Getting your visa approved is only the first step. What happens after you arrive matters just as much — and many workers arrive unprepared for the administrative and practical steps that follow.
Many workers invest months into the application process — documents, permits, visas — and then arrive in a new country without knowing what to do next. The first few weeks after arrival are critical for establishing your legal status, your housing, and your ability to work and live comfortably.
This guide walks through the key steps of the first month, so nothing gets missed.
Before You Travel: Final Checklist
Before leaving for Europe, confirm you have the following:
- Valid passport with visa stamp — check that visa dates and entry type are correct
- Work permit confirmation document — carry printed and digital copies
- Signed employment contract
- Confirmed accommodation address and contact
- Direct contact for your employer’s HR department
- Health insurance documents
- Local currency or accessible card — enough cash for the first few days
Keep all documents together in a physical folder and a digital backup. Both will be needed during your first weeks.
Week 1: Arrival and Registration
Your first priority is administrative — establishing your legal presence in the country.
- Register your address — most EU countries require registration at the local municipal office within 3–10 days of arrival. The timeframe and the name of the office vary by country: Gmina in Poland, Einwohnermeldeamt in Germany, Ohlašovna in Czech Republic.
- Obtain your registration document — this is required to open a bank account, access healthcare, and complete employment records
- Check in with your employer’s HR — confirm your start date, working hours, and any onboarding paperwork. In Germany, your employer is now also required to provide written information about free legal advisory services on your first working day.
- Verify accommodation conditions — confirm the housing matches what was agreed; raise any discrepancies immediately and in writing
If any registration step is unclear, contact your employer’s HR or your immigration intermediary. Missing the registration deadline can create complications with permit renewals.
Week 2: Practical Setup
Once administrative registration is complete, focus on practical setup:
- Open a local bank account — required for salary payments in most countries; you will need your registration document and passport
- Confirm your tax registration — your employer may handle this, but confirm it is done within your first two weeks
- Get a local SIM card — essential for communication, navigation, and work coordination
- Locate essential services — pharmacy, grocery store, medical clinic, public transport
- Confirm healthcare access — understand how your insurance works in the destination country and how to use it
Your employer or HR should assist with bank account setup and tax registration. If they don’t offer this proactively, ask directly.
Week 3–4: Work Routine and Adaptation
By the third week you should be settled into your work routine. Focus on:
- Understanding your employment rights — working hours, rest periods, overtime, holiday entitlement under local labour law
- Checking your first payslip — verify the amount, deductions, and payment method against your contract
- Addressing any language challenges — if communication at work is difficult, raise it with your employer early; many employers in shortage sectors provide basic language support
- Building social connections — workers who establish connections with colleagues adapt faster and stay longer
If anything doesn’t match the agreed conditions — salary, hours, accommodation — raise it with your employer in writing within the first month. This is the appropriate window to address discrepancies before they become harder to resolve.
Common Post-Arrival Problems and How to Handle Them
- Accommodation doesn’t match what was promised — document the condition in writing and notify your employer and intermediary immediately
- Salary paid late or incorrect amount — check your contract terms and escalate in writing; do not wait
- Role or hours changed from what was agreed — compare against your signed contract; any changes require your written agreement
- Difficulty registering due to address issues — your employer is responsible for ensuring you have an address that allows proper legal registration
Most problems can be resolved if raised early. Leaving issues unaddressed in the first month makes them significantly harder to resolve later — and may affect your permit status.
When to Contact Your Immigration Intermediary
If you worked with an immigration intermediary to manage your placement, keep their contact details accessible after arrival. Contact them if:
- Your address registration is refused or delayed
- There is a discrepancy between your permit documents and the actual job
- Your employer does not follow through on accommodation or salary commitments
- You receive any formal notices from immigration or labour authorities
A reputable intermediary supports candidates through post-arrival issues — not only until the visa is issued.
Working with a Partner Who Supports Candidates Beyond Arrival
We provide end-to-end placement support — including post-arrival guidance for candidates and structured communication for recruitment agency partners throughout the placement period.
