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Documents and authorities in Germany: preparing your requests
First work out what action is required and who handles the request. Then gather the documents for that specific request and prepare your questions. Organisational help with documents and a legal assessment are different tasks; disputed issues need an authorised professional.
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All articles in this topic
Full blog- Documents3 min
Anmeldung in Germany: how to prepare for registering your address
Finding the local requirements, checking your documents and confirming the next step.
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Wohnungsgeberbestätigung: what to check in the landlord's confirmation of move-in
Details about the flat, the residents and the date for your registration office.
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A letter from a German authority: how to identify what you need to do
Sender, request, deadline and attachments – four anchors for working through a letter.
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How to prepare a clear reply to a German authority
The structure of your letter, numbered attachments and keeping proof of sending.
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A deadline in a letter from an authority: how to plan your reply
A working calendar, missing documents and asking questions in good time.
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Booking an appointment: how not to confuse the service and the office
Checking the appointment category, the address, who attends and the list of documents.
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Preparing for an appointment at an authority: your folder and list of questions
How to organise your documents and get clarity on the next steps.
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Translating documents for Germany: what to check before you order
The recipient's requirements, the full set of pages, the spelling of names and the format of the result.
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Original, copy and translation: how not to mix up their purposes
A matrix of documents for different applications and checking the required form of submission.
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Getting your qualifications recognised in Germany: what to find out first
Your target occupation, the right procedure and finding the responsible authority.
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An authority's online form: how to check your details before submitting
Drafts, attachments, identification and keeping proof of submission.
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The authority has asked for more documents: what to do
Working through the request, checking what you already sent and preparing a precise reply.
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Your personal document archive after moving: a simple structure
Folders by procedure, version control and limited access.
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Different spellings of your name in documents: how to prepare your question
A table of discrepancies and checking the requirements without altering documents yourself.
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Your first meeting with a lawyer: what documents to gather
A timeline, the purpose of the meeting and questions that make for a focused discussion.
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Organisational support and a lawyer: who is responsible for what
How to separate preparing documents, communication and legal work.
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A log of your correspondence with an authority: how not to lose track
A single list of incoming, outgoing and expected actions.
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Changing your address: how to make a list of who to notify
Organisations, contracts and confirmations that your contact details have been updated.
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How to check the status of your application without applying again
A short enquiry with the date, reference number and a specific question.
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What to write in your first request for help with documents
How to describe the issue without sending your entire personal archive straight away.
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Registering your address (Anmeldung) step by step: the Bürgeramt appointment, the form and the confirmation
Your first administrative step in Germany: the two-week deadline under Section 17 BMG, the registration form and the registration certificate.
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Steuer-ID, Steuernummer and USt-IdNr: the differences, where to get them and where to use them
Germany's three main tax numbers: the lifelong personal ID, the tax number at your tax office and the EU VAT ID.
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Tax classes in Germany (Steuerklasse 1–6): net salary and the choice for married couples
How tax classes work: 3/5 versus 4/4 with a factor, rules for single people and class 6 when details are missing.
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Public (GKV) or private (PKV) health insurance: income threshold, contributions, family and switching back
Comparing Germany's two health insurance systems: the income threshold, free family cover and rising premiums in old age.
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Which health insurance fund to choose: Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Barmer and AOK compared
Choosing a Krankenkasse in Germany: additional contributions, English-language service, bonus programmes and benefits such as vaccinations.
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Child benefit (Kindergeld): who is entitled, how much it is and how to apply through the Familienkasse
State support for families in Germany: €259 per child per month (2026), age limits and applying online.
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Parental allowance (Elterngeld and ElterngeldPlus): amount, duration and how to apply
Germany's parental allowance: 65% of net income (up to €1,800), dividing the months between parents and the ElterngeldPlus rules.
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Opening a bank account in Germany (Girokonto): traditional banks vs. fintechs (N26, Revolut, DKB)
Choosing a current account for everyday life: identity checks, address requirements, free debit cards and ATM fees.
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A letter from the tax office (Finanzamt): understanding what it wants, deadlines and late-filing penalties
Making sense of tax correspondence: tax assessments (Steuerbescheid), the one-month objection period and late-filing surcharges.
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Registering with ELSTER: ordering a certificate, activating it and filing online
How to set up your secure tax account: the .pfx certificate file, the activation code by post and submitting forms.
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Tax returns for employees in Germany: what you can get back and which receipts to keep
How to get back over €1,000 on average: the work expenses allowance, commuting costs, the home office allowance and donations.
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Doing your own tax return: Taxfix, WISO Steuer and SteuerGo compared
Comparing tax software: a simple questionnaire, ELSTER integration, tips on deductions and prices.
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Certified translations and apostilles: when you need them and how to have copies certified
How foreign documents are accepted by German authorities: the apostille, sworn translators and certified copies.
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How to get a nursery place: the Kita-Gutschein, waiting lists and talking to the nursery
Finding a place at a German nursery (Kita): the voucher system, the Berlin settling-in model and the shortage of places.
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Legal expenses insurance (Rechtsschutzversicherung): protection in employment, housing and traffic disputes
How legal expenses insurance works in Germany: waiting periods, cover for legal costs and choosing modules.
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Your German pension: reading the Renteninformation and getting contributions refunded when you leave
Germany's state pension: pension points, the five-year minimum insurance period and refunds for non-EU nationals.
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Occupational disability insurance (Berufsunfähigkeit, BU): why you need it and how not to overpay
Protecting your earned income against serious illness or burnout: the 50% criterion and the health questionnaire.
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German language certificates compared: Goethe-Zertifikat, telc, TestDaF and DSH
Which language exam to choose: Goethe-Institut and telc for visas and citizenship, TestDaF and DSH for university.
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Marrying in Denmark and living in Germany: documents, procedure and recognition
An alternative to the German registry office: marrying in Denmark with minimal bureaucracy, documents without an apostille under EU rules and recognition in Germany.
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How to order a certificate of good conduct (Führungszeugnis) online with your eID or in person
Ordering an official criminal record certificate: the standard and extended certificate, the Federal Office of Justice portal and visits to the Bürgeramt.
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The German school system: Grundschule, Gymnasium, Realschule and choosing a path
How German schools are structured: four years of primary school, the Abitur for university, vocational orientation and moving between school types.
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Unemployment benefits in Germany: Arbeitslosengeld I and Bürgergeld
Social protection in Germany: unemployment benefit of 60–67% of net pay (Arbeitslosengeld I), notification deadlines and basic income support (Bürgergeld).
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Your social security number (Sozialversicherungsnummer): where to find it and how to get a replacement
Your pension insurance number: how it is structured and how it is issued automatically through your health insurance fund and employer.
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A business account for the self-employed: can you use a personal account, and which business accounts to consider
Bank accounts for freelancers and traders: bank terms and conditions, keeping finances separate and providers such as Finom, Qonto and Kontist.
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Verifying your identity with Postident and Video-Ident: passing the check with your passport
Identity verification under the Money Laundering Act (GwG): a video chat on your smartphone, a visit to the post office and chip-enabled documents.
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