First Steps

Administrative steps to take on arrival

In Germany, it is mandatory for all German citizens to register at the city where they live and for all international citizens who stay longer than 90 days. This is called “Anmeldung” and needs to be done by appoitment at the Jena registration office here. Follow the "Wohnung an oder abmelden" (first blue bar) then "Anmeldung eine Hauptwohnung" (second blue bar) and choose a date after your arrival.

Since registration is a required step for obtaining certain documents that are necessary to open a bank account in Germany, we recommend that you book an appointment 3 to 4 weeks before your departure to make sure that you can register within the first few days after your arrival in Jena. This will avoid delays, among others, in the payment of your salary.

For your registration, you will need these documents:

passport
Mietvertrag (rental agreement)
Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (lanlord’s confirmation of residence)

Every time you move, no matter if it is in Jena, elsewhere in Germany or outside the country, you have to de-register at the same place "Abmeldung".

Open a bank account

You are free to choose a bank of your choice. Some banks offer free-of-charge salary accounts but opening times, the availability of ATMs and the amount of services included may vary. In addition to banks with branches, they are also banks that operate primarily or exclusively online.

To open an bank account (Girokonto), you will need:

Passport
Visa or residence permit
Meldebestätigung (certificate of registration)

Get a residence permit

Once you arrive in Germany, you must apply for a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) prior to the expiration date of your visa. The procedure for obtaining a residence permit can take more than 3 months, so we recommend you start early.

Please note that you must register with the city before you can apply for your residence permit.

In Jena, the first step is to scan and send your application with the needed documents via e-mail to antrag-abh@jena.de. You can find more information about the application procedure here: Ausländerbehörde Jena.

Please contact us before applying. We will help you to apply for the residence permit that suit your situation.