Every guide about studying in Germany ends at the visa stage. You get the APS. You get the admission. You get the visa. Congratulations. And then silence.
Nobody tells you what happens when you step off the plane in Frankfurt or Munich or Berlin with two suitcases and a printout of your university enrollment letter. Nobody tells you about the Bürgeramt queue, the bank account that takes three weeks to open, or the landlord who won't rent to you without a Schufa check you can't get yet.
We're based in Germany. We've helped students through this. Here's what the first 90 days actually look like.
Week 1: Survival Mode
Day 1-2: Arrive. Get to your accommodation. If you don't have permanent housing yet (most students don't), you'll be in a hostel, Airbnb, or temporary university accommodation. Buy a SIM card: Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect, or O2 prepaid are the cheapest options. Download the DB Navigator app for train schedules and the local transport app for your city.
Day 3-5: Get oriented. Find the nearest supermarket (Aldi, Lidl, Rewe, Edeka). Learn how German recycling works. It's taken seriously and your landlord will tell you if you get it wrong. Bring cash. Germany still uses cash more than you'd expect, especially at bakeries, small shops, and some restaurants.
Day 5-7: Start your paperwork. You have a 14-day window to complete your Anmeldung (city registration). Don't miss this deadline.
Week 1-2: Anmeldung (City Registration)
This is your first and most important piece of German bureaucracy. Anmeldung means registering your address with the local Bürgeramt (citizens' office).
Why it matters: You cannot open a bank account, sign up for health insurance, or apply for your residence permit without an Anmeldung confirmation (Meldebescheinigung).
What you need:
- Your passport
- Your rental contract or a landlord confirmation letter (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
- The Anmeldung form (available at the Bürgeramt or downloadable online)
The catch: In large cities (Munich, Berlin, Hamburg), Bürgeramt appointments can be booked out for weeks. Check for available appointments online immediately after arriving, or go in person early in the morning for walk-in slots. Smaller cities (like many in eastern Germany) are usually much faster.
After completing Anmeldung, you receive your Meldebescheinigung. Keep this document safe. You'll need it for everything.
Week 2-3: Bank Account
You need a German bank account to receive your monthly blocked account payout, pay rent, and handle daily expenses.
Options for international students:
- N26: fully online, quick setup, but sometimes rejects non-EU applicants
- DKB: good option, free account, but application is in German
- Sparkasse: local savings bank, branches everywhere, in-person account opening, usually student-friendly
- Your blocked account provider (Expatrio or Fintiba) may offer integrated banking
What you need: Passport, Meldebescheinigung (Anmeldung confirmation), university enrollment letter (if available), and sometimes a student visa.
Expect the process to take 1-3 weeks from application to receiving your bank card.
Week 2-3: Health Insurance
German health insurance is mandatory for university enrollment. You cannot enrol without proof of insurance.
For students under 30: Public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) at the student rate, approximately €110/month in 2026. Providers include TK (Techniker Krankenkasse), AOK, DAK, and Barmer.
For students over 30: You'll likely need private insurance, which can be more expensive. Check requirements early.
Sign up as soon as possible after arriving. Your university will ask for proof of insurance before you can enrol.
Week 3-4: Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis)
Your student visa is valid for 3-6 months. Before it expires, you need to convert it to a residence permit at the local Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' registration office).
What you need:
- Passport with valid student visa
- Meldebescheinigung
- University enrollment confirmation
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of financial means (blocked account confirmation)
- Biometric photos
- Residence permit application form
- Fee: approximately €100
Book this appointment early. In large cities, the Ausländerbehörde is severely backlogged. Appointments can be 4-8 weeks out. Book immediately after Anmeldung.
Month 1-2: University Enrollment
Once you have your Meldebescheinigung, health insurance confirmation, and have paid your Semesterbeitrag (semester contribution, €100-430 depending on the university), you can complete enrollment and receive your student ID and semester ticket (which usually includes free public transport in your city or region).
Month 2-3: Finding Permanent Housing
If you arrived without permanent housing, this is your biggest ongoing challenge. The German rental market, particularly in cities like Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Hamburg, is extremely competitive.
Realities to know:
- Landlords will ask for Schufa (credit check), income proof, and sometimes a Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung (confirmation that you've never owed rent)
- As a newly arrived student, you likely have none of these
- Student housing (Studentenwerk) is the most accessible option: apply early, often before you even arrive
- WG (Wohngemeinschaft, shared flat) is common and more affordable
- WG-Gesucht.de is the main platform for finding shared housing
- Scams exist on housing platforms: never transfer money without viewing the property and meeting the landlord
Smaller cities and towns in eastern Germany (Thuringia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg) have significantly more affordable and available housing than the major western cities.
The Things Nobody Mentions
- Carry your passport and Meldebescheinigung everywhere for the first few months. You may be asked for ID in unexpected situations.
- German offices close early. Most Bürgeramt and Ausländerbehörde offices close at 12:00 or 14:00. Plan accordingly.
- Sundays are closed. Shops, supermarkets, most services. Stock up on Saturday.
- Learn basic German phrases even if your programme is in English. "Ich hätte gerne einen Termin" (I would like an appointment) and "Ich bin Student/Studentin" (I am a student) go a long way.
- The blocked account payout isn't instant. Your first monthly release may take 2-4 weeks to arrive after activation. Bring enough cash or have a transfer arrangement to cover the gap.