What to do first when arriving in Rostock?
Finding an apartment and registering
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the IOW offers guest rooms for up to 4 months --> to check the availability of these rooms please contact the secretary of the department
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if no guest room at the IOW is available or latest after 4 months of staying there, you should find an apartment of your own. You find some useful websites in this linked file.
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if you stay longer than three months in Germany, please register your German address at the citizens' registration office (Ortsamt) that is responsible for your area that you live in --> Information for Rostock citizens
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the following documents are required before you go there:
- fill out the "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung" (landlord confirmation) and let it sign from your landlord
- your passport or ID card
- if you already have an address in Germany then bring the confirmation of your registration of that place
When registering at the Ortsamt you will automatically receive a German tax ID number (Steueridentifikationsnummer) that will be sent to you within a couple of weeks to your registered address. The tax ID number is important for your salary. If you do not register, you will be put to "Steuerklasse VI" which is the highest tax class with the highest tax deduction.
If you move to Germany with your family (spouse, children) make sure they are mentioned on the form as well and they will have to go to the Ortsamt with you personally.
- your passport
- biometric photo
- your "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung" - registration letter of your apartment
- source of living expenses, i.e. your working contract and/or (blocked) bank account information
- confirmation of German health insurance
- filled out request form
Also here your family has to accompany you and register. If they are arriving at a later time please make sure they also register at the immigration office personally.
Opening a bank account
To have a German bank account is very important for receiving your salary as well as making contracts in Germany, i.e. mobile phone, renting an apartment, etc.
For opening a bank account you need your passport, temporary visa and the document for registration of your address.
Get a health insurance
Most Germans are members of the government health system (GKV), and for all employees it is mandatory. You can choose one health insurance out of about 113 health insurances in Germany. The basic rate is 14.6 % of your monthly gross salary.
Rostock offers a great amout of childcare possibilities for all ages.
For Kindergarten you can apply at your supervisor/head of department for a childcare possibility in Warnemünde. That is an intern IOW process that is decided about in the executive unit. Also it depends on free capacities in the kindergarten.
If there are no free capacities you can look for kindergarten online: https://www.kitaplaner.de/rostock/elternportal/elternportal.jsf
If you have contacted a kindergarten/daycare successfully then there are some administrative and organizational steps to follow:
- fill out the "Antrag auf Berechtigung" (claim for eligibility)
- fill out the "Arbeitszeitnachweis" (proof of working time) and let your head of department or administration/human ressources sign
With those two documents AND the confirmation of the Ortsamt, and the documents you/your child receives the from the immigration office you can go to the Youth and Social office of the city of Rostock.
to be continued...