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