What Do I Need to Do?
Step-by-step guide for 15 life events: moving, business, marriage, baby, and more. With deadlines and document checklists. Free.
What Do I Need to Do? — Life Event Guide
German bureaucracy is complex: moving, starting a business, marriage, baby, divorce, death — every life event brings dozens of forms, deadlines, and government office visits. Our assistant guides you step by step through 15 life events with checklists, deadlines, and the right tools.
15 Life Events — From Moving to Retirement
- Moving: Re-registration (§ 17 BMG, 14 days!), mail forwarding, utilities, broadcasting fee
- Self-employment: Trade registration (§ 14 GewO), tax office, business account
- Marriage: Registry office, name change, tax class switch, insurance updates
- Baby: Birth certificate (7 days!), Kindergeld (§ 62 EStG), Elterngeld, parental leave
- Divorce: Separation year (§ 1566 BGB), alimony, pension equalization
- Death: Death certificate (3 business days!), certificate of inheritance, accounts
- Job loss: Register immediately (§ 38 SGB III), ALG I, health insurance
- Buying property: Notary, land register, property transfer tax (3.5–6.5%)
- Car: Registration, insurance (§ 1 PflVG), TÜV inspection, vehicle tax
- Immigration: Residence permit, registration, tax ID, health insurance, bank account
Deadlines — Critical Timelines
Many administrative acts have hard deadlines: 14 days for re-registration, 7 days for birth certificate, 3 days for death certificate, immediate unemployment registration. Missed deadlines can result in fines (up to €1,000 for late registration) or loss of benefits.
What Our Guide Provides
- 15 life events with step-by-step instructions
- Progress tracking across all tasks
- Links to relevant tools (VAT calculator, resignation letter, etc.)
- Deadline overview with countdown
- Document checklists