Hesse · Newcomer guide
Settling in Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main is in Hesse. Its Bürgerämter take visitors without an appointment on Mondays and Wednesdays; on other days you need a booked slot. Work through the steps below — each guide lists the exact documents to bring.
Example monthly budget in Frankfurt: €1,784 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 Frankfurt
Anmeldung
Read the guide→Get your tax ID & tax class in Frankfurt
Steuer-ID / Finanzamt
Read the guide→Open a bank account in Frankfurt
Girokonto
Read the guide→Sign up for health insurance in Frankfurt
Krankenversicherung
Read the guide→Apply for a residence permit in Frankfurt
Aufenthaltstitel
Read the guide→Find a place to live in Frankfurt
Wohnungssuche
Read the guide→Get a SIM or phone contract in Frankfurt
Handyvertrag
Read the guide→Extend your residence permit in Frankfurt
Aufenthaltstitel verlängern
Read the guide→As you settle in
Exchange your driving licence in Frankfurt
Führerschein umschreiben
Read the guide→Claim child benefit (Kindergeld) in Frankfurt
Kindergeld
Read the guide→Get a public transport ticket in Frankfurt
Deutschlandticket
Read the guide→Register as a freelancer in Frankfurt
Freiberufler anmelden
Read the guide→File an income-tax return in Frankfurt
Einkommensteuererklärung
Read the guide→Register a car (Kfz-Zulassung) in Frankfurt
Kfz-Zulassung
Read the guide→Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) in Frankfurt
Elterngeld
Read the guide→Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Frankfurt
Wohngeld
Read the guide→Find a daycare place (Kita) in Frankfurt
Kita-Platz
Read the guide→Enrol your child in school in Frankfurt
Schulanmeldung
Read the guide→Apply for German citizenship in Frankfurt
Einbürgerung
Read the guide→Apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in Frankfurt
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Read the guide→Get a German driving licence (driving school) in Frankfurt
Führerschein / Fahrschule
Read the guide→TiG Desk · free iPhone app
The letters that come with your move to Frankfurt, 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