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 – Hamburg 2026: Registration, bank account & integration

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.

You must register your new address at a Hamburg customer center. This must be done within 14 days after moving in. Hamburg has customer centers in every district.

📄 Required Documents

Passport with visa(Required)

Valid visa for Germany

Landlord confirmation(Required)

Signed by landlord

Rental contract(Optional)

Bring just in case

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•Book online at hamburg.de/go/17584 or call 115

💡 Weitere Tipps

Mon-Fri 7am-7pm WITH appointment only
Dont forget landlord confirmation!
Registration certificate important for other authorities

Appointment Hamburg Customer Center↗

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

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

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)↗🔒 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

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

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

Residence permit(Required)

Current permit

Registration certificate(Required)

From citizens' office

💡 Weitere Tipps

Hamburg Adult Education Center offers integration courses
Private language schools also possible
BAMF funding: only 2.29€/hour contribution
Hamburg Welcome Center advises on language courses

VHS Hamburg - German courses↗🧑‍💼 Find a job in Germany

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

Visit Hamburg Welcome Center

🚨

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

For questions about residence permits or integration, the Hamburg Welcome Center is your central contact point. Applications are submitted online via the service portal.

📄 Required Documents

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

💡 Weitere Tipps

Hamburg Welcome Center: Hotline 040 428 39-5500
Online application via Hamburg Service Portal
Upload documents digitally in advance
Fiction certificate for long waiting times
Checklists: welcome.hamburg.de

Apply for Hamburg residence permit↗

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 Hamburg

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 Hamburg Welcome Center

📄 Required Documents

💳 Credit card & liability insurance

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

📋What you should do next: