These are the things that you absolutely must do when you come to Germany. Please deal with them in this fixed order; it saves you the trouble of having to go to the same office twice.

Arriving at the Institute

Step 1: Find accommodation
Step 2: Health insurance
Step 3: Register at town hall
Step 4: Open a bank account
Step 5: Foreigners’ office

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Leaving the Institute

Step 1: Give notice of leaving
Step 2: “Unregister” at town hall
Step 3: Close bank account
Step 4: Cancel health insurance
Step 5: Close electricity and telephone account