0 €, 0 € (Basiskonto), Ca. 15% vom Bruttolohn (Arbeitnehmer), 0 €, 10-50 €/Monat, 0 € - 2,29 €/Stunde, 60-100 € je nach Titel

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Es kann ein Bußgeld geben und viele Verträge sowie Behördengänge werden ohne Anmeldung schwieriger.

New to Germany – Bochum 2026: Registration, bank account & integration

Step 1⏱ 10–15 Min

Register your address

🚨

Frist: 14 days after moving in · You may face a fine and many contracts and official processes become more difficult without registration.

First things first: You must register at the citizens' office within 14 days. Almost nothing in Germany works without registration!

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

Passport with visa(Required)

Valid visa for Germany

Landlord confirmation(Required)

Signed by landlord

Rental contract(Optional)

Bring just in case

💡 Weitere Tipps

Online appointment: bochum.de/Online-Terminbuchung or termine.bochum.de
Important: Foreign nationals registered at citizens service since 01.07.2024
Required: Passport, landlord confirmation, visa if applicable
Deadline: 14 days after moving in
Bochum Buergerbueros: BVZ headquarters + 4 district offices (Wattenscheid/Hofstede/Langendreer/Riemke)

Book appointment Bochum citizens office↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 2⏱ 5–10 Min

Open a bank account

🚨

Frist: As early as possible · Without IBAN your employer can't pay you and rent payments become complicated.

You need a German bank account for salary, rent and all contracts. Online banks are often easier for newcomers.

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

Passport(Required)

Valid

Registration certificate(Required)

From citizens' office

Residence permit(Required)

Current permit

💡 Weitere Tipps

N26 or Vivid: completely online, also in English
Sparkasse/Volksbank: in person, but with more services
Basic account: Right for everyone, even without fixed address
IBAN needed for salary and contracts

👉 Konto jetzt eröffnen *

Step 3⏱ 5–10 Min

Get health insurance

🚨

Frist: Before starting work · Health insurance is mandatory. Without it you have to pay doctor visits yourself.

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany! If you are employed, it runs automatically through your employer.

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

Registration certificate(Required)

From citizens' office

Employment contract(Optional)

If already available

💡 Weitere Tipps

GKV (statutory): mandatory for employees earning up to EUR 73,800/year (2025)
PKV (private): option for self-employed, civil servants, high earners
EU citizens: bring European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if applicable
Tip: No health insurance = no permanent residence permit!
GKV registration: possible within 90 days of entry

All statutory health insurance funds (GKV)↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

🔒 Compare private health insurance (PKV) ↗

Step 4⏱ 2–5 Min

Get tax ID

The tax ID (11 digits) comes automatically by mail after registration. Your employer needs it for your salary.

⚠️Without tax ID your employer applies the highest tax class first – you get less net salary.

⏰ 2-4 weeks after registration💰 0 €

💡 Weitere Tipps

Comes automatically – you don't need to apply
Often takes 2-4 weeks
Employer can start without it (submitted later)
If lost: request online from Federal Central Tax Office

Request tax ID online↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 5⏱ 5–10 Min

Get mobile phone contract

With a German number and bank account, you can get a mobile phone contract. Prepaid is fine for the start.

⚠️A German number is practical for 2-factor authentication with bank and authorities.

⏰ After bank account💰 10-50 €/Monat

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

ID card or passport(Required)

For identification

Registration certificate(Required)

From citizens' office

Bank details (IBAN)(Required)

For direct debit

💡 Weitere Tipps

Prepaid: no credit check, immediately usable
Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect: cheap and uncomplicated
Contracts: often 24 months minimum term
German number important for verification (bank, etc.)

Compare mobile plans*

Step 6⏱ 5–10 Min

Take integration course

Register for an integration course. In Bochum, VHS Bochum offers integration courses (600 units German + 60 units orientation). Registration only possible after personal advisory meeting. BAMF approval is a prerequisite.

⚠️Integration course is important for your integration and helps with learning German. Good for later citizenship!

⏰ Recommended within first year💰 0 € - 2,29 €/Stunde

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

Residence permit(Required)

Current permit

Registration certificate(Required)

From citizens' office

💡 Weitere Tipps

VHS Bochum: Tel. 0234 910-1555 | vhs@bochum.de
Registration only after advisory meeting - no online registration possible
Location: BVZ Bochum-Mitte, Gustav-Heinemann-Platz 2-6
600 units German (B1) + 60 units orientation = 660 units total
Free if obliged or receiving SGB II benefits | EUR 4.58/unit otherwise

Integration course VHS Bochum↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

🧑‍💼 Find a job in Germany

Step 7If you need a residence permit⏱ 5–10 Min

Visit immigration office

🚨

Frist: Before visa expires · Appointments ONLY with invitation letter! Request via email or contact form.

Visit the Bochum immigration office (Auslaenderbuero) at the Town Hall (Willy-Brandt-Platz 2-6). Appointments only by email to Auslaenderbuero-Service@Bochum.de. Submit online applications via bochum.de/Auslaenderbuero beforehand - this significantly speeds up processing. Tel: 0234 910-3777 (Mo-Fr 8:30-12:30).

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

Passport(Required)

Valid

Invitation letter(Required)

Comes by mail after appointment request

Registration certificate(Required)

From citizens' office

Biometric photo(Required)

35x45mm, recent

Employment contract or enrollment certificate(Required)

Depending on purpose of stay

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•Immigration office Bochum: Koenigstr. 63-65, 47051 Bochum

•Tel: 0234 910-3777 (Mo-Fr 8:30-12:30) (Mon-Thu 8am-2pm, Fri 8am-1pm)

💡 Weitere Tipps

Submit online application BEFORE appointment: service.bochum.de/auslaenderbehoerde
Book appointment by postcode: www.bochum.de/allgemein/fachbereiche/33/index.php
Important: Contact within 1 week of arrival!

Bochum immigration office - appointment↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Submit online application ↗

Step 8⏱ 2–5 Min

💳 Credit card & liability insurance

Two things important in Germany: a credit card (or prepaid card) for online shopping, travel and international payments. And liability insurance – it pays if you accidentally damage something or hurt someone.

⚠️Without liability insurance you are personally liable for every damage – even if it is not your fault. From €2-5/month.

💡 Weitere Tipps

💳 Prepaid credit card: no Schufa needed, ideal for newcomers (e.g. DKB, Revolut)
🌍 Revolut or Wise: free, ideal for international transfers
🛡️ Liability: from €2-5/month – one of the most important insurances in Germany
📱 Everything online: account + credit card + liability in 10 minutes

👉 Compare credit cards free*🛡️ Compare liability insurance ↗

New to Germany in Bochum

Register your address

📄 Required Documents

Open a bank account

📄 Required Documents

Get health insurance

📄 Required Documents

Get tax ID

Get mobile phone contract

📄 Required Documents

Take integration course

📄 Required Documents

Visit immigration office

📄 Required Documents

💳 Credit card & liability insurance

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

📋What you should do next: