Mecklenburg-Vorpommern · Newcomer guide
Settling in Rostock
Rostock is the largest city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and its university draws a big international intake; the state's own portals handle most online services, and rents are well below the western metros. 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
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