4 Things to Remember When Moving Into Your New Apartment in Germany

You’ve found an apartment in Germany and signed a rental contract—now you need to take care of a few last things before that apartment can truly be home. From getting internet to registering your address, we have compiled the most important to-dos you’ll need to check off your list.

1. Choose your Internet provider

As soon as you’ve signed your rental contract, you should choose an Internet provider. You can find the DSL/Cable Company that best fits your needs by comparing online at websites like check24.de.

 

 

Because this is your first time setting up an account with an Internet provider in Germany, you are considered a new customer. Some Internet providers offer new customers advantages or reduced rates. Because of this, it is an especially good idea to do a price comparison at check24-Preisvergleich.
Consider what Internet speed you need. If you’re often online or downloading large files, you’ll need a DSL-contract with a fast Internet connection. Also be aware of the minimum length of a contract. Many DSL-contracts are at least 24 months long. You’ll want to be able to change providers quickly in case you are unhappy with the first Internet provider you selected. Some contracts last up to a year; others can be terminated after a month.

Have you made any good or any bad experiences with German providers? How long did it take from booking the service until having internet access at your new home? Please share your experience with us! We look forward to your comment!

2. Set up Your Electricty

Before you move into your apartment in Germany, you should compare electricity providers in your area in order to find out which is the best for you and if they can give you power as soon as you move in.

You will have electricity as soon as you move in even if you did not contact a power company yet. The apartment is automatically provided with power from a local provider, but this is provided at a relatively high price—and the electricity is from an atomic energy source. You can probably find a less expensive and more environmentally friendly provider before moving into your new place. Use check24 or  verivox to compare various electricity providers. All environmentally friendly providers, that you will find at vervivox can be compared here. Keep an eye out for a shorter contract (a year at most), a short period of cancellation (two weeks) and that the electricity doesn’t need to be paid for in advance. Once you’ve decided on a provider, you can usually set up your account with them online.

We’d love to hear about your experience: Let us know which electricity provider you chose, if it was a good choice, and if you would recommend this provider. We look forward to your comment!

3. Register your address

In Germany there is a “Meldepflicht”, meaning you are required to register your address with the registration office after moving into your new apartment in Germany. You have one week (in some areas two weeks) after you move in to register. In most German states it is free to register, but not in all (registering in Hamburg costs 12 Euro, for example). You must appear at the registration office in person, and your new address will be entered into your identity card.

For the registration you will need:

• Your identity card
• A registration form:
This can be found directly at your respective registration office, and usually online as well
• Proof of housing:
Your landlord must prove that you actually live at the address you are registering under. Your proof of housing must include the following information:
Name and address of the landlord, move in date (and move out date if established), your name and the address of your apartment, your emergency contacts

Registering your address? What questions and tips do you have? Please share your experiences with us; we look forward to your comments!

4. Connect Your Water

Often you won’t need to worry about finding a water provider and setting that up for your apartment in Germany —the landlord typically does this. The cost of water is then included in your rent.

 

However, it is possible that this will not always be the case, and that you may have to find a water provider yourself. Hierfür schließen sie einen Vertrag mit dem örtlichen Versorgungsunternehmen ab. This is best done as soon as you Zugang zum Wasserzähler haben, meaning as soon as possible.
Auf den Webseiten der zuständigen Stadtwerke you’ll find the registration forms.

 

Also in our blog: Finding an apartment in Germany isn’t always easy, especially in large cities. Often there is intense competition between dozens of apartment-seekers for one flat. We have six tips to make your apartment search less stressful and more successful.
An apartment viewing is your chance to leave a lasting impression with the landlord, so that he ultimately decides to give you the flat. Below we have collected tips regarding apartment viewings in Germany, to help you increase your chance of landing your dream apartment in Germany.
Also read this interview with Shyam M. Ramaprasad from Mysore, India, who is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the Kühne Logistics University (KLU) in Hamburg, to learn about his experience regarding the apartment search: How to find a place to live in Germany.

Main photo: Photo: Michael Beer / Dreamstime.com