Registering with the City of Bochum
All citizens in Germany have to register at the City Administration (Bürgerbüro) of the town or city they are living in.
Students from non-EU-countries have to register at the City Administration first in order to apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbüro).
Registration at the city should take place within two weeks of moving (even within Germany). It's sufficient if the appointment is made within the first two weeks!
To register in Bochum, you need to go to your local City Administration, for example in the Uni-Center. Your data will be registered there. What kind of documents are required, can be checked in our information sheet at the right hand side.
You will receive letters after registration
- National Identification Number ↓
After registration at the city you will automatically receive a National Identification Number by the tax office.
Please preserve this letter if you are planning to start working in Germany in the future. If this is not the case, this letter is not highly important to you.
- Rundfunkbeitrag (TV taxes) ↓
After registration at the city you will possibly receive a letter of Rundfunkbeitragsservice containing a registration for TV taxes.
The so-called "Rundfunkbeitrag" (TV taxes) is used to finance the numerous radio, television and online content of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio. Since January 2013 this contribution amounts about 18 EUR per month. TV taxes must be paid for each apartment, even if this apartment is inhabited by foreign students exclusively.
You may find more information in our FAQ-list. The list can be found on the right hand side at "further information".
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