Baden-Württemberg · Newcomer guide
Settling in Heidelberg
Heidelberg's world-famous university and research institutes make it very international, but its small size and popularity mean housing is scarce and pricey; it runs on the Baden-Württemberg state portals. Work through the steps below — each guide lists the exact documents to bring.
Typical monthly cost in Heidelberg: ~€1.930 (rent + essentials). See the full city guide →
When you arrive
Register your address (Anmeldung) in Heidelberg
Anmeldung
Read the guide→Get your tax ID & tax class in Heidelberg
Steuer-ID / Finanzamt
Read the guide→Open a bank account in Heidelberg
Girokonto
Read the guide→Sign up for health insurance in Heidelberg
Krankenversicherung
Read the guide→Apply for a residence permit in Heidelberg
Aufenthaltstitel
Read the guide→Find a place to live in Heidelberg
Wohnungssuche
Read the guide→Get a SIM or phone contract in Heidelberg
Handyvertrag
Read the guide→Extend your residence permit in Heidelberg
Aufenthaltstitel verlängern
Read the guide→As you settle in
Exchange your driving licence in Heidelberg
Führerschein umschreiben
Read the guide→Claim child benefit (Kindergeld) in Heidelberg
Kindergeld
Read the guide→Get a public transport ticket in Heidelberg
Deutschlandticket
Read the guide→Register as a freelancer in Heidelberg
Freiberufler anmelden
Read the guide→File an income-tax return in Heidelberg
Einkommensteuererklärung
Read the guide→Register a car (Kfz-Zulassung) in Heidelberg
Kfz-Zulassung
Read the guide→Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) in Heidelberg
Elterngeld
Read the guide→Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Heidelberg
Wohngeld
Read the guide→Find a daycare place (Kita) in Heidelberg
Kita-Platz
Read the guide→Enrol your child in school in Heidelberg
Schulanmeldung
Read the guide→Apply for German citizenship in Heidelberg
Einbürgerung
Read the guide→Apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in Heidelberg
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Read the guide→Get a German driving licence (driving school) in Heidelberg
Führerschein / Fahrschule
Read the guide→TiG Desk — free iPhone app
The letters that come with your move to Heidelberg, read for you
Photograph an official letter and TiG Desk tells you who sent it, what you have to do and by when — then keeps the document on your phone and reminds you before the deadline. Free, and it works without an account.
Filling the form on a computer? TiG Pilot explains every German field while you fill it, in your browser.
- 📷Photograph a letter — sender, deadline and what to do
- 🗂️Every document in one place, kept on your phone
- ⏰Reminders before a Frist, not after it
- 🇩🇪German terms shown alongside, because that is what the clerk says