North Rhine-Westphalia · Newcomer guide
Settling in Bochum
Bochum sits in the heart of the Ruhr; like its neighbours it shares the NRW state portals, and both rents and appointment waits are lower than in Cologne or Düsseldorf. Work through the steps below — each guide lists the exact documents to bring.
Typical monthly cost in Bochum: ~€1.520 (rent + essentials). See the full city guide →
When you arrive
Register your address (Anmeldung) in Bochum
Anmeldung
Read the guide→Get your tax ID & tax class in Bochum
Steuer-ID / Finanzamt
Read the guide→Open a bank account in Bochum
Girokonto
Read the guide→Sign up for health insurance in Bochum
Krankenversicherung
Read the guide→Apply for a residence permit in Bochum
Aufenthaltstitel
Read the guide→Find a place to live in Bochum
Wohnungssuche
Read the guide→Get a SIM or phone contract in Bochum
Handyvertrag
Read the guide→Extend your residence permit in Bochum
Aufenthaltstitel verlängern
Read the guide→As you settle in
Exchange your driving licence in Bochum
Führerschein umschreiben
Read the guide→Claim child benefit (Kindergeld) in Bochum
Kindergeld
Read the guide→Get a public transport ticket in Bochum
Deutschlandticket
Read the guide→Register as a freelancer in Bochum
Freiberufler anmelden
Read the guide→File an income-tax return in Bochum
Einkommensteuererklärung
Read the guide→Register a car (Kfz-Zulassung) in Bochum
Kfz-Zulassung
Read the guide→Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) in Bochum
Elterngeld
Read the guide→Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Bochum
Wohngeld
Read the guide→Find a daycare place (Kita) in Bochum
Kita-Platz
Read the guide→Enrol your child in school in Bochum
Schulanmeldung
Read the guide→Apply for German citizenship in Bochum
Einbürgerung
Read the guide→Apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in Bochum
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Read the guide→Get a German driving licence (driving school) in Bochum
Führerschein / Fahrschule
Read the guide→Meet Amtly
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