North Rhine-Westphalia · Newcomer guide
Settling in Cologne
Cologne (Köln) appointments can be slow — check several Bürgerämter across the city for the first free slot. Work through the steps below — each guide lists the exact documents to bring.
Typical monthly cost in Cologne: ~€1.920 (rent + essentials). See the full city guide →
When you arrive
Register your address (Anmeldung) in Cologne
Anmeldung
Read the guide→Get your tax ID & tax class in Cologne
Steuer-ID / Finanzamt
Read the guide→Open a bank account in Cologne
Girokonto
Read the guide→Sign up for health insurance in Cologne
Krankenversicherung
Read the guide→Apply for a residence permit in Cologne
Aufenthaltstitel
Read the guide→Find a place to live in Cologne
Wohnungssuche
Read the guide→Get a SIM or phone contract in Cologne
Handyvertrag
Read the guide→As you settle in
Meet Amtly
Track your move to Cologne in your pocket
The free companion app for German bureaucracy. Get a personal arrival plan, track every Termin with the exact documents to bring, and scan papers into a private on-device vault. Available in English, Deutsch and 中文.
- 🗺️A plan tailored to your persona, city and Bundesland
- 📅Appointment reminders with the right document checklist
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- 💬Ask Amtly + a community of internationals who've done it