Guide · Living in Germany
Deadlines in Germany: the checklist for expats
German bureaucracy runs on deadlines. Miss one and you may pay a fine, lose time on a waiting list or have to start over. These are the ones expats should know – and how to never miss them.
- Register your address (Anmeldung)within 14 days of moving in
At the Bürgeramt of your new town. Bring your passport or ID card and the landlord's confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). You need the registration for almost everything else – bank account, tax ID, residence permit. Registering late can lead to a fine.
- Residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel)apply before it expires
Appointments at the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) are often weeks away, so start two to three months early. If you apply while your permit is still valid, you usually get a Fiktionsbescheinigung that keeps your status until the decision. If you apply too late, you may not get one.
- Driving licence from outside the EUvalid for about 6 months
After you take up residence in Germany, a non-EU licence is usually only valid for six months. Then you need a German licence – depending on your country with or without tests. Apply in time at the local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde.
- Passport and ID cardrenew months ahead
Many countries require at least six months of validity when you enter. A new passport from your home country's embassy can take weeks or months – note the expiry date early.
- Car inspection (TÜV / HU)every 2 years
The month is on the sticker on your rear number plate: the number at the top is the month, the number in the middle the year. More than two months late can mean a fine and a more expensive inspection.
- Car insurancecancel by 30 November
Most German car insurance policies run until 31 December. To switch to a cheaper one from 1 January, your cancellation must reach the insurer by 30 November.
- Tax returnusually by 31 July of the following year
If you have to file – for example with income from several jobs, tax class 3/5 or freelance work – the deadline is usually 31 July of the following year. With a tax adviser or a wage tax help association (Lohnsteuerhilfeverein) it is later.
Rules can depend on your nationality, your permit and your town. The information from the responsible office always comes first.
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Frequently asked questions
How soon do I have to register my address in Germany?
Within 14 days of moving in (Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt). You need your passport or ID card and a confirmation from your landlord (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). Registering late can lead to a fine.
When should I apply to extend my residence permit?
Before it expires – ideally two to three months early, because appointments at the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) are often scarce. If you apply in time, you usually get a Fiktionsbescheinigung that keeps your status until the decision.
How long can I drive in Germany with a non-EU licence?
Usually for six months after you take up residence in Germany. After that you need a German licence, so apply in time at the local driving licence office (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde).
When is the tax return deadline in Germany?
If you have to file, usually by 31 July of the following year – for 2025 that was 31 July 2026. With a tax adviser or a wage tax help association the deadline is later.
How often does my car need the TÜV inspection?
A new car for the first time after three years, then every two years. The month is on the sticker on your rear number plate. More than two months late can mean a fine.
This guide gives a general overview and is not legal or tax advice. Last updated: October 2026.