North Rhine-Westphalia · Newcomer guide
Settling in Cologne
Cologne is North Rhine-Westphalia's largest city. You can book the Anmeldung at any of its ten customer centres, so take whichever has the earliest slot. Work through the steps below — each guide lists the exact documents to bring.
Example monthly budget in Cologne: €1,696 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 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→Extend your residence permit in Cologne
Aufenthaltstitel verlängern
Read the guide→As you settle in
Exchange your driving licence in Cologne
Führerschein umschreiben
Read the guide→Claim child benefit (Kindergeld) in Cologne
Kindergeld
Read the guide→Get a public transport ticket in Cologne
Deutschlandticket
Read the guide→Register as a freelancer in Cologne
Freiberufler anmelden
Read the guide→File an income-tax return in Cologne
Einkommensteuererklärung
Read the guide→Register a car (Kfz-Zulassung) in Cologne
Kfz-Zulassung
Read the guide→Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) in Cologne
Elterngeld
Read the guide→Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Cologne
Wohngeld
Read the guide→Find a daycare place (Kita) in Cologne
Kita-Platz
Read the guide→Enrol your child in school in Cologne
Schulanmeldung
Read the guide→Apply for German citizenship in Cologne
Einbürgerung
Read the guide→Apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in Cologne
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Read the guide→Get a German driving licence (driving school) in Cologne
Führerschein / Fahrschule
Read the guide→TiG Desk · free iPhone app
The letters that come with your move to Cologne, 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