A Practical Guide for New Students in Germany: Documents, Work Permission, Tax, Insurance & Working Hours

Moving to Germany as an international student can be confusing at first. There are several documents to arrange, registrations to complete, and rules to understand before starting a job.

This guide brings together the most important things you should know after arriving in Germany, especially if you are planning to work while studying.

1. Wohnungsgeberbestätigung & Anmeldung

Once you find a registered accommodation, your landlord will provide you with a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. This is a one-page document that you need for your Anmeldung.

Keep in mind that the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is not the same as your Mietvertrag (rental contract). Your Mietvertrag may be several pages long, while the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is normally only one page.

After moving in, make sure your name is on your Briefkasten (mailbox). Important letters from government offices, tax authorities, insurance providers, and other organizations will be sent to your registered address.

Anmeldung

Take your Wohnungsgeberbestätigung and passport to your local Bürgeramt to register your address. In most cities, you need to book a Termin (appointment) in advance.

After registration, you will receive your Anmeldebestätigung, which is an important document that you will need for various purposes.

2. Steuer-ID / Tax Identification Number

After completing your Anmeldung, you will receive your Steueridentifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID).

In many cases, it is automatically sent to your registered address by post. Keep this number safely because you will need it for employment and tax-related matters.

3. Krankenversicherung / Health Insurance

Health insurance is one of the most important things to arrange after arriving in Germany.

Take your passport and Anmeldung to your health insurance provider, such as TK (Techniker Krankenkasse), and complete the necessary formalities.

You should keep your:

• Mitgliedsbescheinigung
• Gesundheitskarte / elektronische Gesundheitskarte (eGK)
• Versichertennummer
• Sozialversicherungsnummer

Some of these documents or numbers may arrive later by post.

Your health insurance status can also be relevant when applying for jobs because some employers have specific requirements regarding insurance.

4. Sozialversicherungsnummer

Your Sozialversicherungsnummer is also known as your Rentenversicherungsnummer and is connected to the German pension insurance system.

It may arrive by post after your registration. In some cases, you can also obtain the number through your health insurance provider.

Keep this number safely, as you may need it when starting employment.

5. German Bank Account / IBAN

After completing your Anmeldung, you can open a German bank account with banks such as Commerzbank, Sparkasse, or Deutsche Bank.

A German IBAN normally starts with DE.

Having a German bank account can make it easier to receive your salary and handle regular payments.

6. Führungszeugnis / Certificate of Conduct

After Anmeldung, you can apply for a Führungszeugnis (Certificate of Conduct).

It is not required for every job, but some employers may ask for it. You can choose to obtain it in advance if you expect to need one.

The fee is generally around €13, although fees can change.

7. Gesundheitszeugnis / Health Certificate

If you plan to work in a restaurant, food processing, or another job involving food, you may need a health certificate.

For food-related work, this is generally referred to as the Belehrung nach dem Infektionsschutzgesetz (IfSG).

If you are planning to work in a restaurant, it can be useful to arrange this in advance. Online options are also available.

Residence Permit vs. Visa

Some international students arrive in Germany with a one-year student visa that already contains information about their work permission under §16b in the Zusatzblatt.

Therefore, you may not always need to receive your physical residence permit card immediately after arriving.

However, some employers may not be familiar with the work permission shown on a visa and may ask for separate proof.

In such cases, you may be able to obtain a Bescheinigung confirming your work permission from the Ausländerbehörde and provide it to your employer.

Nevertheless, obtaining your Aufenthaltstitel / Residence Permit Card is generally useful. Having clear documentation of your work permission can make the employment process easier and reduce unnecessary complications.

Tax Class / Steuerklasse

If you are single, you will generally have Steuerklasse 1.

If you have two jobs at the same time, the second job will generally be taxed under Steuerklasse 6.

This is important to understand before starting a second part-time job. Otherwise, you may be surprised by how much tax is deducted from your salary.

Even a short-term or part-time job obtained through platforms such as Jobvalley can count as a second employment.

Therefore, if you already have a job and are planning to start another one, make sure you understand how your Steuerklasse will apply.

Minijob

A Minijob has specific rules regarding income and taxation. The Minijob-Grenze can change over time, so always check the current income limit.

Taxation and tax classes can seem complicated at first. You will understand them better as you gain experience with the German system.

Working Hours for Students

Working-hour rules for international students can be somewhat complicated because they depend on your residence status, type of employment, semester periods, and other circumstances.

For students staying in Germany under §16b AufenthG, the general rule is commonly described as:

• 140 full working days per year, or
• 280 half working days per year

If you consider a full working day as 8 hours and a half day as 4 hours:

140 × 8 = 1,120 hours

280 × 4 = 1,120 hours

Therefore, whether you have one full-time job, multiple part-time jobs, or a part-time job together with a Minijob, you need to keep track of your total permitted work.

Semester Break

During Semesterferien (semester break), students may generally work full-time, subject to the conditions of their residence permit and the applicable annual work limits.

Working-hour rules can become more complicated depending on your employment type and individual situation. Therefore, do not look only at a weekly-hour limit. Make sure you also understand the 140 full days / 280 half days rule applicable to your residence status.

Final Thoughts

Moving to Germany and starting your life as a student can feel overwhelming in the beginning. Getting your Anmeldung, Steuer-ID, health insurance, bank account, social security number, and work-permission documents organized early can make the process much easier.

Keep copies of all important documents and pay attention to letters arriving at your registered address.

Most importantly, always check the current official rules before making decisions about employment, taxation, health insurance, or residence permits, as regulations can change and individual circumstances may differ.