your rent or need to be arranged separately.
• Compare phone and internet contracts carefully, especially if you are new to the German market.
• Do not overlook recurring charges such as the broadcasting contribution, motor vehicle tax or dog tax.
• Register your car in Germany if you move here permanently and use it here on a long-term basis.

What should you do first after moving to Germany?

One of the first things you usually need to do is register your address.

If you move into a home in Germany, you generally have to register your new address with the local registration office within two weeks after moving in. Depending on the city, this office may be called Bürgeramt, Meldebehörde or Einwohnermeldeamt.

You will usually need:

• a completed registration form
• a valid identity card or passport
• a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord or housing provider

Important: a rental agreement alone is usually not enough. The landlord confirmation is normally required.

If you move within Germany, you usually do not have to deregister at your old address first. Registering at your new address is generally enough. Deregistration is usually only necessary if you move abroad or give up a residence in Germany without taking up a new one.

What should you know about insurance in Germany?

If you move to Germany, insurance is one of the most important issues to clarify early on. In particular, health insurance is mandatory. Employees are usually part of the German social security system, while students and other groups may be subject to different rules depending on their status.

In addition to mandatory insurance, some optional policies can also be useful in everyday life. Private liability insurance, for example, is strongly recommended in Germany because even small accidents can lead to high costs. For a fuller overview of health insurance, social security and recommended private insurance, see our article on insurance in Germany.

How do gas, electricity and water work in Germany?

After moving into a flat or house, check whether water, electricity and gas are already included in your rent or in the utility advance payments.

Do you need to arrange utilities yourself?

In many rental properties:

• water is often part of the operating costs
• electricity often has to be arranged by the tenant
• gas may be included or may need to be arranged separately

If you do not actively choose an electricity or gas supplier, you will usually receive energy automatically from the local basic supplier. You can still switch to another provider later and – if you want to save money – should usually do so because the basic supplier often is more expensive than market offers.

Outside the basic supply, energy contracts with household customers must generally be concluded in text form, for example by email or letter.

What happens if you move again?

If you move home, your energy contract does not end automatically.

In principle, you have a special termination right. However, if your current supplier offers to continue the contract at your new address on the same terms within two weeks, that special right usually no longer applies.

How do you understand a German energy bill?

German energy bills often look technical at first. But the basic idea is simple:

• you usually pay a fixed monthly advance payment called an Abschlag
• this amount is based on estimated consumption
• at least once a year, the supplier sends a bill based on your actual consumption
• if you paid too much, you receive a credit
• if you paid too little, you have to make an additional payment

Your bill must be clear and understandable. If necessary, you can ask the supplier to explain it.

In simple terms, the total price on your bill usually includes:

• the energy you used
• a fixed basic price
• network charges
• taxes and other statutory price components

How do telephone and internet contracts work in Germany?

Germany offers a wide range of contracts for mobile phones, internet and landline services.

Before signing a contract, check:

• the monthly price
• the contract term
• the cancellation conditions
• whether the service is actually available at your address

If you move and your provider cannot deliver the agreed service at your new address, you generally have a special termination right with one month’s notice. If the provider can continue the service at your new home, the contract usually continues.

If you want more details about choosing a provider, switching contracts or keeping your number, see our article on telecommunication in Germany.

Which taxes and charges should you expect in Germany?

After moving to Germany, some recurring costs can come as a surprise. These are some of the most important ones.

Motor vehicle tax

If you register a car in Germany, you usually also have to pay motor vehicle tax.

The amount depends on the type of vehicle and, for passenger cars, for example on factors such as:

• engine size
• fuel type
• CO2 emissions

When registering the vehicle, you usually need to provide a SEPA direct debit mandate so the tax can be collected automatically.

Property tax

Property tax is paid by the property owner. In rental housing, however, it may appear as part of the operating costs passed on to tenants.

Broadcasting contribution

Germany finances public broadcasting through the broadcasting contribution. For private households, the current fee is 18.36 euros per month. The basic rule is simple: one dwelling, one fee.

This means:

• the contribution is not linked to owning a TV, radio or computer
• it does not depend on how many people live in the household
• if several adults live together, usually only one person has to pay for the dwelling

After you register your address, the contribution service may contact you to clarify who pays for the dwelling. If someone in your household already pays, you can normally reply with that person’s contribution number.

Exemptions or reductions are possible in some cases, but they are not granted automatically. You usually have to apply and provide proof.

Dog tax

If you keep a dog in Germany, you usually have to register it in your municipality and pay dog tax.

This is a local tax, so the amount and the exact rules depend on where you live. If you move to another municipality, you will usually have to deregister the dog in the old one and register it again in the new one.

Do you need to register your car in Germany?

If you move to Germany permanently and bring your car for permanent use here, you should usually register it in Germany. Temporary stays can be different.

Vehicle registration is usually handled by the local Kfz-Zulassungsstelle.

The exact documents may vary, but you will often need:

• a valid identity document
• proof of your address in Germany
• proof of insurance, usually an eVB number
• a SEPA direct debit mandate for the motor vehicle tax
• the foreign vehicle documents
• proof of ownership, such as the purchase contract or invoice
• the Certificate of Conformity (CoC), if available
• proof of a valid roadworthiness inspection, if required

If you bought the car in another EU country and it is still considered new for VAT purposes, special VAT rules may apply. In general, a car is considered new for VAT purposes if it has been in use for no more than six months or has been driven for no more than 6,000 kilometres.