What to Do After Arriving in Germany as an International Student: A Practical First-Week Guide

 

 Arriving in Germany as an international student can be exciting, but the first few weeks can also be confusing.

You need accommodation, a German phone number, Anmeldung, a bank account, health insurance, and possibly a residence permit. The difficult part is knowing what to do first.

I have lived in Germany as an international student for years, and this is the order I personally recommend based on my own experience.

Rather than trying to complete everything at once, take it step by step.

1. Move Into Your Accommodation

If you already found accommodation before arriving in Germany, your first step is simple: move in and get settled.

However, many international students arrive with temporary accommodation and search for a permanent room after arriving.

If this is your situation, don't worry too much. Finding accommodation in Germany can take time, especially in popular student cities, but you can improve your chances by applying consistently.

Where I Recommend Looking for Accommodation

The two platforms I recommend most are:

• WG-Gesucht https://www.wg-gesucht.de/

• ImmobilienScout24 https://www.immobilienscout24.de/

My personal advice is to prepare a good introduction about yourself and send many applications.

When I search for accommodation in Germany, I don't recommend applying to only a few listings and waiting. Suitable rooms can receive many applications, so apply to multiple places and arrange viewings when you receive replies.

Paid memberships can also be worth considering during an intensive apartment search. Depending on the platform and current membership benefits, they may offer advantages such as increased message visibility or earlier access to some listings.

Always check the current membership benefits before paying.

Most importantly, never transfer a deposit simply because someone promises you an apartment. Check the property, contract, landlord, and payment details carefully.

2. Get a German SIM Card

Another thing I recommend doing very early is getting a German phone number.

When you first arrive, a prepaid SIM card is often easier than immediately signing a long-term mobile contract.

Prepaid SIM cards are widely available in German supermarkets and stores.

I personally use ALDI TALK, and I still use it today.

A German phone number and mobile internet make everyday life much easier. You can use them to:

• Navigate with Google Maps

• Contact landlords

• Make appointments

• Receive verification messages

• Register for different services

• Communicate with your university or other organizations

You will need to complete the provider's required identity verification when activating a SIM card, so check the current requirements before purchasing one.

From my experience, getting mobile internet as soon as possible makes the first days in Germany much easier.

3. Complete Your Anmeldung

Once you have found accommodation where address registration is possible, I recommend completing your Anmeldung as soon as you can.

Anmeldung means registering your German address with the local registration authority.

You will normally need a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord or accommodation provider.

After completing the Anmeldung, you receive proof of your registered address. This can be useful or required for various administrative procedures in Germany.

This is why I recommend checking whether Anmeldung is possible before signing an accommodation contract, especially if you are an international student.

The exact procedure, documents, and appointment system can vary by city, so always check your local authority's official website.

4. Open a Bank Account

Once your basic address situation is organized, the next step is your bank account.

Having a German or European bank account makes everyday life much easier.

You may use it for:

• Rent

• Health insurance

• University payments

• Direct debits

• Salary from a student job

• Other monthly expenses

Traditional German banks may require proof of address and additional documents.

Online banks such as N26 and Revolut may have different requirements, which can sometimes make them more convenient for newcomers.

However, account-opening requirements depend on the provider, nationality, residence status, and accepted identification documents.

For this reason, I recommend checking the bank's latest requirements directly before applying rather than assuming that Anmeldung or a particular visa is always required or unnecessary.

5. Arrange Your Health Insurance

Health insurance is another essential part of studying and living in Germany.

Once you have your basic contact, address, and payment information ready, I recommend organizing your insurance as soon as possible.

International students generally encounter two main types of health insurance:

Public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung)
and
Private health insurance (private Krankenversicherung).

Which one you can choose depends on factors such as your age, university status, and individual circumstances.

For public student health insurance, you may need documentation related to your university enrollment or student status.

Private insurance has different eligibility requirements and application procedures depending on the provider.

I personally use private health insurance in Germany, but I recommend comparing the conditions carefully instead of choosing insurance based only on the monthly price.

6. Apply for Your Residence Permit If Required

Depending on your nationality and immigration status, you may need to apply for a German residence permit after arriving.

In many cases, having your registered address and other documents organized will be an important part of the process.

One thing I have learned from living in Germany is that immigration procedures can take a long time.

Therefore, don't wait until the last minute.

Check your local Ausländerbehörde's requirements early, prepare your documents, and submit your application within the applicable deadline.

If you have already applied and have not received a response for a long time, follow up with the responsible authority and keep copies or confirmation of everything you submitted.

Depending on your existing immigration status and when a valid application was submitted, German law may allow your legal stay or existing residence status to continue while the application is being processed.

However, this depends on your individual situation.

Do not assume that simply submitting an application automatically gives everyone an "temporary visa." If your visa or permitted stay is close to expiring, check your situation directly with the responsible Ausländerbehörde.

The Order I Personally Recommend

After living in Germany for years, this is the order I would personally recommend to a newly arrived international student:

Accommodation → SIM Card → Anmeldung → Bank Account → Health Insurance → Residence Permit

Your situation may be slightly different depending on your university, nationality, visa, and accommodation.

But having a simple order makes the first few weeks much less overwhelming.

Extra Tips From My Experience

There are a few things I wish more international students knew before arriving.

First, keep digital copies of your important documents. I recommend saving your passport, visa, Anmeldung, insurance documents, university documents, rental contract, and other important paperwork somewhere secure.

Second, don't expect every administrative process to be fast. Sometimes you simply have to wait.

Third, when apartment hunting, apply actively rather than waiting for the perfect listing.

And finally, don't worry if you cannot finish everything during your first few days.

When you arrive in Germany, even simple things such as buying groceries, understanding transportation, and finding the correct Bürgeramt can feel unfamiliar.

After a few weeks, these things become much easier.

Final Thoughts

Starting your life in Germany involves quite a lot of paperwork, especially as an international student.

But you don't need to solve everything at once.

Start with accommodation and a German phone number. Then organize your Anmeldung, bank account, insurance, and residence documents step by step.

This is the order that makes the most sense to me after actually living and studying in Germany for years.

I hope this practical checklist makes your first few weeks in Germany a little easier.

Important: Administrative, banking, insurance, and immigration requirements can change and may differ depending on your nationality and city. Always check the latest information with the relevant official authority or service provider before applying.