Finding an apartment. Bring:

• Proof of financial resources: Payroll of the last 3 months/scholarship/employment contract
• Identity card/passport with valid visa
• “Mietschuldenfreiheitsbestätigung”: Certificate that you do not have any rent debts. You can get it from your current landlord/in your accommodation
• “SCHUFA”: Statement on your "creditworthiness" (whether you are able to pay your bills and whether you can do so in the future), which will be empty if you have just arrived in Germany. You can get the "Datenkopie" free once a year via mail. The "Bonitätsauskunft" costs roughly 30 € and is available immediately
• Certificate of enrolment

Register with the local authorities in Berlin/”Anmeldung beim Bürgeramt”

Theoretically you need to do this within 14 days of moving in, in reality as soon as there is an appointment available, which may be months later. Bring:

• Completed and signed application form
• “Wohnungsgeberbestätigung”/Confirmation of moving in by your landlord or main tenant
• ID or passport with visa or residence permit
• If applicable, marriage or your child’s birth certificate

Ask your embassy if it is necessary to get registered there as well.

Open a local bank account

• Residence certificate from local authorities (“Meldebescheinigung”)
• Passport with visa
• Some banks offer free banking accounts for enrolled students

Take out health insurance/”Krankenversicherung”

• Bank account details
• Passport and visa

Obtain residence permit/”Aufenthaltsgenehmigung” (non EU/EEA & Swiss nationals)

book an online appointment with the Berlin Immigration Office well in advance.

• Letter of acceptance by department (“Zulassung”) and certificate of enrolment (”Immatrikulationsbescheinigung”)
• Proof of financial resources during stay (e.g. scholarship or employment contract)
• Proof of health insurance
• Residence certificate/”Meldebescheinigung”
• 1 biometric passport photo
• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Completed and signed application form (“Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels“)
• If applicable, marriage certificate and declaration of common residence
• Processing fee of approx. 100 € for the issue of the first permit (foreign doctoral candidates who receive a scholarship from a German institution do not pay the processing fee)