Moving to Stuttgart from Abroad — What You Need to Know Before You Arrive

Moving to Stuttgart from another country involves more than booking a flight and finding a flat. The city has specific quirks — its geography, its industrial base, its housing market dynamics — that shape how your first weeks will feel. This guide covers the practical steps that matter most before, during, and immediately after your arrival.

Before you arrive — visa and paperwork

Your first question is whether you need a visa. The answer depends on your nationality and your reason for moving:

• EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: No visa required. You have freedom of movement but still need to register your address (Anmeldung) after arriving.
• Non-EU with a job offer: You will likely need either a work visa or an EU Blue Card. The Blue Card is available if your salary meets the threshold (approximately €43,800/year in 2024, or €39,682 for shortage occupations). Your employer usually helps initiate this process.
• Non-EU without a job offer: Options are more limited. A job-seeker visa exists for qualified professionals, but it requires proof of sufficient funds and recognised qualifications.
• Students: A student visa requires university admission and proof of financial resources (currently around €11,208/year blocked in a German bank account).

Start the visa process at least 2–3 months before your intended move date. German embassies and consulates process applications at varying speeds, and delays are common.

Temporary housing for your first weeks

Do not try to secure a long-term flat from abroad unless you have strong relocation support. Stuttgart landlords overwhelmingly prefer applicants who attend viewings in person. The standard approach is:

1. Arrive in temporary housing (2–6 weeks)
2. Search for long-term housing while living in the city
3. Move into your permanent flat once a contract is signed

Temporary housing options in Stuttgart:

• Furnished apartments: Websites like Wunderflats, HousingAnywhere, and Spotahome list furnished flats by the month. Prices range from €900–€1,500/month for a studio or 1-bedroom depending on location.
• Serviced apartments: Business-style accommodation near Hauptbahnhof or in Stuttgart-Mitte. More expensive but fully managed.
• Airbnb: Available but can be costly for stays longer than a few weeks. Negotiate directly with hosts for monthly rates.
• University housing: If you are a student, the Studierendenwerk Stuttgart manages dormitories and shared flats at below-market rates. Apply early — waitlists can be long.

What to bring vs what to buy locally

Stuttgart has everything you need available locally, so do not overpack. Prioritise:

Bring with you:

• Passport, visa documents, and multiple photocopies
• Birth certificate and marriage certificate (apostilled and translated if applicable)
• Educational diplomas and professional certifications (translated)
• Driver’s licence (an International Driving Permit is useful for the first 6 months)
• Prescription medications and a letter from your doctor
• Laptop, phone, and essential electronics (German plug adapters or a small power strip)

Buy locally:

• Furniture and household goods (IKEA Sindelfingen, Möbel Rieger)
• Kitchen supplies (many German flats come without a fitted kitchen — this is a common shock for newcomers)
• Bedding and towels (sizes differ from US/UK standards)
• Winter clothing if arriving in warmer months (Stuttgart winters are damp and cold)

Banking and money

You cannot do much in Germany without a local bank account. Your rent, salary, health insurance, and most bills will run through it.

Options for newcomers:

• Traditional banks (Sparkasse, Volksbank, Commerzbank): Require Anmeldung first. In-person setup is common.
• Online banks (N26, DKB, Comdirect): Easier to open from abroad or before Anmeldung in some cases. N26 is popular with expats because the app is in English and setup is fast.
• Revolut or Wise: Useful as a bridge while you wait for a German account, especially for currency conversion and initial expenses.

Bring enough cash or a low-fee international card to cover your first 2–3 weeks of expenses before your German account is operational.

Health insurance

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany, and you need it from day one. Your options depend on your employment status:

• Employed (public insurance): Your employer registers you with a public Krankenkasse (AOK, TK, Barmer, etc.). Premiums are a percentage of your salary (around 14.6%, split with your employer).
• Employed (private insurance): Available if your annual income exceeds the threshold (approximately €69,300) or you are self-employed. More complex to set up but sometimes cheaper for young, healthy individuals.
• Students: Public insurance at a reduced student rate (approximately €120/month).
• Unemployed or job-seeking: You must arrange your own coverage. Travel insurance does not count as valid health insurance for registration purposes.

Sort this out before or immediately after arrival. Some administrative processes require proof of insurance.

The first-month checklist

Once you have arrived and found temporary housing, work through these tasks in roughly this order:

1. Anmeldung — Register at the Bürgeramt (see our Anmeldung guide)
2. Bank account — Open a German account
3. Health insurance — Confirm or activate your coverage
4. Mobile phone — Get a German SIM (prepaid or contract)
5. Flat search — Set up alerts on ImmobilienScout24 and start attending viewings
6. Steuer-ID — Wait for your tax ID by post (needed for employer payroll)
7. Long-term flat — Sign contract, pay deposit, move in
8. Ummeldung — Update your registration if you move from temporary to permanent address

Stuttgart-specific things to know

• The city is built in a basin surrounded by hills. Commute times are longer than flat maps suggest. Test your actual route before committing to a district.
• Car ownership is expensive and often unnecessary if you live near a U-Bahn or S-Bahn station. Parking in central districts is limited and costly.
• The Cannstatter Volksfest (late September to early October) is a major event. If you live in or near Bad Cannstatt, expect crowds and noise during the festival.
• Many flats come without a fitted kitchen. This is standard in Germany and not a negotiation point. Budget €1,000–€2,500 for a basic kitchen installation if your flat does not include one.
• Stuttgart 21 (the major rail infrastructure project) is ongoing. Construction around the Hauptbahnhof area affects some routes and will continue for several years. Check how this impacts any district you are considering.

Moving to Stuttgart is manageable when you sequence the tasks correctly. Start with visa and paperwork, secure temporary housing, then tackle Anmeldung, banking, and the flat search in order. The tools and guides on this site are designed to help you through each step.