Brandenburg · Newcomer guide
Settling in Potsdam
Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg just outside Berlin, is a calmer alternative to the capital — but its popularity with Berlin commuters keeps rents high; it uses Brandenburg's state portals. Work through the steps below — each guide lists the exact documents to bring.
Typical monthly cost in Potsdam: ~€1.920 (rent + essentials). See the full city guide →
When you arrive
Register your address (Anmeldung) in Potsdam
Anmeldung
Read the guide→Get your tax ID & tax class in Potsdam
Steuer-ID / Finanzamt
Read the guide→Open a bank account in Potsdam
Girokonto
Read the guide→Sign up for health insurance in Potsdam
Krankenversicherung
Read the guide→Apply for a residence permit in Potsdam
Aufenthaltstitel
Read the guide→Find a place to live in Potsdam
Wohnungssuche
Read the guide→Get a SIM or phone contract in Potsdam
Handyvertrag
Read the guide→Extend your residence permit in Potsdam
Aufenthaltstitel verlängern
Read the guide→As you settle in
Exchange your driving licence in Potsdam
Führerschein umschreiben
Read the guide→Claim child benefit (Kindergeld) in Potsdam
Kindergeld
Read the guide→Get a public transport ticket in Potsdam
Deutschlandticket
Read the guide→Register as a freelancer in Potsdam
Freiberufler anmelden
Read the guide→File an income-tax return in Potsdam
Einkommensteuererklärung
Read the guide→Register a car (Kfz-Zulassung) in Potsdam
Kfz-Zulassung
Read the guide→Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) in Potsdam
Elterngeld
Read the guide→Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Potsdam
Wohngeld
Read the guide→Find a daycare place (Kita) in Potsdam
Kita-Platz
Read the guide→Enrol your child in school in Potsdam
Schulanmeldung
Read the guide→Apply for German citizenship in Potsdam
Einbürgerung
Read the guide→Apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in Potsdam
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Read the guide→Get a German driving licence (driving school) in Potsdam
Führerschein / Fahrschule
Read the guide→TiG Desk — free iPhone app
The letters that come with your move to Potsdam, 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