North Rhine-Westphalia · Newcomer guide
Settling in Bonn
Bonn, the former West German capital, hosts a UN campus and the headquarters of Deutsche Telekom and DHL Group. Work through the steps below — each guide lists the exact documents to bring.
Example monthly budget in Bonn: €1,578 for one employed adult in 50 m². Uses Q2 2026 asking cold rents plus planning allowances. Replace the assumptions with your own costs. Kiel Institut für Weltwirtschaft auf Basis der VALUE Marktdatenbank. See the full city guide →
When you arrive
Register your address (Anmeldung) in Bonn
Anmeldung
Read the guide→Get your tax ID & tax class in Bonn
Steuer-ID / Finanzamt
Read the guide→Open a bank account in Bonn
Girokonto
Read the guide→Sign up for health insurance in Bonn
Krankenversicherung
Read the guide→Apply for a residence permit in Bonn
Aufenthaltstitel
Read the guide→Find a place to live in Bonn
Wohnungssuche
Read the guide→Get a SIM or phone contract in Bonn
Handyvertrag
Read the guide→Extend your residence permit in Bonn
Aufenthaltstitel verlängern
Read the guide→As you settle in
Exchange your driving licence in Bonn
Führerschein umschreiben
Read the guide→Claim child benefit (Kindergeld) in Bonn
Kindergeld
Read the guide→Get a public transport ticket in Bonn
Deutschlandticket
Read the guide→Register as a freelancer in Bonn
Freiberufler anmelden
Read the guide→File an income-tax return in Bonn
Einkommensteuererklärung
Read the guide→Register a car (Kfz-Zulassung) in Bonn
Kfz-Zulassung
Read the guide→Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) in Bonn
Elterngeld
Read the guide→Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Bonn
Wohngeld
Read the guide→Find a daycare place (Kita) in Bonn
Kita-Platz
Read the guide→Enrol your child in school in Bonn
Schulanmeldung
Read the guide→Apply for German citizenship in Bonn
Einbürgerung
Read the guide→Apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in Bonn
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Read the guide→Get a German driving licence (driving school) in Bonn
Führerschein / Fahrschule
Read the guide→TiG Desk · free iPhone app
The letters that come with your move to Bonn, 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