Baden-Württemberg · Newcomer guide
Settling in Karlsruhe
Karlsruhe is a research and tech hub (home to KIT); it's well-organised and, like the rest of Baden-Württemberg, uses several state portals for online services. Work through the steps below — each guide lists the exact documents to bring.
Typical monthly cost in Karlsruhe: ~€1.750 (rent + essentials). See the full city guide →
When you arrive
Register your address (Anmeldung) in Karlsruhe
Anmeldung
Read the guide→Get your tax ID & tax class in Karlsruhe
Steuer-ID / Finanzamt
Read the guide→Open a bank account in Karlsruhe
Girokonto
Read the guide→Sign up for health insurance in Karlsruhe
Krankenversicherung
Read the guide→Apply for a residence permit in Karlsruhe
Aufenthaltstitel
Read the guide→Find a place to live in Karlsruhe
Wohnungssuche
Read the guide→Get a SIM or phone contract in Karlsruhe
Handyvertrag
Read the guide→Extend your residence permit in Karlsruhe
Aufenthaltstitel verlängern
Read the guide→As you settle in
Exchange your driving licence in Karlsruhe
Führerschein umschreiben
Read the guide→Claim child benefit (Kindergeld) in Karlsruhe
Kindergeld
Read the guide→Get a public transport ticket in Karlsruhe
Deutschlandticket
Read the guide→Register as a freelancer in Karlsruhe
Freiberufler anmelden
Read the guide→File an income-tax return in Karlsruhe
Einkommensteuererklärung
Read the guide→Register a car (Kfz-Zulassung) in Karlsruhe
Kfz-Zulassung
Read the guide→Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) in Karlsruhe
Elterngeld
Read the guide→Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Karlsruhe
Wohngeld
Read the guide→Find a daycare place (Kita) in Karlsruhe
Kita-Platz
Read the guide→Enrol your child in school in Karlsruhe
Schulanmeldung
Read the guide→Apply for German citizenship in Karlsruhe
Einbürgerung
Read the guide→Apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in Karlsruhe
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Read the guide→Get a German driving licence (driving school) in Karlsruhe
Führerschein / Fahrschule
Read the guide→Meet Amtly
🚧 Coming soonTrack your move to Karlsruhe in your pocket
The free companion app for German bureaucracy. Get a personal arrival plan, track every Termin with the exact documents to bring, and scan papers into a private on-device vault. Available in English, Deutsch and 中文.
- 🗺️A plan tailored to your persona, city and Bundesland
- 📅Appointment reminders with the right document checklist
- 🔒On-device document vault — optional end-to-end encrypted backup only you can unlock
- 💬Ask Amtly + a community of internationals who've done it