India → Berlin: the first 90 days

Berlin is Europe's most relocation-ready tech city, but the first 90 days punish improvisation. This is the order I wish someone had given me.

Before you fly

• Book 30 days of temporary, registration-friendly housing (important: not every Airbnb allows Anmeldung)
• Open a Wise or Revolut multi-currency account to avoid SEPA headaches in week 1
• Bring originals of: degree + apostille, marriage certificate if partnered, vaccination records for kids
• Download Anmeldung forms in PDF and pre-fill them

Week 1–2: the paperwork sprint

The Bürgeramt is the gate. You can book appointments online; on bad weeks they're 5 weeks out. Glimmora's plan auto-books your slot the day you confirm your lease so you're not waiting. Bring passport, rental contract, Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation).

Week 2–4: banking, health insurance, tax

• German bank accounts need your Anmeldung certificate. N26, DKB, or Sparkasse are the usual picks
• Public health insurance (TK, AOK) is mandatory. Choose before day 30 — your employer auto-enrolls you otherwise
• Tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer) arrives by post 2–3 weeks after Anmeldung

Kita spots if you have children

Kitas fill 6+ months out. Every Kiezmutter knows the dance: enroll on 5+ lists, call weekly. Berlin has the Kita-Gutschein voucher system — apply at the Jugendamt in your Bezirk as soon as you have your Anmeldung.

Month 2–3: tax optimisation

The §34b relief for expat signing bonuses is underrated. If you got a lump-sum relocation payment, a Steuerberater can often split it across years. One hour of tax advice pays for itself if you relocated with a family.