Indians in Germany: paperwork on both sides

Moving from India to Germany means two sets of paperwork: the German side (Anmeldung, residence permit, insurance, taxes) and the Indian side (bank accounts, PAN, property, your parents' visits). Here are the tasks most people meet in the first year, what each involves, and checklists for both countries.

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The German side

  1. Anmeldung within two weeks

    Register your address at the Bürgeramt within two weeks of moving in. Bring your passport and your landlord's confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). The registration certificate unlocks your bank account, tax ID and residence permit appointment. Anmeldung guide

  2. Residence permit or Blue Card

    If you came on a national visa, the Ausländerbehörde issues your residence card (eAT) in Germany. Appointments can take weeks, so book early, note the expiry date and apply to renew before it runs out. Blue Card renewal · Residence permit

  3. Health insurance

    Health insurance is compulsory. Most employees join public insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung); above an income limit you can choose private cover. Your employer needs the insurer's membership confirmation. Make it in Germany

  4. Tax ID and your first tax return

    Your tax ID (Steuer-ID) arrives by post a few weeks after Anmeldung; your employer needs it for payroll. Many newcomers get money back by filing a return, and some must file. German tax return guide

  5. Broadcasting fee

    Every household pays the Rundfunkbeitrag, and a letter from the Beitragsservice usually follows your registration. What to do

  6. Driving licence

    An Indian licence is generally recognised for six months after you take up residence. After that you need a German licence; for Indian licences this usually means theory and practical tests. Check the rules with your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (FeV § 29).

The Indian side

  1. NRE and NRO accounts

    Under India's FEMA rules you tell your Indian bank when you become non-resident: resident savings accounts are redesignated as NRO, and an NRE account takes money earned abroad. Update KYC and any demat account too. Check the current rules with your bank and the RBI.

  2. PAN, Aadhaar and tax status

    Your Indian tax residence depends on the days you spend in India. Keep your PAN record up to date with your status, and file an Indian return when you have Indian income such as NRO interest or rent. India and Germany have a tax treaty; Form 10F can be needed to use it. Check on the e-Filing portal.

  3. Your parents' visit visa

    Parents visiting from India need a Schengen visa: up to 90 days in any 180. They show who pays (often your formal obligation, the Verpflichtungserklärung from your Ausländerbehörde), travel medical insurance and their documents. Check the current fee and appointment slots on VFS Global and the German missions in India.

  4. Home loan and property in India

    Tell your lender you are now an NRI, pay EMIs from an NRE or NRO account, give a trusted person a power of attorney, and keep property tax and rent (with tax deducted at source) in order.

  5. OCI if you become German

    Germany has allowed multiple citizenship since 2024, but India does not: taking German citizenship means giving up Indian citizenship. You then surrender your Indian passport and can apply for an OCI card. Check the current fee on the Embassy of India Berlin site.

How Raaya helps

Ready-made checklists

Each checklist opens as a free page with the steps, documents and official sources; start it in Raaya with one tap.

Browse all templates

Step-by-step Germany guides

German paperwork, step by step

Indians in other countries

Questions

Do I need to tell my Indian bank that I moved to Germany?

Yes. Once you are non-resident under FEMA, your resident savings accounts should be redesignated as NRO, and money earned abroad goes into an NRE account. Banks do this with a form and updated KYC; the NRI bank accounts checklist lists the documents.

Can my parents visit me in Germany on a Schengen visa?

Yes, for short visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. They apply in India with your invitation, proof of who pays (often your Verpflichtungserklärung) and travel medical insurance. Check the current fee and document list on the German missions' site; the Parents' visit visa checklist lists the steps.

Can I keep my Indian passport if I become German?

No. India does not allow dual citizenship, so you give up Indian citizenship when you take German citizenship and surrender your passport. An OCI card then gives you a lifelong visa for India and lets you live and work there.

Does Raaya work in Hindi?

Yes. The app, letter explanations and notifications work in Hindi and 27 other languages, and in a shared journey each family member uses their own language.

What does Raaya cost?

Raaya is free to start: journeys, an on-device document vault and 20 AI credits a month. Pro costs €7.99 a month or €69.99 a year (the store shows your local price) and adds 200 credits, a 5 GB cloud vault, sync, sharing with up to 5 people and World watch.

Official sources

General information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules and fees change: check the official source for your case before you act.

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