Before you start

Passport and residence permit or visa
Meldebescheinigung from your Anmeldung, for most traditional banks
Steuer-ID, or the undertaking to supply it once issued
A German address

Step-by-step

1
Open a digital bank account before you arrive if you can
Several German and EU digital banks open accounts without a registered German address, which solves the chicken-and-egg problem of needing an account before you have completed the Anmeldung. It gives you a German IBAN for the deposit and first rent payment.
OnlineWho: YouBefore arrival
2
Open a traditional account once registered
After the Anmeldung, a traditional bank account is worth having alongside — some landlords, employers and public bodies are still more comfortable with an established institution, and branch access matters for certain transactions.
In personWho: You
3
Request your Schufa report early
You are entitled to one free data copy per year under GDPR, and landlords expect a Schufa-Auskunft with any application. A new arrival's report will be nearly empty, which is better than negative but still weak — request it early so you have the document ready when a viewing comes up.
OnlineWho: YouMonth 1
4
Build a Schufa record deliberately
A mobile phone contract, a registered address and an account in good standing all begin to populate the file. Avoid opening many accounts at once, and avoid instalment purchases you do not need — both can read poorly.
OnlineWho: You
5
Understand the deposit rules before you sign a lease
German law caps the rental deposit at three months' cold rent, and it must be held separately from the landlord's own money in a way that earns interest for you. You may legally pay it in three monthly instalments. Many newcomers do not know either point.
In personWho: You
6
Set up direct debits for the essentials
Rent, health insurance, the Rundfunkbeitrag and utilities all run on SEPA direct debit here. Germany runs on this rather than on cards, and getting the mandates in place early avoids a cascade of reminder letters.
Mobile appWho: You

Documents you’ll need

Passport and residence permit
Meldebescheinigung
Steuer-ID once issued
Employment contract, which some banks ask for
Proof of German address

Things most newcomers don’t know

The deposit is capped at three months and can be paid in instalments.

German law limits a rental security deposit to three months' cold rent, requires it to be held apart from the landlord's assets and to accrue interest for the tenant, and gives the tenant the right to pay it in three monthly instalments. Landlords rarely mention the instalment right, and in Munich — where three months' rent is a large sum — it materially eases the move.

Source: Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch, §551

An empty Schufa file is the real barrier to a Munich flat.

Landlords expect a Schufa-Auskunft with every application, and a newcomer's is nearly blank. In a market with dozens of applicants per viewing, that is a reason to pick someone else. Counter it with an employer letter confirming salary and permanence, and offer to pay the deposit in full rather than in instalments if you can.

Source: community-reported

You are entitled to a free Schufa data copy every year.

Under data protection law you can request a full copy of your data at no charge. Schufa also markets a paid certificate aimed at landlords. The free version contains the same information — some landlords accept it, and it is worth trying before paying.

Source: Schufa — data copy under Art. 15 GDPR

Germany runs on direct debit, not on cards.

Rent, insurance, utilities and the broadcasting fee are all collected by SEPA direct debit from your account. Cards are far less central than in the US or UK, and some places still prefer cash. Getting your mandates set up early prevents a pile of reminder letters, which German institutions send promptly.

Source: community-reported

Common mistakes to avoid

Arriving with no German IBAN and being unable to pay a deposit or first rent.
Not knowing the deposit is capped at three months and payable in instalments.
Applying for flats without a Schufa-Auskunft ready.
Opening several accounts and credit products at once, which reads poorly on a thin file.
Assuming cards work everywhere — carry some cash, particularly in older Bavarian establishments.

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.