Moving to Erlangen, Nürnberg, Fürth & Herzogenaurach: your start guide

Orientation for newcomers: registration, health insurance, transport, schools, language and housing – non-binding and with official sources.

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How to use this guide

Moving to a new country means many small tasks. This guide gives you a first orientation for Herzogenaurach, Erlangen, Fürth and Nürnberg: what to do first, where to find official information, and what to expect. It is a starting point – always check the linked official sources, because rules, prices and opening hours change.

Important: This guide is general orientation. It is not legal, tax or insurance advice and does not replace the information of the authorities. Last checked: October 2026.

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First steps after you arrive

1. Register your address (Anmeldung)

Everyone who moves into a flat in Germany must register the new address at the local registration office (Meldebehörde) within two weeks of moving in. It is free. You need your passport or ID and the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung – a confirmation of your move-in that your landlord completes. Ask your landlord for it early, because you cannot register without it.

Official pages: Erlangen (appointment by phone +49 9131 86-1616 or online) · Nürnberg (online registration possible with the eID card and the AusweisApp) · Fürth (digital via the federal portal wohnsitzanmeldung.gov.de or by appointment) · Herzogenaurach (Bürgerbüro, Marktplatz 11, phone +49 9132 901-176, online booking). Check opening hours on the city websites.

2. Welcome services for newcomers

Several cities and institutions run welcome services for international newcomers: Herzogenaurach publishes a bilingual newcomer guide (German/English), Nürnberg has a Welcome Service with a brochure for skilled workers from abroad, and the FAU Welcome Center supports international researchers in Erlangen. Ask your employer’s HR team which services they offer.

3. Health insurance

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Most employees are insured in the statutory system (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) if their income is below the annual income threshold (€77,400 in 2026); above it, private insurance can be an option. Your employer’s HR or payroll team usually explains the first steps. The Federal Ministry of Health publishes an official guide to health insurance. We do not recommend or compare insurance providers.

4. Public transport

The VGN (Verkehrsverbund Großraum Nürnberg) covers Nürnberg, Fürth, Erlangen and Herzogenaurach. The Deutschlandticket costs €63 per month since January 2026 (VGN information). The free VGN Fahrplan & Tickets app shows live departures and sells tickets. Note: Herzogenaurach has no rail connection – you travel by bus, bike or car.

Prices as of October 2026. Always check the official VGN website for current prices.

Family, language and housing

5. Schools and childcare

Bavarian children start in the Grundschule (primary school, grades 1–4) and then move to the Mittelschule, Realschule or Gymnasium – see the Bavarian Ministry of Education overview. Children who arrive without German can join special transition classes (Übergangsklassen). Ask the local school authority how and when schooling starts for your child. An English-language option in the region is the Franconian International School in Erlangen (International Baccalaureate); we mention it for orientation, not as a recommendation.

Childcare: children from age one have a legal claim to a childcare place. Erlangen registers places through the Kitafinder, Nürnberg has its own Kita portal. Places can be scarce – apply early.

6. Learning German

The adult education centres (Volkshochschule, VHS) offer German courses, including officially recognised integration courses: VHS Erlangen, VHS Herzogenaurach, VHS Fürth and the Bildungszentrum Nürnberg. Course fees and eligibility vary – ask the VHS and ask your employer whether it supports language courses.

7. Housing basics

A security deposit (Mietkaution) may be at most three months of net cold rent and can be paid in three instalments. For rental flats, the person who commissions the agent normally pays the agent’s commission – so tenants usually pay no commission when the landlord has commissioned the agent. Landlords commonly ask for ID, proof of income and often a credit report (Schufa). A detailed housing guide will follow.

Looking for a furnished flat or a WG room in Erlangen? See our rental apartments and send a non-binding request with your budget and move-in date.

8. Everyday rules and emergency numbers

Broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag): €18.36 per month per flat (not per person). If nobody has paid for your flat yet, you must register it at rundfunkbeitrag.de.

Emergency numbers (free, all of Germany): 112 fire brigade and ambulance · 110 police · 116 117 medical on-call service for urgent, non-life-threatening cases (Bavarian emergency services).

Four places, one region

Herzogenaurach is the home of adidas and PUMA, and Schaeffler is based here. It has no rail connection. Read our Herzogenaurach guide.

Erlangen is a university city (FAU) with a large research and technology community. Childcare is registered through the Kitafinder.

Fürth lies between Erlangen and Nürnberg and offers digital address registration.

Nürnberg is the region’s largest city, with its own Welcome Service for skilled workers from abroad.

Not sure where to live? Tell us about your job location, family and budget – we are happy to help, in English, German or Hindi. Get in touch

Facts as of October 2026 from the cities’ official websites.

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SS Real Estate und Dienstleistungsgesellschaft

Great Minds Consulting

Licensed real estate broker (§ 34c GewO)
Am Europakanal 40, 91056 Erlangen, Germany

Phone: +49 176 4173 1628
Email: sshrivastava@greatmindsconsulting.eu

Financing and renovation services are provided by independent partners we introduce – all advice and contracts are made directly with the respective provider.