Pre Departure Checklist for Germany

Begin preparations at least 4 weeks before departure. Legal documents (apostilles, translations) can take 2-4 weeks to process. Financial setup (blocked account) requires 1-2 weeks. Start visa application 8-12 weeks before planned departure if not yet obtained. Use the timeline view in this checklist to see exactly what to do when - items are organized from 4 weeks out down to first 72 hours in Germany.

Critical items (will prevent entry or cause legal issues): Valid passport (6+ months validity), German visa, Ausbildung contract, blocked account proof (€11,904), German health insurance certificate, Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation for Anmeldung), and cash Euros (€1,000-1,500). Without these, you cannot enter Germany, register with city, or start work legally. Check all "urgent" priority items in the checklist - these are non-negotiable.

Core items are the same for all cities, but practical differences exist: Berlin/Munich have 4-6 week waits for Anmeldung appointments (book immediately upon arrival), smaller cities allow walk-ins. Winter clothing urgency varies - Munich/Hamburg colder than Frankfurt. Housing markets differ - bring more initial cash for expensive cities (Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart €1,500 vs Leipzig, Dresden €1,000). Transport costs vary (€100/month in large cities vs €50 in small towns). Use the AI Survival Guide feature (after completing form) to get city-specific advice.

Additional items needed: Children's school records (apostilled + translated), vaccination records for each child (MMR mandatory in Germany), birth certificates for all family members, family health insurance (covers spouse + children, ~€180/month vs €120 solo), larger accommodation contract, toys/comfort items for kids, school supplies. Budget increases significantly: Rent +€200-400, food +€100-200 per person, initial setup costs +€500-1,000. Book larger accommodation before arrival. Check "Education Documents" category for school-related items. Children must enroll in school within 6 weeks of arrival (assigned by address).

If arriving October-March: Essential immediately. Bring warm jacket, boots, gloves from home. If arriving April-September: Don't pack heavy winter items - buy in Germany during summer sales (July) or winter sales (January) for 50-70% off. German winter: -5°C to 5°C (November-March), but windchill makes it feel colder. Must-haves by November: Waterproof winter jacket (€80-200), insulated boots (€50-100), warm gloves (€10-30), scarf (€10-20), hat (€5-15). Buy at: C&A, H&M, TK Maxx (budget), or Decathlon, Jack Wolfskin (quality). Layers work better than one heavy coat. Don't bring from tropical countries - wastes luggage space and German winter gear is superior.

Hour 1-4: Airport to accommodation - Get cash from ATM if needed, buy SIM card at airport if available (€20-30), take train/bus to accommodation (save cash, €10-15 vs €50-80 taxi). Day 1 Evening: Unpack essentials, test SIM card, message family you arrived safely, locate nearest supermarket (buy basics for next day), set multiple alarms for sleep schedule adjustment. Day 2: Buy proper SIM card if not done (Aldi/Lidl - €10), grocery shopping (€50-100 for week), book Anmeldung appointment online (CRITICAL - some cities have 6-week waits), explore neighborhood, locate work/school address. Day 3: Prepare for first work day, contact employer to confirm start time, organize all documents for Anmeldung, rest and mentally prepare. Use the "First 72 Hours" section of checklist for detailed step-by-step tasks. If weekend arrival, everything shifts by 2 days (Sunday = all stores closed).

Top regrets from past students: (1) Wohnungsgeberbestätigung - Without landlord signature on this form, cannot do Anmeldung, which blocks bank account, residence permit, everything. Get signed IMMEDIATELY upon moving in. (2) Enough passport photos - Need 20-30 total (€8-15 for 6 in Germany vs €0.50 each at home). Needed for residence permit, bank, insurance, student ID, job applications. (3) Cash Euros - Cards don't work everywhere initially, ATM fees €5-10 per withdrawal. Bring €1,000-1,500 cash. (4) Proper winter gear - Underestimating cold leads to misery and unexpected €200-300 expense in first month. (5) Phone unlock - Locked phones cannot use German SIM, forcing expensive international roaming or new phone purchase. (6) Anmeldung appointment booking - Waiting weeks leads to delayed bank account (no salary!), delayed residence permit (legal issues). (7) Health insurance activation - Some forget to give certificate to employer, causing insurance gaps and potential fines.

Yes! Click the "Print Checklist" button at the bottom of the page to generate a printer-friendly PDF version with all your checked items marked. The printed version includes: All 100 items organized by category, timeline view showing what to do when, your checked progress, urgent items highlighted, and space for notes. Recommended: Print before departure and keep in travel folder. Your progress is saved in browser (localStorage), so you can return anytime to update. For digital backup: Screenshot your progress or export to PDF. Pro tip: Print two copies - one for travel documents folder, one to keep at home with family as reference for what you've completed.

Minimum first month budget (tight): €730-1,000. Breakdown: Rent €300-500 (dormitory/shared), Food €150-200 (cooking at home, Aldi/Lidl), Transport €50-80 (monthly ticket), Phone €10 (Aldi Talk prepaid), Personal/misc €100-150, Insurance €120 (before employer contribution). Comfortable budget: €1,200-1,500. Includes: Rent €500-800 (studio/better location), Food €200-250 (occasional eating out), Transport €80-100, Phone €15-20, Entertainment €100, Shopping €100, Buffer €100-200. One-time arrival costs (first week): €500-1,000 for bedding (€50-100), kitchen basics (€50-100), winter clothing if needed (€200-500), deposits/registrations (€100-200). Total recommended cash/available: €2,000-2,500 for first month to cover all expenses until first salary. Cities vary: Munich/Frankfurt +30%, Berlin/Hamburg +20%, Leipzig/Dresden -20% vs average. Use blocked account: Withdraw €992/month (legally allowed) to cover most expenses.

Top emergency scenarios and backup plans: (1) Lost/stolen passport: Have 5 photocopies + cloud scans, embassy contact saved, passport photos ready for emergency passport (2-week process). (2) Missed/delayed flight: Travel insurance (€20-50), emergency fund €500-1,000, employer contact to inform. (3) Accommodation falls through: Have backup hostel researched (€25-40/night), employer contact (may have emergency housing), cash for hotel. (4) Medical emergency: Health insurance card + printout, 112 emergency number saved, hospital locations mapped, English-speaking doctor list (Doctolib app). (5) No Anmeldung appointment available: Try walk-in early morning (7 AM), travel to nearby smaller city Bürgeramt, employer HR can sometimes help. (6) Bank account delayed: Keep using blocked account withdrawals (€992/month allowed), N26 as backup (faster, online), employer may accept alternative payment initially. (7) Language barrier crisis: Google Translate app (offline mode), embassy contact, employer HR, expat community on Facebook. Save all emergency contacts (embassy, employer, hospital, police 112) in phone before departure. Keep €500 emergency cash separate from daily money.