Insurances, City Registration, Bank Account
1) City Registration
Registration at the Residents' Registration Office
When you move to Cologne from another German City, you have to get registered with the Resident’s Registration Office within seven days after your arrival. When you move to Cologne from a foreign Country you only need to register if you are staying longer than two months. At the Residents' Registration Office you will receive a "Meldebescheinigung". This is a paper conforming that you have registered. You will need this offical proof of registration if you wish to extend your visa or open a bank account. Once you have registered you will also be given a "Lohnsteuerkarte". This is an income tax card and you will need it if you have an employment contract and intend to draw a sala
How do I register?
In order to register please bring along:
- confirmation by the landlord for registration/deregistration (document)
- passport with visa
- registration form (available at the Residents' Registration Office)
- for marital partners/children: certified German translation of marriage and birth certificate
Please go to:
Bezirksamt Lindenthal
Aachener Straße 220 (intersection Aachener Str. / Oskar-Jäger- Str.)
50931 Köln
Opening hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 7:30am - 12pm
Tuesday, 9:30am - 6pm
Thursday, 7:30am - 4pm
Relocation or Permanent Departure
Please note that according to the NW Registration Act you are obliged to cancel your registration within one week if you move out of your current apartment (§ 13). We are pleased to inform you at this point that you can do this not only in the registration hall, but also in our office. Please contact us before your departure.
The obligation to deregister does not apply to persons who move into a new apartment in the district of the same registration authority within this period and therefore have to register. Please make sure that you do not exceed the aforementioned deadline, otherwise you will be acting improperly and will be liable to a fine.
2) Bank account
In Germany it is common to pay smaller sums in cash. Apart from cash, debit and credit cards are usually accepted. If you are staying in Germany for an extended period, are receiving a regular salary or fellowship and have to pay rent, it is a good idea to open a current account at a bank at the earliest opportunity. You can open a current account at any bank, the nearest ones are located at Zülpicher Straße, Dürener Straße and Luxemburger Straße.
How do I open a bank account?
In order to open a bank account you need:
- your passport or identity card
- residence permit from the "Ausländeramt" (Immigration Office)
- confirmation from the "Einwohnermeldeamt" (Residents’ Registration Office)
You will be issued with a debit card called a “EuroCheque-Karte” (EC card) for your current account which will allow you to draw cash from a cashpoint (ATM). This service is free if you use cashpoints belonging to your own bank but incurs charges if the cashpoints are maintained by other banks.
Transferring money abroad can be expensive. You should enquire about the conditions at your own bank at home in advance and possibly choose a bank in Germany that cooperates with your bank at home.
Source: EURAXESS