What you don't need to pay for

Registering your address

The Anmeldung itself is free at the counter.The official wording Registering itself is free. Berlin's official service page lists the fee as 'keine' — none. Fees are set municipally, so confirm on your own city's page; what this animal can actually cost you is the fine for registering late, not anything at the counter. Source ↗

Do this in: Anmeldung starter pack

A bank account

A basic account is a legal right, not a product.The official wording Every consumer lawfully resident in the EU has a legal right to a basic payment account (Basiskonto). A bank that offers consumer accounts must offer you one, and must do so within ten business days of your application. Source ↗

Do this in: Bank account basics

Being refused an account

Complaining to BaFin costs nothing, and BaFin decides.The official wording A bank may refuse a basic account only on narrow legal grounds — for example if you already have a usable account at another German bank, or were convicted of an intentional offence against the bank in the last three years. If you're refused without good reason, you can complain to BaFin free of charge, and BaFin decides whether the bank must open the account. Source ↗

Do this in: Bank account basics

Choosing your health fund

The choice is yours by law. No broker needed.The official wording You choose your own health insurance fund (Krankenkasse) — by law you are a member of the fund you select, not one your employer picks for you. Your employer needs the fund's confirmation of membership (Mitgliedsbescheinigung), not the right to decide. Source ↗

Do this in: Health insurance explainer

Health cover for your family

Your partner and children can be covered for no extra payment.The official wording Family members can be covered at no additional contribution (Familienversicherung): a spouse or registered partner and children living in Germany, provided they are not otherwise insured and their own income stays under the legal limit. Children are covered to 18, to 23 if not employed, and to 25 while in education or training. Source ↗

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Your SCHUFA data

One copy of your own data is free. Ask for the Datenkopie.The official wording You have the right to a free copy of the data Schufa holds on you — the 'Datenkopie nach Art. 15 DSGVO'. It is free of charge; do not be misled by paid offers that appear first when you search. Source ↗

Do this in: Rental application helper

The paid SCHUFA certificate

The 30-euro version is optional, and a different product.The official wording The free Datenkopie is a different product from the paid SCHUFA-BonitätsAuskunft (around 30 euros) that many landlords prefer, because the paid one is formatted to show to third parties. The free copy is your right; the paid certificate is optional and up to you. Source ↗

Do this in: Rental application helper

A wrong SCHUFA entry

They must correct it, and it costs you nothing.The official wording If your Schufa record contains wrong or unlawfully stored data, the bureau must correct, delete, or restrict it free of charge. An informal letter stating exactly which data is incorrect is enough to request this. Source ↗

Do this in: Rental application helper

The broadcast fee

Some people pay half, some nothing. You apply directly.The official wording Reductions and exemptions exist — for example a reduced fee of 6.12 euros per month for people with severe disabilities (RF mark), and exemptions for deaf-blind people and recipients of certain social benefits including BAföG. Applications go through the contribution service. Source ↗

Do this in: Rundfunkbeitrag helper

Filing your tax return

The tax office's own portal is free. Nothing paid is required.The official wording The tax office (Finanzamt) decides, and the filing itself happens in ELSTER — the tax administration's own online portal, which is free to use. Nothing you pay for is required to file; what costs money is having someone prepare it for you. Source ↗