Thuringia · Newcomer guide
Settling in Jena
Jena, in Thuringia, is a science city: Zeiss and Schott were founded here, and it has a large university. Work through the steps below — each guide lists the exact documents to bring.
When you arrive
Register your address (Anmeldung) in Jena
Anmeldung
Read the guide→Get your tax ID & tax class in Jena
Steuer-ID / Finanzamt
Read the guide→Open a bank account in Jena
Girokonto
Read the guide→Sign up for health insurance in Jena
Krankenversicherung
Read the guide→Apply for a residence permit in Jena
Aufenthaltstitel
Read the guide→Find a place to live in Jena
Wohnungssuche
Read the guide→Get a SIM or phone contract in Jena
Handyvertrag
Read the guide→Extend your residence permit in Jena
Aufenthaltstitel verlängern
Read the guide→As you settle in
Exchange your driving licence in Jena
Führerschein umschreiben
Read the guide→Claim child benefit (Kindergeld) in Jena
Kindergeld
Read the guide→Get a public transport ticket in Jena
Deutschlandticket
Read the guide→Register as a freelancer in Jena
Freiberufler anmelden
Read the guide→File an income-tax return in Jena
Einkommensteuererklärung
Read the guide→Register a car (Kfz-Zulassung) in Jena
Kfz-Zulassung
Read the guide→Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) in Jena
Elterngeld
Read the guide→Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Jena
Wohngeld
Read the guide→Find a daycare place (Kita) in Jena
Kita-Platz
Read the guide→Enrol your child in school in Jena
Schulanmeldung
Read the guide→Apply for German citizenship in Jena
Einbürgerung
Read the guide→Apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in Jena
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Read the guide→Get a German driving licence (driving school) in Jena
Führerschein / Fahrschule
Read the guide→TiG Desk · free iPhone app
The letters that come with your move to Jena, 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