First 30 Days in Germany for International Students: Checklist

The first 30 days in Germany for international students are not about sightseeing. They are about unlocking the German admin stack in order. This is the arrival checklist most people search after the visa sticker is in the passport.

Before you fly, skim what to pack and confirm temporary housing (student accommodation).

Week 1: land, connect, book Anmeldung

1. Reach your address (dorm, hotel + later WG, or temporary stay). You need a place that can issue a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung for Anmeldung.
2. Get a German SIM (prepaid from airport or city shop: Telekom, Vodafone, O2, or discounters). WhatsApp and university email need reliable data. Prepaid SIMs need passport video ident; compare tariffs in SIM card and payments for students.
3. Book Bürgeramt / Anmeldung online the day you can. Big cities sell out. Full walkthrough: Anmeldung for international students.
4. Carry cash + a card; ATMs work, but fees vary.
5. Do the first shop before Sunday, when almost every store is closed. Which shop sells what: where to buy what in Germany.

Official overview of living basics: Make it in Germany living and Study in Germany.

Week 2: register, bank, insurance

1. Complete Anmeldung with passport, visa, Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, and completed form. Keep the Meldebescheinigung PDF/photo forever.
2. Open a German bank account (N26, Sparkasse, Consorsbank, etc.). Many need Anmeldung for full features. Step-by-step: Girokonto after Anmeldung.
3. Activate student health insurance with a public insurer if you are in the standard student path. Compare TK vs AOK and the hub health insurance for students. Then pick a GP: Hausarzt for international students.
4. Note your Steuer-ID: it usually arrives by post after Anmeldung. Do not ignore the yellow/white tax letter. How to get it and when to file: Steuer-ID after Anmeldung.

Week 3: university and money flow

1. Finish Immatrikulation if not done (Zulassung vs Immatrikulation): semester contribution, insurance certificate, documents. Orientation week is not enrolment. The two calendars are in winter semester start.
2. Collect student ID and understand your Semesterticket / Deutschlandticket rules for local travel (semester ticket guide).
3. Unlock Sperrkonto monthly payouts with enrolment proof (blocked account guide).
4. Set a simple budget with the cost of living tool.

Week 4: residence permit and steady state

1. Book Ausländerbehörde for the student residence permit. Documents and order: residence permit after arrival.
2. Confirm rent standing order, broadcast fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) when applicable, and home internet if you stay long-term.
3. If you will work, learn hour limits before your first shift (working while studying).
4. Start academic habits early (German academic culture vs India).

One-page order (pin this)

Anmeldung → insurance confirmation → enrolment certificate → bank + Sperrkonto unlock → Ausländerbehörde appointment → Steuer-ID letter filed.

Skip the order and every office will send you to another office.

Bottom line

Treat the first month as a project with deadlines. Book Anmeldung and Ausländerbehörde early, keep every PDF, and do not let SIM or banking delay registration. Once Meldebescheinigung, insurance, and enrolment exist, Germany becomes usable.

Related: Anmeldung · Residence permit after arrival · TK vs AOK · Hausarzt · Rundfunkbeitrag · Steuer-ID