New in Jena

The first weeks in a new city are full of tasks: registering your address, getting insured, opening a bank account, finding your way to the public offices. “Jena für dich” explains these steps in 11 languages – step by step and always with a link to the responsible office in Jena. Here is an overview of what the app’s guides cover.

The most important steps

1. Registering your address. When you move into a flat in Jena, you register within 2 weeks at the Bürgerservice, the citizens’ service office (Team Bürgerservice, Engelplatz 1). In person, this is only possible with an appointment. Among other things, you need the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord’s confirmation) from your landlord.
   Official page: Registering your address – City of Jena
2. Ausländerbehörde (immigration office). The Ausländerbehörde Jena (Team Ausländerservice, Löbdergraben 12) decides on residence permits. You send most applications by post or email – without a personal visit. The app has a ready-made cover letter for this.
   Official page: Team Ausländerservice – City of Jena
3. Health insurance. In Germany you must have health insurance. If you are employed, you usually choose a statutory health insurance fund (gesetzliche Krankenkasse) yourself. The guide explains how to compare the funds and who in your family can be covered with you.
   Official page: List of health insurance funds – GKV-Spitzenverband
4. GP (Hausarzt). Your GP practice is your first point of contact. If you cannot find a practice, the appointment service 116117 can help. You can find practices in Jena on the app’s map.
   Official page: 116117 – patient service
5. Bank account. Anyone who is legally resident in the EU and does not yet have an account in Germany has the right to a basic account (Basiskonto) – even without a fixed address.
   Official page: Basic account (Basiskonto) – BaFin
6. Mobile phone and SIM card. Prepaid (top up credit in advance, no minimum term) or contract (monthly bill, fixed term) – the guide explains both.
   Official page: Consumer portal on contracts – Bundesnetzagentur
7. Bus and tram. In Jena, trams and buses run on the fares of the Verkehrsverbund Mittelthüringen (VMT, the regional transport association). If you travel often, you usually get a subscription or the Deutschlandticket. The customer centre of Jenaer Nahverkehr is at Saalstraße 8a.
   Official page: Fare overview – Jenaer Nahverkehr / Stadtwerke Jena
8. Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee). The Rundfunkbeitrag is a compulsory fee per household. After moving in, you will often get a letter from the Beitragsservice – the guide explains what to do with it.
   Official page: Rundfunkbeitrag – Beitragsservice
9. Finding a flat. When looking for a flat, watch out for scams with fake adverts. Do not transfer any money before you have seen the flat and signed a contract.
   Official page: Advance payment fraud – Polizeiliche Kriminalprävention (police crime prevention)
10. Integration course (Integrationskurs). An integration course consists of a language course and an orientation course. Whether you are allowed to take part depends on your residence status. You can find courses through the BAMF course search.
    Official page: BAMF-NAvI (course search)

Sources checked on 28 September 2026. Addresses and procedures may change – only the information provided by the responsible office is binding. Opening hours, phone numbers and documents are listed in the relevant guide in the app.

Also in the app

• a map with 3,077 places in Jena that also works without internet – public offices, medical practices, pharmacies, advice centres, shops;
• bin collection dates for your street based on the open data of Kommunalservice Jena;
• events from the events calendar of the City of Jena;
• emergency and helpline numbers: 112, 110, out-of-hours medical service 116 117.
• with the next update (version 1.2): news from the City of Jena, a link to the timetable changes of Jenaer Nahverkehr and the “Support” section with benefits and programmes – more under What’s new.

More under Features.

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