Guides
Practical guides on documents, work, taxes, housing and health in Germany.
5 minInkasso in Germany: how to check a payment demand
What an Inkassoforderung is, when a debt lands in your credit report, and how to use the Verbraucherzentrale's free Inkasso-Check to find out whether you really have to pay.
Banking and moneyUpdated 30 September 2026
3 minAnmeldung in Germany: how to register your address
How the Anmeldung works, which documents you need and how to book an appointment at the Bürgeramt, step by step.
DocumentsUpdated 29 September 20263 minOpening a bank account in Germany: a practical guide
Which bank to choose, which documents you need, how IBAN, SEPA and direct debit work, and how to recognise the most common scams.
Banking and moneyUpdated 29 September 2026
3 minYour first 30 days in Germany: what to do and in what order
A checklist for your first 30 days: before you leave, the first 7 days and the weeks after, with documents, deadlines and mistakes to avoid.
First stepsUpdated 29 September 2026
3 minHealth insurance in Germany: how to choose your Krankenkasse
GKV or PKV, family cover, contributions and how to join the right Krankenkasse when you start working or studying in Germany.
HealthUpdated 29 September 2026
2 minFinding a home in Germany: rent, SCHUFA and the lease
How to search for a flat, what SCHUFA and Selbstauskunft are, how deposits and service charges work, and what to check before you sign.
HousingUpdated 29 September 20263 minSteuer-ID: your German tax number explained properly
What the Steuer-ID is, when it arrives after your Anmeldung, how to request it if it doesn't, and how it differs from the Steuernummer.
DocumentsUpdated 29 September 2026
3 minFiling your German tax return: a basic guide to the Steuererklärung
Who must file, by when, how ELSTER works, what income-deductible expenses and the income tax certificate are, and how to read your assessment notice.
TaxesUpdated 29 September 2026