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 – Kiel 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

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•Stadtamt Rathaus Kiel (main office): Fleethörn 9, 24103 Kiel

💡 Weitere Tipps

Opening hours: Mon/Tue 7:30am–4pm, Wed closed, Thu 7:30am–6pm, Fri 7:30am–12pm | Daily walk-in hours (except Wed) 9am–12pm
Tel. 115 or online: kiel.de/terminvereinbarung
Get landlord confirmation from landlord BEFORE appointment
Order multiple registration certificates (for bank, employer, etc.)

Appointment at Kiel 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

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

Complete all required documents first

Residence permit(Required)

Current permit

Registration certificate(Required)

From citizens' office

💡 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↗

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, no walk-ins! Book primarily by email to zuwanderung@kiel.de (state name, first name, date of birth and reason) or online.

The Kiel immigration department (Zuwanderungsabteilung) handles visas, residence permits and extensions – exclusively for people registered in Kiel (independent city, no surrounding district). Appointments only.

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

Passport(Required)

Valid

Appointment confirmation(Required)

After booking request by email to zuwanderung@kiel.de

Registration certificate(Required)

From citizens' office

Biometric photo(Required)

35x45mm, recent

Employment contract or enrollment certificate(Required)

Depending on purpose of stay

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•Zuwanderungsabteilung Kiel: Stresemannplatz 5 (Neues Rathaus), 24103 Kiel

💡 Weitere Tipps

Tel. 0431 901-4299 | Email: zuwanderung@kiel.de
💡 TIP: Request an appointment mainly by email – include name, first name, date of birth and reason
Central authority – handles only people registered in Kiel (independent city, no surrounding district)
Visits ONLY by appointment, no walk-ins
Online appointment portal: terminvergabe.kiel.de/tevis-zuwanderung/

Kiel immigration department↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Online appointment portal ↗

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 Kiel

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

Part of: Arrival in Germany