🌍

New to Germany in Frankfurt

First steps, registration, integration

Progress0 of 5 steps completed
5 Schritte · ca. 4 Minuten0%

✓ Du bist in 4 Minuten fertig

Step 1⏱ 5–10 Min

Register residence

🚨
Frist: 14 days after arrival · Without registration no bank account, no employment contract!

After arriving in Frankfurt, you must register at the citizens' office within 14 days.

📄 Required Documents

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo
•Citizens' office: Zeil 3, 60313 Frankfurt
💡 Weitere Tipps
  • Online appointment: frankfurt.de/termine
  • Phone 069 115
  • Take registration certificate with you!
Book appointment↗
Step 2⏱ 5–10 Min

Open bank account

🚨
Frist: After registration · Without account no salary payment possible!

With the registration certificate you can open a German bank account.

📄 Required Documents

💡 Weitere Tipps
  • Sparkasse, Volksbank, Commerzbank locally
  • Online banks: N26, ING, DKB
  • Basic account available for everyone
  • Have IBAN ready for employer
👉 Konto jetzt eröffnen *
Step 3⏱ 5–10 Min

Get health insurance

🚨
Frist: Immediately after arrival · Without health insurance no doctor visits!

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Employees are automatically insured.

📄 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⏱ 5–10 Min

Register for integration course

The integration course includes German course (600h) and orientation course (100h). Mandatory for many immigrants.

⚠️If mandatory: benefits may be cut for non-attendance!
⏰ After arrival💰 2,29 € / Stunde (Befreiung möglich)

📄 Required Documents

💡 Weitere Tipps
  • VHS Frankfurt offers courses
  • Apply for BAMF authorization
  • Final: DTZ exam (B1)
  • Cost exemption possible with ALG II
VHS Frankfurt↗
Step 5⏱ 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 Ankunft
What does it cost?
0 €, 0-10 € / Monat, ca. 15% vom Gehalt, 2,29 € / Stunde (Befreiung möglich)
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Ohne Anmeldung kein Bankkonto, kein Arbeitsvertrag!

📋What you should do next:

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