Once you’ve made the decision to move to Germany, you’ve implicitly entered into a long-term relationship with German bureaucrats. They’ll want to see you within the first week of your arrival to register your presence and address at the Einwohnermeldeamt, an office in each district that takes care of most citizen-related business. This is the only immediate order of official business, but it’s a good idea to start thinking about how and where to get your residency and work permits, if you don’t have them yet. You can use your foreign driving licence for six months unless it’s not from an EU country, in which case you’ll never need a German permit.

With the first official steps out of the way, start settling in:

• Find an apartment or house: most locals rely on websites and the weekend editions of the Berliner Zeitung and Tagesspiegel.
• Furnish your pad: furniture stores are crowded near and around Savignyplatz in Charlottenburg, while Sunday flea markets are popular for second-hand sofas.
• Utilities: although your apartment probably already has satellite television, electricity and gas, you’ll need to let the companies know you’ve moved in so they can add your name to the bill.
• Order phone and internet services: Germany has a handful of providers, so pick one and place your order – it’s likely to take weeks.
• Post: Don’t forget to put your name on the mailbox if the property management company doesn’t do it for you – it’s the only way the postman will know you’re there.