Settling in Germany
Step-by-step guides to German bureaucracy
Every official task a newcomer faces — explained in plain English, with the exact documents to bring and whether you can do it online. Pick a task, then your city for the local details.
1 · Pick your city
When you arrive
Register your address (Anmeldung)
Anmeldung
Read the guide→Get your tax ID & tax class
Steuer-ID / Finanzamt
Read the guide→Open a bank account
Girokonto
Read the guide→Sign up for health insurance
Krankenversicherung
Read the guide→Apply for a residence permit
Aufenthaltstitel
Read the guide→Find a place to live
Wohnungssuche
Read the guide→Get a SIM or phone contract
Handyvertrag
Read the guide→Extend your residence permit
Aufenthaltstitel verlängern
Read the guide→As you settle in
Exchange your driving licence
Führerschein umschreiben
Read the guide→Claim child benefit (Kindergeld)
Kindergeld
Read the guide→Get a public transport ticket
Deutschlandticket
Read the guide→Register as a freelancer
Freiberufler anmelden
Read the guide→File an income-tax return
Einkommensteuererklärung
Read the guide→Register a car (Kfz-Zulassung)
Kfz-Zulassung
Read the guide→Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld)
Elterngeld
Read the guide→Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld)
Wohngeld
Read the guide→Find a daycare place (Kita)
Kita-Platz
Read the guide→Enrol your child in school
Schulanmeldung
Read the guide→Apply for German citizenship
Einbürgerung
Read the guide→Apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis)
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Read the guide→Get a German driving licence (driving school)
Führerschein / Fahrschule
Read the guide→TiG Desk · free iPhone app
German letters, read for you
Scan an official letter, keep the document on your phone and set deadline reminders. Scanning and on-device recognition work without an account. Full AI explanations need a free account and send the text to our server with your consent.
Filling the form on a computer? TiG Pilot helps explain German fields on supported forms in your browser.
- 📷Scan letters and review the sender, dates and requested actions
- 🗂️Every document in one place, kept on your phone
- ⏰Set reminders for deadlines and appointments
- 🇩🇪Keep German terms alongside the explanation for comparison