Hesse · Newcomer guide
Settling in Kassel
Kassel sits in the middle of Germany with fast connections everywhere, and uses the same Hessen state portals as Frankfurt — without Frankfurt's queues or rents. Work through the steps below — each guide lists the exact documents to bring.
When you arrive
Register your address (Anmeldung) in Kassel
Anmeldung
Read the guide→Get your tax ID & tax class in Kassel
Steuer-ID / Finanzamt
Read the guide→Open a bank account in Kassel
Girokonto
Read the guide→Sign up for health insurance in Kassel
Krankenversicherung
Read the guide→Apply for a residence permit in Kassel
Aufenthaltstitel
Read the guide→Find a place to live in Kassel
Wohnungssuche
Read the guide→Get a SIM or phone contract in Kassel
Handyvertrag
Read the guide→Extend your residence permit in Kassel
Aufenthaltstitel verlängern
Read the guide→As you settle in
Exchange your driving licence in Kassel
Führerschein umschreiben
Read the guide→Claim child benefit (Kindergeld) in Kassel
Kindergeld
Read the guide→Get a public transport ticket in Kassel
Deutschlandticket
Read the guide→Register as a freelancer in Kassel
Freiberufler anmelden
Read the guide→File an income-tax return in Kassel
Einkommensteuererklärung
Read the guide→Register a car (Kfz-Zulassung) in Kassel
Kfz-Zulassung
Read the guide→Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) in Kassel
Elterngeld
Read the guide→Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Kassel
Wohngeld
Read the guide→Find a daycare place (Kita) in Kassel
Kita-Platz
Read the guide→Enrol your child in school in Kassel
Schulanmeldung
Read the guide→Apply for German citizenship in Kassel
Einbürgerung
Read the guide→Apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in Kassel
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Read the guide→Get a German driving licence (driving school) in Kassel
Führerschein / Fahrschule
Read the guide→TiG Desk — free iPhone app
The letters that come with your move to Kassel, 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