Priority list
- Book an Anmeldung appointment right away. You must register within 14 days of moving in, and big cities have few slots. New slots are often released early in the morning. Check the city portal several times a day, and check neighbouring Bürgerämter — in most cities any office in the city can register you.
- Get a SIM card. Prepaid SIMs need identity verification (passport plus video-ident or in-shop check). Discount brands that run on the main networks cost €5–15/month.
- Get a transport ticket. The Deutschlandticket (€63/month) is a subscription you can buy in transport apps or the DB Navigator app. It covers all local and regional transport, but not ICE/IC/EC trains.
- Get cash. Card acceptance has improved, but small bakeries, kiosks and some restaurants are still cash-only. Withdraw at your bank's own ATMs or a partner network — other banks' ATMs can charge €2–6.
- Collect your Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord or temporary-housing provider.
Know these numbers
| Number | What for |
|---|---|
| 112 | Ambulance and fire brigade (free, works without SIM) |
| 110 | Police |
| 116 117 | Non-emergency doctor out of hours, and appointment service |
| 115 | Public-authority information line (many cities) |
| 0800 111 0 111 | Telefonseelsorge — free crisis line, 24/7 |
Things that surprise newcomers
- Shops close on Sundays (except bakeries for a few hours, petrol stations and big railway stations). Do your shopping on Saturday.
- Pharmacies (Apotheke, red "A" sign) are the only places that sell most medicines, even paracetamol in bigger packs. One pharmacy per district is always open at night (Notdienst) — see aponet.de.
- Tap water is drinkable everywhere.
- Bike lanes are for bikes — don't walk on them.
72-hour checklist
- ☐ Anmeldung appointment booked (date: ___).
- ☐ SIM active, number saved in your employer/landlord contacts.
- ☐ Ticket bought, route to work tested.
- ☐ Wohnungsgeberbestätigung in hand.
- ☐ Emergency numbers saved.