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→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 Pilot — free browser extension
Doing your move to Cologne online? Let TiG Pilot read the form with you
Open any German authority form and TiG Pilot tells you what each field means in plain English, warns you about the ones that cost money, and fills in the details you saved once — stored only in your browser. Free, and it never submits anything for you.
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