For people moving to Germany, starting with Berlin
Feel at home, from day one.
HomiStart gives you a personal plan for your move: what matters now, what comes next, and trustworthy local guides with official sources — starting with Berlin and Germany.
Free and without ads. You can read every guide without an account.
Your plan
First steps in Berlin
- Phase 1 of 3: Preparing to arrive, complete, 1 of 1 done
- Phase 2 of 3: First week, current phase, 0 of 2 done
- Phase 3 of 3: First month, 0 of 2 done
Find a flat and get the landlord confirmation Before you register Done Register your address (Anmeldung) Within 2 weeks of moving in Official source In progress Choose health insurance Before your first working day Official source Not started Receive your tax ID by post Sent automatically after registration Official source Not started Register for the broadcasting fee After moving in Official source Not started
Why moving feels hard
A new place is a black box
You don't know which step comes first, what is different in your city, or which office can actually help. And you don't know yet what you don't know.
Order of steps
Your address comes first
In Germany, registering your address (Anmeldung) usually comes before much else: your tax ID is then sent to you by post, and many banks and employers ask for one or the other.
City-specific
Childcare is planned months ahead
In Berlin you can apply for a childcare voucher (Kita-Gutschein) up to nine months before the start date, and many families look for a place long before they need it.
One step depends on another
Insurance before the permit
Most residence permits require proof of health insurance, so it usually needs to be sorted before your appointment at the immigration office.
Simplified examples. What applies to you depends on your situation — your plan and our guides explain the details and link the official rules.
How it works
Step 1: Tell us your situation
Where you are going, when you arrive, who is coming with you and whether you will work or study. Only the destination is required.
Step 2: Get a plan in phases
From before you go to your first months: each step with its deadline, the documents it needs and what it depends on.
Step 3: Discover what you didn't know to ask
Your plan brings up steps, risks and opportunities you might have missed, and your city guide helps you find your way around.
What you get
A companion for your first months, and beyond
Clear next steps, information you can check yourself, and a growing feel for the place you now live in.
Your personal plan
The steps that apply to you, in a sensible order — from before you go to settling in. It updates when your situation changes.
Grouped into phases, so you know what matters now and what can wait Deadlines, and which steps depend on which Steps you might not have thought of yet
Guides you can trust
Step-by-step guides written from official sources, with the date each one was last checked.
Your first 30 days in Berlin: a step-by-step planChecked 5 Oct 2026 Official sources Your city and its neighbourhoods
City overviews and neighbourhood profiles with maps, so you understand where things are and where you might like to live.
Explore Berlin neighbourhoodsPractical tools
Small helpers for the tricky parts. None of them asks you to upload your documents.
Saved items and reminders
Keep guides, places and questions for later and add your own notes.
Optional reminders before deadlines and appointments
Trust and freshness
Information you can check for yourself
Rules for registration, taxes, insurance and residence change. That is why every guide shows where the information comes from and when we last checked it.
About our editorial processOfficial sources first
We write from authorities and official portals and link them, so you can verify every step.
Visible check dates
Each guide shows when it was last checked and is flagged when a review is due.
Official facts and our tips, kept apart
We separate what the official sources say from our own practical guidance, and label editorial content as such.
Corrections welcome
Spotted something outdated? Suggest a correction on any guide — we review every one.
No ads, no sponsored rankings
Nobody can pay to appear in our guides, lists or search results.
Privacy first
Profile details are optional and never shown to others. Privacy-friendly usage analytics only run if you agree.
Guidance, not legal advice
We explain the usual process clearly. For decisions about your individual case, the responsible authority or a qualified adviser has the final word.
Where we can help
Germany is our deepest coverage: Berlin first, plus Munich, Hamburg and the rules that apply nationwide. Other destinations start with lighter coverage of the essential first steps.
GermanyIn depthBerlinGermany's capital is a city and a state at once, with about 3.9 million registered residents in 12 districts. The Senate runs citywide offices such as the immigration office, while district offices handle registration, childcare vouchers and housing certificates. Most services start at service.berlin.de or the 115 service number.98 guides Open Photo: Kasa Fue, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab) 
FranceIn depthParisFrance's capital is a single local authority, the Ville de Paris, divided into 20 districts (arrondissements), each with its own town hall. Residence permits for Paris residents are handled by the préfecture de police, health insurance by the CPAM de Paris and housing aid by the Caf de Paris. Rents are capped by rent control.45 guides Open Photo: Yann Caradec from Paris, France, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab) 
NetherlandsIn depthAmsterdamThe capital of the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. The City of Amsterdam registers newcomers and issues the BSN at its City Offices, IN Amsterdam combines registration and IND formalities for eligible internationals, and GVB runs the trams, buses, metro and ferries.43 guides Open Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab) 
AustraliaStarter coverageSydneyAustralia's largest city and the capital of New South Wales. Greater Sydney had 5,231,147 residents at the 2021 census, 56.8% of them born in Australia. Newcomers deal with national services (Home Affairs, ATO, Medicare) online and with NSW rules for renting, Opal transport and driver licences.15 guides Open Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab) 
AustriaStarter coverageViennaAustria's capital and a federal province of its own, with about 2.04 million residents in 23 districts. You register your address at any Meldeservice, MA 35 handles residence permits and EU registration certificates, and Wiener Linien runs the U-Bahn, trams and buses.16 guides Open Photo: Granada, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab) 
CanadaStarter coverageTorontoCanada's largest city and Ontario's capital, with 2,794,356 residents at the 2021 census, nearly half of them born outside Canada. Newcomers deal with federal offices (IRCC, Service Canada, CRA), Ontario (OHIP, ServiceOntario, the Landlord and Tenant Board) and the City (311, TTC, libraries).15 guides Open Photo: Dillan Payne, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab) 
IrelandStarter coverageDublinIreland's capital and largest city. County Dublin had 1,458,154 residents at the 2022 census and is split between four councils. Newcomers deal mostly with national services located here: ISD's Registration Office on Burgh Quay, PPS centres, Revenue and the RTB. Rents are the highest in Ireland.15 guides Open Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab) 
PortugalStarter coverageLisbonPortugal's capital is a municipality of 545,796 residents (2021 census) divided into 24 parishes. Newcomers deal with AIMA for residence permits, the City Council for EU registration certificates, Citizen Shops for tax and Social Security, and the Navegante pass for Metro, Carris and trains.16 guides Open Photo: NorbertNagel, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab) 
SpainStarter coverageBarcelonaCatalonia's capital is a bilingual city of 10 districts and 73 neighbourhoods. Immigration cards are issued by the National Police, the padró and local services by the city council, health care by CatSalut, and rents are capped as a stressed housing market.27 guides Open Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab) 
United StatesStarter coverageNew York CityHome to 8,804,190 people at the 2020 census (43.6% of New York State) and about 3.1 million foreign-born New Yorkers in 2023. Newcomers deal with federal agencies (USCIS, SSA, IRS), New York State (NY State of Health, DMV, taxes) and the City (311, IDNYC, public schools, housing).15 guides Open Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab)
Popular Berlin guides
The essentials most newcomers need first, in the order we recommend reading them.
Arrival Local guide Your first 30 days in Berlin: a step-by-step planA prioritised plan for your first month in Berlin, from housing and address registration to tax ID, bank account, health insurance, residence permit, phone and transport ticket, and why the order matters. Spread over about four weeks; most single steps take one appointment or one online application Arrival Usually a few weeks of preparation for EU citizens; often several months for people who need a national visa Moving Plan several weeks to a few months, because apostilles, legalisation and new civil-status certificates are issued in your home country Moving About one hour at the customs office for the declaration, plus preparation of the inventory and documents Registration Local guide Registering your address in Berlin (Anmeldung)How to register your Berlin home within 14 days of moving in, what to bring to the Bürgeramt, who can register online, what to do if appointments are scarce, and what arrives afterwards, including your tax ID. Usually a short counter visit once you have an appointment, plus time to collect the landlord confirmation and fill in the form Registration A few minutes to fill in the form; a short counter visit or a letter
How is HomiStart different from searching online?
Search works well once you know the question. HomiStart starts from your situation: it puts the steps in a sensible order, shows deadlines and what depends on what, and brings up topics you might not have thought of — with the official sources linked.
Is it free?
Yes. HomiStart is free to use. There are no ads, no paid placements and no sponsored rankings.
Which places do you cover?
Germany in the most depth: Berlin first, plus Munich, Hamburg and guides that apply nationwide. Other destinations have lighter starter coverage of the essential first steps, and we add more over time. Explore shows the current list.
Where does the information come from?
Our guides are written from official sources such as government portals and authorities. Each guide links its sources and shows when it was last checked, and practical tips from our team are labelled as editorial. Guides are reviewed at regular intervals and flagged when a review is due.
Is this legal or tax advice?
No. We explain common processes in plain language and link the official sources, but we cannot assess your individual case. For binding answers, contact the responsible authority or a qualified adviser.
Do I need an account?
No, you can read all guides and community answers without one. A free account lets you create your personal plan, save items, set reminders and ask questions.
What happens with my data?
Profile details such as citizenship or family situation are optional, only used to tailor your plan and never shown to other people. Usage analytics only run with your consent, and you can export or delete your account at any time.
Which languages are available?
The app is available in ten languages, including English, German, Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Ukrainian. Guides are written in English; machine translations are marked, and you can always switch back to the original. Guides keep the German terms you will meet at the authorities.
Start with a plan that fits your move
It takes a few minutes and you can change everything later.