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New to Germany in Bremen

The most important steps for newcomers in Bremen

Progress0 of 7 steps completed
7 Schritte · ca. 5 Minuten0%

✓ Du bist in 5 Minuten fertig

Step 15–10 Min

Register address

🚨
Frist: 14 days after moving in · Without registration you cannot open a bank account or sign an employment contract!

Registration at BürgerServiceCenter is the first and most important step in Bremen!

📄 Required Documents

💡 Weitere Tipps
  • BürgerServiceCenter Mitte: Pelzerstraße 40
  • BürgerServiceCenter Nord: Gerhard-Rohlfs-Str. 62
  • BürgerServiceCenter Stresemannstraße: Stresemannstr. 48
  • Book appointment online or call 115
  • Express counter without appointment available
Step 25–10 Min

Apply for residence permit

🚨
Frist: Before visa expires · Migration office only serves with appointment! Appointment request via email required.

After entering with a visa you must apply for a residence permit at Bremen migration office.

📄 Required Documents

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo
Migration office: Stresemannstraße 48, 28207 Bremen
Phone: 0421 361-88630
💡 Weitere Tipps
  • Appointment request: office@migrationsamt.bremen.de
  • National visa (D) counts as residence title until eAT issuance
Step 35–10 Min

Open bank account

🚨
Frist: After registration · Without German account no salary and no rent payment!

With registration certificate you can open a German bank account.

📄 Required Documents

💡 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
Step 45–10 Min

Get health insurance

🚨
Frist: Before residence permit application · No residence permit without health insurance!

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany! You need it for residence permit.

📄 Required Documents

💡 Weitere Tipps
  • For employees: Statutory health insurance (TK, AOK, Barmer, etc.)
  • Employer pays half the contribution
  • Without work: Private insurance or voluntary statutory
  • For students: Cheap rates at statutory insurers
Step 52–5 Min

Receive tax ID

The tax identification number is automatically sent after registration.

⚠️Without tax ID your employer cannot register you correctly!
Arrives ca. 2-4 weeks after registration💰 0 €
💡 Weitere Tipps
  • Letter comes automatically from Federal Central Tax Office
  • 11-digit number - valid for life
  • If letter doesn't arrive: Ask at tax office
  • Tax office Bremen: Rudolf-Hilferding-Platz 1
Step 65–10 Min

Attend German course

Learning German is important for work, daily life and later naturalization!

⚠️B1 level is required for many residence permits!
As early as possible💰 Integrationskurs: Teils gefördert (ca. 2 € pro Stunde)

📄 Required Documents

💡 Weitere Tipps
  • VHS Bremen: Wide selection of German courses
  • Integration courses: Funded by BAMF
  • Goal: B1 certificate for settlement/naturalization
  • Job-related German courses (B2/C1) for better jobs
Step 72–5 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
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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have time?
14 Tage nach Einzug
What does it cost?
0 €, 100-150 € (je nach Aufenthaltstitel), 0-10 € pro Monat, ca. 100-900 € pro Monat, 0 €, Integrationskurs: Teils gefördert (ca. 2 € pro Stunde)
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Ohne Anmeldung kannst du kein Bankkonto eröffnen und keinen Arbeitsvertrag unterschreiben!