Nordrhein-Westfalen Expat Guide

Last updated: 2026-05-03

Nordrhein-Westfalen is Germany's most populous state and the most common destination for arriving expats. Major hubs include Düsseldorf, Köln, Bonn, Aachen, Essen, and Dortmund.

17 cities covered in NRW

Each city page has direct links to the local Bürgeramt, Ausländerbehörde, Finanzamt, and a step-by-step roadmap from visa application to integration course.

About this guide. Relocation Roadmap is a free, independent directory for expats moving to Germany. We don't take affiliate fees, we don't sell your data, and we're not affiliated with any government agency. Content is maintained from public-source government links and validated through user feedback (the 👍/👎 buttons on city pages). For complex cases involving regulated professions, family reunification, or asylum, consult a qualified migration counsellor or lawyer.