The first 90 days of working in Germany as a foreign hire covers a specific sequence of bureaucratic tasks. Getting them wrong delays everything; getting them right is straightforward if you know what comes in what order.
Week 1-2: Registration First
Everything in Germany starts with Anmeldung — registering your address at the local Bürgeramt (citizens’ office). You need a rental contract (or Wohnungsgeberbestätigung — landlord confirmation form) and your passport. This appointment is often booked 2–4 weeks in advance in large cities; try to book before you arrive. The Anmeldebescheinigung (registration certificate) you receive is the foundational document for everything that follows: bank account, health insurance, tax registration, and your Steueridentifikationsnummer (tax ID) arrives by post approximately 2 weeks after Anmeldung.
Week 2-3: Health Insurance
Germany has a dual system: gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV — statutory/public health insurance, mandatory for employees earning under €69,300/year in 2024) and private Krankenversicherung (PKV — private, available above the income threshold). Most new employees in the standard salary range go with GKV. Major providers: TK (Techniker Krankenkasse — popular with employed foreigners), AOK (regional coverage), Barmer. Registration with GKV is done directly with the insurer — your employer will ask for your insurance number to set up payroll. Contribute: approximately 16.3% of gross salary, half paid by you and half by employer.
Week 3-4: Bank Account
A German bank account is required for salary payment. Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank (brick-and-mortar) and N26, DKB, ING (online — no branches but free accounts and English apps) are the main options. N26 and DKB are generally recommended for new arrivals: free accounts, English interfaces, and no minimum salary requirement. You need your Anmeldebescheinigung and passport. N26 verification can be completed online with a video call; DKB sends a physical PostIdent form.
Month 2-3: German Integration
The first 90 days are also when German becomes practically urgent. Your workplace may operate in English, but the bureaucracy operates exclusively in German. Integration courses (offered by government-certified providers, often subsidised for new arrivals) run 600–900 hours for A1-B1. Apps (Duolingo, Babbel) cover basics but do not replace structured learning for functional German. Most people who integrate well report having started German before arrival.
