Health insurance is one of the most important documents in Germany
First step: registration (Anmeldung)
The most important document is registration (Anmeldung). To register your place of residence, you should contact the citizen affairs office (Bürgeramt). A small tip – queues at district offices are always shorter than at the central city office, so it's better to go there. If you want to register in advance to submit documents, book an appointment (Termin) on the website, but you are unlikely to get an appointment within the next month. So feel free to go without any notice, take a ticket and wait your turn; this will take two to three hours of precious time.
Beforehand, you need to fill out a special form (Anmeldeformular) with your passport details. This form will speed up the work of the official receiving you. Since November 1, 2015, a new rule applies throughout Germany, according to which the tenant must provide a confirmation from the landlord (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). This should not be a burden for your landlord – the form can be found on the website of the citizen affairs office, and a few points need to be filled in.
If you change residence, re-registration is mandatory. If this is your first registration in Germany, you will be given a brochure with information about the city you moved to and a coupon catalog offering discounts on visits to museums, restaurants, and attractions. You will receive your registration immediately after submitting your application.
With the registration come certain obligations – now you will regularly pay the radio and television fee called Rundfunkbeitrag.
Second step: tax ID and social insurance number
The tax ID (Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer or simply IdNr), consisting of 11 digits, is valid for life. Since 2008, it has been issued to all Germans at birth and to foreigners registered in Germany. Once you register, you will receive an envelope with the coveted identification number within a few days.
This document should be carefully kept, as it will be needed when starting a job, filing tax returns (Einkommensteuererklärung), and contacting the tax office (Finanzamt).
The social insurance number (Sozialversicherungsnummer) is also assigned automatically; your first employer is obliged to order it. It comes by mail as a separate letter, is issued once in a lifetime, and is kept in the folder of the most important documents.
Third step: German SIM card
To buy a SIM card in Germany, you will not need a passport on which the phone number will be registered. If you do not yet have a long-term residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel), you can only get a prepaid tariff (Prepaid-Tarif). You can sign a multi-year contract with a mobile provider only if you have at least a one-year visa.
Envelopes with SIM cards from leading European mobile operators are sold in regular supermarkets and electronics stores; depending on the tariff, their cost ranges from 10 to 30 euros, and some balance is already included. We recommend looking not at the mobile giants, but at co-branded offers from German retail chains – their tariffs are more favorable and democratic.
After purchasing the SIM card, you need to register on the website or by phone as indicated on the envelope. After that, the number will be activated.
Topping up the account is a separate story. If you have a starter tariff, you will have to top up the SIM card at a supermarket. The algorithm is as follows: at the store checkout, you buy a receipt with a 16-digit code (Guthabenbon), which is entered on your mobile phone. If the tariff includes an online account, you can transfer money from your bank account to the SIM card there.
Almost every operator has service packages (SMS, internet, calls abroad) at favorable prices; there are very few unlimited tariffs.
Fourth step: bank account in Germany
Opening a bank account (Girokonto) in Germany should not cause any difficulties – the procedure is the same as in our country. You will need your international passport with a valid visa and the aforementioned registration. The main thing is to understand which bank suits you best. We recommend opting for large companies – they have tariffs with free account maintenance and a wide network of branches throughout the country. After studying the offers, go to the nearest branch and consult with a bank representative. Don't forget to set up online banking and a credit card linked to the account.
If you have already chosen a company and don't want to waste time consulting with a bank employee, there is an accelerated way to open an account. On the company's website, you can find an application form, which you should take to a post office to verify your identity. After a few days, you will receive a response from the bank, followed by cards and PINs.
Fifth step: health insurance
The last on the list, but perhaps the most important document in Germany – health insurance (Krankenversicherung). When applying for a national visa, the German embassy likely required you to have insurance for the first weeks of your stay; now you should take out a long-term policy.
This type of insurance is mandatory for staying in Germany. Depending on your annual income, the type of insurance is determined – public (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) or private (private Krankenversicherung), which is suitable for high earners. Monthly contributions are also calculated based on income and amount to about 15.5 percent. You'll have to dig into your pocket, but there is good news – your employer covers half of this amount.
Out of 130 insurance companies on the market, you need to choose only one. Please note that medical insurance does not cover all types of dental services, only a standard package.
After meeting with the insurance agent, you will receive a whole package for the employer; after they sign it, the insurer will get the documents back. In a week, expect a special card – it will come by mail. Optional types of insurance include insurance in case of occupational disability or civil liability insurance. Whether to take out additional types of insurance is up to you, but it is definitely worth considering this issue.