From abroad · Arriving

Arriving in Rhine-Neckar

Heidelberg, Mannheim, Walldorf and Ludwigshafen are less than 30 minutes apart. University hospital, biotech cluster, SAP and the chemical industry in one region, plus the Neckar, the old town and many international teams.

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First weeks

The round of authorities

  1. Housing. Heidelberg is tight and expensive; Mannheim, Eppelheim, Dossenheim, Leimen or Wiesloch are often cheaper and well connected. Bring the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord's confirmation of residence) from your landlord.
  2. Registration at the Bürgeramt (citizens' office) within two weeks of moving in. Your tax ID then arrives automatically by post.
  3. Bank account with passport, registration certificate and, if needed, employment contract. Many online banks open accounts faster than branches.
  4. Health insurance. As an employee you are subject to statutory insurance; you choose the insurer yourself. Physicians above a certain salary can also opt for private cover; get advice first.
  5. Residence permit apply at the city's Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) before your visa expires.
  6. Physicians additionally: registration with the Landesärztekammer (state medical chamber), and the Versorgungswerk (professional pension scheme) instead of statutory pension insurance (apply for exemption).

Network

International meetups, the Welcome Center of the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region, language tandems through the university. We are happy to name concrete contact points in our conversation.