Your first 30 days in Germany

Employee in Hamburg, moving in on 15 Nov 2026

1. Register your address (Anmeldung)

   Verified

   Anmeldung einer Wohnung

   Due: 29 Nov 2026 (14 days after moving in) · Within two weeks of moving in (§ 17 BMG)

   § 17 Abs. 1 BMG · Source: gesetze-im-internet.de · as of 13 Nov 2026

   Book an appointment (or call 115) (driveport.de) Source: hamburg.de · as of 13 Nov 2026

2. Apply for your residence permit or EU Blue Card at the foreigners' authority

   Verified

   Aufenthaltstitel (Aufenthaltserlaubnis, Blaue Karte EU)

   Only if you are not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen

   Due: no fixed date · Before your entry visa expires; within 90 days of entry if you entered visa-free under § 41 AufenthV (§ 41 Abs. 3 AufenthV)

   § 41 Abs. 3 AufenthV, § 81 Abs. 2 AufenthG · Source: gesetze-im-internet.de · as of 13 Nov 2026

   Apply online (online service "Aufenthaltserlaubnis Hamburg"); the office then sends you an appointment (serviceportal.hamburg.de) Source: welcome.hamburg.de · as of 13 Nov 2026

3. Wait for your tax ID letter (sent automatically after Anmeldung)

   Nationwide

   Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer (IdNr)

   Due: no fixed date · Sent by post after your registration; if nothing arrives within three months of registering, contact the BZSt

   Request your tax ID again (BZSt online form) (bzst.de) Source: bzst.de · as of 13 Nov 2026

4. Register your flat for the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag), unless someone in your flat already pays

   Nationwide

   Rundfunkbeitrag

   Due: no fixed date · Without delay after moving in ("unverzüglich", § 8 RBStV)

   § 8 Abs. 1 RBStV · Source: recht.nrw.de · as of 13 Nov 2026

   Register for the broadcasting fee (online form) (rundfunkbeitrag.de) Source: rundfunkbeitrag.de · as of 13 Nov 2026

5. Convert your foreign driving licence (Umschreibung)

   Verified

   Umschreibung einer ausländischen Fahrerlaubnis

   Only if you hold a driving licence from a non-EU/EEA country

   Due: 15 May 2027 (181 days after moving in) · Your non-EU/EEA licence is valid for six months after you take up residence in Germany (§ 29 Abs. 1 FeV)

   § 29 Abs. 1 Satz 4 und 5 FeV · Source: gesetze-im-internet.de · as of 13 Nov 2026

   Book an appointment (category "Führerschein", then "Umschreibung ausländischer Führerschein ...") (lbv-termine.de) Source: hamburg.de · as of 13 Nov 2026

Not legal advice. Deadlines are counted from the dates you entered using the rules cited on each step. Open each guide for documents and fees.