Your First Month in Germany: A Simple Guide to Everyday Life

1. Make the first few days easier

Start with the things you will use tomorrow: somewhere to sleep, food, a working phone and a way to get around. Save your address offline and keep a copy in your bag. A tired brain is surprisingly good at forgetting a new street name.

Take a short walk in daylight. Find a supermarket, a nearby transport stop and somewhere you can sit for a while. Try the route to your workplace, school or university before your first busy morning.

Keep your first plans small. One useful errand and one enjoyable thing can be enough for a day. A walk through a park counts. So does finding a bakery you would like to visit again.

2. Sort out your address early

Staying somewhere temporarily? Ask whether you can register that address. Some holiday accommodation is unsuitable for residence registration. A WG is a shared flat: you usually have your own room and share spaces such as the kitchen.

Before signing, check what the rent includes. Kaltmiete is the basic rent; Warmmiete adds some running costs. Do not assume electricity or internet is included. Ask whether furniture and a kitchen are provided.

Check your city’s official residence registration instructions promptly, including the deadline, appointment booking and landlord confirmation. The process is often called Anmeldung. Verify the property and landlord before making payments.

• Official guide to housing and registration ↗

3. Build a simple shopping routine

Your first food shop does not need to stock an entire kitchen. Buy enough for a few easy meals, then see what you actually use. Carry a reusable bag and check the opening hours of your local shops before going out.

Compare the price per kilogram or litre when it is shown. The largest packet is not always the best choice, especially if you are cooking for one. Keep your first few receipts so you can build a budget from your own spending.

Have a food allergy or a strict dietary need? Prepare a clear written explanation in German before shopping or eating out. Ask staff when you are unsure; do not guess from a picture on the packet.

4. Learn one route before learning the whole network

Start with the journey you will repeat most often. Check the stop name, direction, changes and final walk. Leave extra time on the first trip. Save the route before leaving if your mobile connection is unreliable.

The Deutschlandticket covers participating local and regional transport, such as buses, trams, U-Bahn, S-Bahn and regional trains. It normally does not cover ICE, IC or EC long-distance trains. Check the exact service before boarding; exceptions exist.

Before buying any pass, read the current price, validity and cancellation terms. Think about how often you will travel. Ask the local transport provider if you are unsure which ticket fits your route.

• Deutsche Bahn: where the Deutschlandticket is valid ↗

5. Give paperwork its own small routine

Create one folder for appointments, letters and documents. Add reminders for deadlines as soon as you receive them. A simple list is easier to manage than trying to remember everything.

Your tasks will depend on why you moved and how long you are staying. Ask your university, employer or the relevant local office what applies to you. Check official instructions for registration, residence matters and health cover instead of copying someone else’s checklist.

Read appointment messages carefully. Write down where to go, what to bring and how to contact the office. If a letter is unclear, ask for help early and avoid sharing private details in public groups.

6. Make space for people, too

Moving can feel exciting in the morning and lonely by the evening. You might miss familiar food, easy conversations or simply knowing how things work. Give yourself time to build a routine.

Choose something you can attend more than once: a language class, a sports group, a university activity or a local hobby group. Returning makes it easier to recognise people and start a conversation.

Keep in touch with people at home, but leave a little time for your new surroundings. Invite a classmate for a short walk or a coffee. You do not need a perfect sentence or a big plan to say hello.

7. Keep a few German phrases ready

You will not know every word. That is okay. Practise a few sentences you can use when you need help, and ask people to repeat things. Tap each card to see the meaning.

8. Your first-month checklist

Use this as a starting point, then add your own tasks. It is a planning guide, not a list of legal deadlines. Check time-sensitive requirements as soon as you arrive. Tick the items below as you read; the ticks reset when the page reloads.

• Save your address and important contacts.
• Check registration and other deadlines that apply to you.
• Organise your documents and appointment reminders.
• Learn your regular transport route and ticket rules.
• Plan a few meals and review your spending.
• Find a regular activity where you can meet people.
• Practise one useful German sentence each day.

Want help with everyday German?

If you are starting from the beginning, our A1 German course is a place to explore your next step. Look through the course details and ask us about your current level before choosing.

You can also use our study-routine guide to make a small practice plan at home. Your first month does not have to be perfect. Learning how to ask for help is already a useful start.

• Explore our German courses ↗
• Build a simple German study routine ↗
• Ask us about learning German ↗