Moving across Europe
Relocation checklist: every registration and deadline for your move
Moving to Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy or the UK? Pick your destination and arrival date, and get the registrations, insurances and ID numbers as a personalized timeline — with the legal deadlines on real dates, ready to export to your calendar.
Moving to
This first version covers EU/EEA citizens starting a job. Non-EU and freelancer paths are on the way.
- 6 Aug 2026before the move
Secure housing and the landlord certificate
You need a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation) to register your address — ask for it when you sign the lease.
Official source → - 20 Aug 2026legal deadline
Choose health insurance from day one
Statutory health insurance (Krankenkasse) must cover you from your first working day — your employer needs the membership confirmation.
Official source → - 3 Sept 2026legal deadline
Register your address (Anmeldung)
Mandatory within 14 days of moving in, at the local Bürgeramt. Bring ID and the landlord certificate. Almost everything else depends on this.
Official source → - 19 Sept 2026
Open a bank account
Most banks ask for the Anmeldung certificate. You need a SEPA account for salary and rent.
Official source → - 1 Oct 2026happens automatically
Tax ID arrives by post
Your steuerliche Identifikationsnummer is sent automatically after Anmeldung (typically 2–6 weeks). Give it to your employer or you'll be emergency-taxed.
Official source → - 18 Nov 2026
Broadcast fee (Rundfunkbeitrag)
One fee per household, €18.36/month. They write to you after Anmeldung — register or link to an existing household payer.
Official source →
Relocation FAQ
- What should I do first when I move?
- Almost everywhere, address or municipal registration comes first — in Germany the Anmeldung, in the Netherlands the BSN registration, in Spain the NIE and padrón, in Italy the codice fiscale. Tax numbers, payroll, banking and healthcare all hang off that first step.
- What happens if I miss a deadline?
- It depends on the country: Dutch health insurance is backdated with fines after 4 months, German registration past 14 days can carry a fine, and missing the Dutch 30%-ruling window costs real money permanently. The timeline flags the hard legal deadlines in amber.
- Does this cover non-EU citizens or freelancers?
- Not yet — this first version covers EU/EEA citizens starting employment, the most common case. Non-EU visa paths and freelancer registrations are planned next.
- Is this legal advice?
- No — it's a practical, sequenced overview with links to the official source for every step. Rules change and vary by municipality; always confirm details on the linked official pages.