{"id":131155,"date":"2018-05-08T10:06:39","date_gmt":"2018-05-08T08:06:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/berlinstartupjobs.com\/?page_id=131155"},"modified":"2022-04-26T10:08:12","modified_gmt":"2022-04-26T08:08:12","slug":"just-landed-first-steps-berlin","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/berlinstartupjobs.com\/de\/moving-to-berlin\/just-landed-first-steps-berlin\/","title":{"rendered":"Just landed in Berlin: First Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"

You did it! You\u2019re here! Herzlich willkommen<\/em> and well done for making what we think is one of your finest decisions. Having read our introductory ode to Berlin<\/a>, you\u2019re aware of all the possibilities that lie ahead and are undoubtedly eager to get going.<\/p>\n

An important first step is to use any free time you can spare to get to know the city. Walking or cycling around the Bezirke<\/em><\/strong> (districts) is the best way to get a feel for each area and the city as a whole, as well as start to find your bearings. The U-Bahn is great, and you\u2019ll definitely see some of the city\u2019s more colourful characters down there, but if the weather allows it get outside and walk down streets that have played a huge part in the world\u2019s history. There\u2019s so much to see that you\u2019ll want to get started straight away.<\/p>\n

Each area has its own distinct character, whether it\u2019s the more polished pavements of Prenzlauer Berg or the rubbish strewn, \u00fcber hipster streets of Neuk\u00f6lln, and knowing them is important not just so you can find your nearest supermarket or candlelit bar, but so that when the time comes to choose where to live, you will have found the area that suits you best. Your choice can and will influence your whole life in the city; will you be a stalwart of Mauerpark, champion of Bearpit Karaoke, or will you spend your sunny days exploring the expanses of Tiergarten? Will Maybachufer be your local market or Boxhagener Platz? It\u2019s a serious business believe us; so much so that people often wear their Bezirk<\/em> as a badge, like members of a tribe.<\/p>\n

Okay, so you\u2019ve done some exploring, picked up some of the city\u2019s vibes, and are now thinking of getting down to the nitty-gritty of set-up administration. As always, the stuff that\u2019s worth having is worth the effort it takes to get it, and therefore in order to be able to really enjoy that certain ich wei\u00df es nicht<\/em> of life in Berlin there are a few steps you need to take first.<\/p>\n

Hands down the first and most important thing you need to do is your Anmeldung<\/em>. If you\u2019ve never heard of it then don\u2019t worry, that\u2019s what we\u2019re here for. If you have and its reputation precedes it then don\u2019t worry either. It is one of the most over-hyped processes in German administration. Clear your mind, start a fresh mental page, and let us guide you through the simple steps.<\/p>\n

Anmeldung – Registering your address in Berlin<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Put simply, Anmeldung<\/em> is a compulsory registration of the address at which you are living. Every person living in Germany is obliged to do this within 14 days of moving into a new residence. Without it you basically do not officially exist; it is the foundation upon which all your other German life admin is built.<\/p>\n

Of course, in order to be able to register at an address you need to actually find somewhere to live, which is a task in itself. Again, don\u2019t worry. If you haven\u2019t managed to do so yet you can register at a friend\u2019s or wherever you are staying temporarily as long as you have a letter from them explaining that. Same goes for sublets. Beware though; some sublets will not let you register at the address, most likely because their landlord doesn\u2019t know about it. If you can\u2019t, then it\u2019s probably not a good idea.<\/p>\n

So, onto the actual process of registering. There was, in recent years, some hysteria about the wait time for appointments, and while it can be a few weeks before there\u2019s a free spot it\u2019s no reason to get stressed. Try to be organised and check out the city\u2019s service portal<\/a> in advance. You can search for appointments by specific B\u00fcrgeramt or by date.<\/p>\n

The good thing about it is that you don\u2019t have to register at the B\u00fcrgeramt in your area; you can go to any. That\u2019s good? Yes; obviously central locations like Mitte or Kreuzberg are going to be fairly popular and therefore have a much longer wait for an appointment, but seeing as you\u2019ve just arrived and (probably) have plenty of free time, you can travel further afield where fewer people go and, tadaaaa, there are more appointments available. If you started straight into work upon arrival don\u2019t worry. Employers know that this is the most important piece of paperwork you need to get started, and so are usually pretty understanding and accommodating when it comes to helping you get it done.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re more of a last minute kind of person then you can even go in the morning, take a ticket and wait around for your number to be called. See, that\u2019s not all so bad now is it.<\/p>\n

The key to success here is preparation. Just get your documents in order before you go and it should be smooth sailing.<\/p>\n

You will need:<\/strong><\/p>\n