North Rhine-Westphalia · Newcomer guide
Settling in Essen
Essen is part of the Ruhr region; many services run on the same NRW state portals, and the cost of living is lower than in the big western cities. Work through the steps below — each guide lists the exact documents to bring.
Typical monthly cost in Essen: ~€1.550 (rent + essentials). See the full city guide →
When you arrive
Register your address (Anmeldung) in Essen
Anmeldung
Read the guide→Get your tax ID & tax class in Essen
Steuer-ID / Finanzamt
Read the guide→Open a bank account in Essen
Girokonto
Read the guide→Sign up for health insurance in Essen
Krankenversicherung
Read the guide→Apply for a residence permit in Essen
Aufenthaltstitel
Read the guide→Find a place to live in Essen
Wohnungssuche
Read the guide→Get a SIM or phone contract in Essen
Handyvertrag
Read the guide→Extend your residence permit in Essen
Aufenthaltstitel verlängern
Read the guide→As you settle in
Exchange your driving licence in Essen
Führerschein umschreiben
Read the guide→Claim child benefit (Kindergeld) in Essen
Kindergeld
Read the guide→Get a public transport ticket in Essen
Deutschlandticket
Read the guide→Register as a freelancer in Essen
Freiberufler anmelden
Read the guide→File an income-tax return in Essen
Einkommensteuererklärung
Read the guide→Register a car (Kfz-Zulassung) in Essen
Kfz-Zulassung
Read the guide→Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) in Essen
Elterngeld
Read the guide→Apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld) in Essen
Wohngeld
Read the guide→Find a daycare place (Kita) in Essen
Kita-Platz
Read the guide→Enrol your child in school in Essen
Schulanmeldung
Read the guide→Apply for German citizenship in Essen
Einbürgerung
Read the guide→Apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in Essen
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Read the guide→Get a German driving licence (driving school) in Essen
Führerschein / Fahrschule
Read the guide→Meet Amtly
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