Registration

As soon as you have a fixed address in Germany, you are obliged to register yourself within two weeks at the local Residents' Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt). Here you receive a copy of your registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung). At the resident's registration office, you also get your income tax card.

Next you have to go to the Aliens' Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde) to apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltsgenehmigung). This involves presenting the authorities the registration copy mentioned above and filling in an additional application form which is available at information booths or in the waiting areas at the foreign registration office. Finally, you have to hand in:

• the copy of your registration certificate
• the application form
• your passport
• "biometric" passport photograph
• proof of health insurance
• in case of employment: contract
• in case of studies: proof of admission/inscription and scholarship
• money to pay the administrative fee (up to €50)