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New to Germany in Dresden

Your complete starter guide for beginning in Germany

Progress0 of 8 steps completed
8 Schritte · ca. 6 Minuten0%

✓ Du bist in 6 Minuten fertig

Step 1⏱ 5–10 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

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo
•Citizens' Office Altstadt: Dr.-Külz-Ring 19, 01067 Dresden
•Citizens' Office Neustadt: Hoyerswerdaer Str. 3, 01099 Dresden
💡 Weitere Tipps
  • Tel. 0351-4880 or online: terminvergabe.dresden.de
  • Get landlord confirmation from landlord BEFORE appointment
  • Order multiple registration certificates (for bank, employer, etc.)
Appointment at Dresden citizens' office↗
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

💡 Weitere Tipps
  • N26 or Vivid: completely online, also in English
  • Ostsächsische Sparkasse Dresden: in person, 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

💡 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)↗🔒 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↗
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

💡 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

The integration course helps with German and explains how Germany works. Often free or very cheap!

⚠️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

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo
•VHS Dresden: Annenstraße 10, 01067 Dresden, Tel. 0351-2544037
💡 Weitere Tipps
  • 600 hours German + 100 hours orientation course
  • BAMF often covers the costs
  • DTZ exam at end = language proof for citizenship
Find integration course in Dresden↗🧑‍💼 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 prior arrangement! Request via phone or email.

The Dresden immigration office handles visas, residence permits and extensions. Appointments only by prior arrangement!

📄 Required Documents

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo
•Immigration office Dresden: Theaterstraße 11-15, 01067 Dresden
•Hotline: 0351-4886009
💡 Weitere Tipps
  • Email: auslaenderbehoerde@dresden.de
  • Walk-in visits NOT possible – always make an appointment!
  • When requesting appointment: provide name, date of birth, nationality, reason for visit
Immigration office Dresden↗
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 ↗
* Affiliate-Link: Bei Abschluss über diesen Link erhalten wir eine Provision – für dich kostenlos und unverbindlich. AmtPilot ist Tippgeber, kein Vermittler. Mehr erfahren

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have time?
14 Tage nach Einzug
What does it cost?
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.

📋What you should do next:

🛂
Visa & residence in DresdenView checklist →
›🇩🇪
Naturalization in DresdenView checklist →
›🏠
Moving in DresdenView checklist →
›🧑‍💼
Work & Job in DresdenView checklist →
›