Bremen · Newcomer guide
Settling in Bremen
Bremen and Bremerhaven together form the state of Bremen, so city and state services sit in one administration. Work through the steps below — each guide lists the exact documents to bring.
Example monthly budget in Bremen: €1,480 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 Bremen
Anmeldung
Read the guide→Get your tax ID & tax class in Bremen
Steuer-ID / Finanzamt
Read the guide→Open a bank account in Bremen
Girokonto
Read the guide→Sign up for health insurance in Bremen
Krankenversicherung
Read the guide→Apply for a residence permit in Bremen
Aufenthaltstitel
Read the guide→Find a place to live in Bremen
Wohnungssuche
Read the guide→Get a SIM or phone contract in Bremen
Handyvertrag
Read the guide→Extend your residence permit in Bremen
Aufenthaltstitel verlängern
Read the guide→As you settle in
Exchange your driving licence in Bremen
Führerschein umschreiben
Read the guide→Claim child benefit (Kindergeld) in Bremen
Kindergeld
Read the guide→Get a public transport ticket in Bremen
Deutschlandticket
Read the guide→Register as a freelancer in Bremen
Freiberufler anmelden
Read the guide→File an income-tax return in Bremen
Einkommensteuererklärung
Read the guide→Register a car (Kfz-Zulassung) in Bremen
Kfz-Zulassung
Read the guide→Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) in Bremen
Elterngeld
Read the guide→Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Bremen
Wohngeld
Read the guide→Find a daycare place (Kita) in Bremen
Kita-Platz
Read the guide→Enrol your child in school in Bremen
Schulanmeldung
Read the guide→Apply for German citizenship in Bremen
Einbürgerung
Read the guide→Apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in Bremen
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Read the guide→Get a German driving licence (driving school) in Bremen
Führerschein / Fahrschule
Read the guide→TiG Desk · free iPhone app
The letters that come with your move to Bremen, 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