Your First Week in Germany: Checklist for Nigerians (Anmeldung, Bank, SIM)

This first week in Germany checklist is built for Nigerian students who have just landed and want to get everything right from day one. The first seven to fourteen days decide how smooth your whole year will be.

Germany runs on paperwork and order, and almost everything you need, from a bank account to your residence permit, depends on one first step. Miss the order, and you get stuck. Follow it, and you settle in fast.

This guide walks you through every task in the right sequence, with the documents you need, the deadlines that matter, and the mistakes that trip up new arrivals. Save it and tick each item off as you go.

Why Your First Week in Germany Matters So Much

Germany works like a chain. Each task unlocks the next, and if you skip a link, everything after it stalls.

The first link is your address registration, called the Anmeldung. Without it you cannot easily open a bank account, and without a bank account your rent and daily life get harder.

Doing your first week in the right order saves you weeks of frustration. It also protects your legal status, because your residence permit appointment depends on being registered and enrolled.

Your First Week in Germany Checklist at a Glance

Here is the full sequence. The rest of this guide explains each step in detail.

Step 1: Register Your Address (Anmeldung)

The Anmeldung is the single most important task in your first week in Germany. You must register your home address within 14 days of moving in.

You do this at the local residents office, called the Burgeramt or Einwohnermeldeamt. Many cities require an appointment, so book online the moment you have your address, because slots fill fast in student cities.

Bring three things: your passport, your rental contract (Mietvertrag), and the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestatigung) that your landlord signs to prove you live there.

At the office you hand over the documents, answer a few simple questions, and receive your registration certificate, the Anmeldebestatigung, on the spot. Make several copies, because you will be asked for it again and again.

A bonus follows automatically. Your tax identification number is issued after your Anmeldung and arrives by post within two to four weeks.

Step 2: Open a German Bank Account

You need a German bank account for your rent, your phone contract, and your blocked account payouts. Most banks ask for your Anmeldebestatigung first.

Students have several free options. Here is how the popular ones compare in 2026.

Most students have their account open and card in hand within five to ten working days. Choose one bank and stick with it to keep your paperwork simple.

Step 3: Activate Your Blocked Account

Your blocked account, or Sperrkonto, holds the living money you proved for your visa. In 2026 that is 11,904 euros for the year, released to you at about 992 euros per month.

Once you arrive, log in to your provider and complete the activation so the monthly payouts start. This usually needs your German bank account details and your local address.

If you need a refresher on how the blocked account works, see our guide to the blocked account for Nigerian students.

Step 4: Sort Your Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany from your first day, with no exceptions. You cannot enrol at your university without proof of cover.

Most students choose public health insurance from providers like TK, AOK, Barmer, or DAK. It costs roughly 110 to 130 euros per month for students under 30.

Sign up online, and the insurer sends your university a digital confirmation of cover. Keep your membership certificate safe, because you will need it for enrolment.

Step 5: Get a German SIM Card

A German number makes daily life far easier, from bank verification to booking appointments. You can buy a prepaid SIM in your first few days.

SIM cards are sold at mobile shops, electronics stores, and supermarkets. You must show your passport to register the SIM, which is a legal requirement.

Budget-friendly prepaid options include Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect, Lebara, and Lycamobile. For faster data, the main networks are Telekom, Vodafone, and O2. Start with prepaid, then switch to a contract once your bank account is active.

Step 6: Enrol at Your University (Immatrikulation)

Enrolment, called Immatrikulation, makes you an official student and unlocks your student card, library access, and often a semester transport ticket.

You usually need your admission letter, your passport, your visa, proof of health insurance, and confirmation that you paid the semester contribution.

Do this before your university deadline. Once enrolled, you receive your student certificate, which you will need for your residence permit.

Step 7: Book Your Residence Permit Appointment

Your student visa lets you enter Germany, but you must convert it into a residence permit at the foreigners office, the Auslanderbehorde, before it expires.

Appointments in big cities can be booked out for weeks, so request yours as early as possible, even in your first few days.

You will need your Anmeldebestatigung, your enrolment certificate, your blocked account proof, your health insurance, and biometric photos. Bring everything, because a missing document means a new appointment.

Common Mistakes in Your First Week

The first mistake is missing the Anmeldung deadline. Register within 14 days, because everything else waits on it.

The second mistake is not booking appointments early. The Burgeramt and the Auslanderbehorde fill up fast, so book the moment you can.

The third mistake is losing your Anmeldebestatigung. Make several copies and keep a scan on your phone.

The fourth mistake is delaying health insurance. Without it you cannot enrol, so sort it in your first days.

The fifth mistake is skipping the language. Even basic German makes every office visit smoother, which is why we recommend starting early with our guide on how to learn German in Nigeria.

A Real Example: Emeka’s First Week in Frankfurt

Emeka landed in Frankfurt on a Sunday to start a master’s programme. On Monday he booked his Anmeldung appointment online for the same week.

He registered on Wednesday with his passport, rental contract, and landlord confirmation, and walked out with his Anmeldebestatigung. That afternoon he opened an N26 account and activated his blocked account.

By Friday he had signed up for public health insurance and bought an Aldi Talk SIM. The next week he enrolled at his university and booked his residence permit appointment for the following month.

His lesson was simple. Doing the Anmeldung first, and booking appointments early, made the whole week fall into place without stress.

Your Printable First Week in Germany Checklist

Tick each item off as you complete it.

• Book and complete your Anmeldung within 14 days
• Collect several copies of your Anmeldebestatigung
• Open a German bank account
• Activate your blocked account for monthly payouts
• Sign up for public health insurance
• Buy and register a German SIM card
• Enrol at your university before the deadline
• Book your residence permit appointment early
• Save digital scans of every document
• Note your tax ID when it arrives by post

For the full journey before you even arrive, see our pillar guide on how to move to Europe from Nigeria, and budget with our guide to the cost of studying in Germany from Nigeria.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon must I do the Anmeldung in Germany?

You must register your address within 14 days of moving in. Book your appointment as early as possible, because slots in student cities fill up quickly.

What documents do I need for the Anmeldung?

Bring your passport, your rental contract, and the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestatigung) signed by your landlord.

Can I open a bank account without the Anmeldung?

Most banks require your Anmeldebestatigung first, but online banks like N26 can often open an account without it, which is why many new arrivals start there.

How much does student health insurance cost?

Public health insurance costs roughly 110 to 130 euros per month for students under 30, and it is mandatory from your first day.

Do I need health insurance before I enrol?

Yes. You cannot complete your university enrolment without proof of valid health insurance.

When do I get my tax ID?

Your tax identification number is issued automatically after your Anmeldung and arrives by post within two to four weeks.

How do I activate my blocked account?

Log in to your provider after you arrive, add your German bank details and local address, and complete activation so your monthly payouts begin.

Where can I buy a SIM card?

Prepaid SIM cards are sold at mobile shops, electronics stores, and supermarkets. You must show your passport to register the SIM.

What is the difference between a visa and a residence permit?

Your student visa lets you enter Germany. The residence permit, issued by the Auslanderbehorde, lets you stay for your studies, so you must convert one into the other before the visa expires.

How early should I book my residence permit appointment?

As early as possible, even in your first week, because appointments in large cities can be booked out for several weeks.

Do I need German for these first steps?

Some offices operate mainly in German, so basic German helps a lot. Bring a German-speaking friend if you can, or prepare key phrases in advance.

What happens if I miss the Anmeldung deadline?

You can still register late, but you may face questions or a small fine, and every task that depends on the Anmeldung will be delayed. Register on time to avoid problems.

Final Word on Your First Week in Germany

Your first week in Germany checklist really comes down to one rule: do the Anmeldung first, then let each step unlock the next. Register your address, open your bank account, sort your insurance, get your SIM, enrol, and book your residence permit.

Do it in that order and your first week sets you up for a calm, confident year. For official guidance on settling in, see the government portal Make it in Germany.

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What to Sort Before You Leave Nigeria

A smooth first week in Germany starts with good preparation at home. The more you arrange in Nigeria, the less you scramble after you land.

Get certified copies and translations of your key documents, including your admission letter, WAEC and NECO results, and your passport pages. Carry both printed and digital copies.

Set up your blocked account before travel, since the confirmation is a core visa document and it makes your first days easier. Our guide to the blocked account for Nigerian students explains the steps.

Try to arrange at least your first accommodation before you fly, even if it is a short student hostel or a temporary room. You cannot do the Anmeldung without an address.

Finally, learn some basic German. Even simple phrases make every office visit smoother, so start early with our guide on how to learn German in Nigeria.

Money You Will Spend in Your First Weeks

Beyond the blocked account, your first weeks bring real one-off costs. Planning for them stops a nasty surprise.

Your biggest early cost is usually your rent deposit, which can be two to three months of rent held as security. On top of that you pay your first month of rent up front.

Keep a buffer of about 1,000 euros for these first-week costs, separate from your blocked account. It saves stress while your monthly payout settles in. For a full budget, see our guide to the cost of studying in Germany from Nigeria.

How Long Until You Feel Settled

Most students feel settled within three to four weeks. The first week is admin, the second is enrolment and your residence permit appointment, and by the third you start to find your routine.

Be patient with yourself. German bureaucracy is slow but fair, and once your paperwork is done, it rarely troubles you again. Every task you tick off makes the next one easier.

Your First Week in Germany Day by Day

Here is a realistic way to spread the tasks across your first days so nothing piles up. Adjust it to your arrival day and appointment slots.

Day one and two: rest, get local cash, buy a prepaid SIM card, and learn your route to the nearest Burgeramt and your university. Book your Anmeldung appointment online the moment you can.

Day three and four: attend your Anmeldung appointment with your passport, rental contract, and landlord confirmation. Collect several copies of your Anmeldebestatigung, then open your bank account.

Day five: activate your blocked account with your new German bank details, and sign up for public health insurance so your enrolment can go ahead.

Day six and seven: complete your university enrolment, collect your student card, and book your residence permit appointment at the Auslanderbehorde for the coming weeks.

By the end of the week you will have your address registered, your money accessible, your insurance active, and your student status confirmed. That is the foundation for a calm first semester.

Tips to Make Your First Week Easier

A few small habits save a lot of stress. Keep every document in one folder, both printed and scanned to your phone, so you can produce anything an office asks for.

Always book appointments online rather than walking in, because most offices in student cities only serve booked visitors. Arrive early and bring a pen.

Ask your university international office for help. They deal with new arrivals every year and often have guides, buddy programmes, and staff who speak English.

Finally, be friendly and patient at every counter. German offices reward calm, prepared, and polite people, and a small greeting in German goes a long way.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

Even with good planning, small problems happen in your first week. The key is to stay calm and know where to turn.

If you cannot get an Anmeldung appointment in time, check nearby districts, look for early morning slots that open daily, and ask your university international office for help. Registering a few days late is usually fine if you tried in good faith.

If a bank rejects your application, try an online bank like N26, which often works before your Anmeldung is complete. If your blocked account payout is delayed, contact your provider directly with your German bank details.

If you feel overwhelmed by the language, bring a German-speaking friend to important appointments, or use a translation app. Most staff are patient when they see you are prepared and polite.

Remember that thousands of Nigerian students settle into Germany every year. Every problem you face has been solved before, and your university and student community are there to help you through it.