How long does it take to get a German tax ID?

At a glance

Application needed

No — it follows automatically from registration

Issued by

Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt)

Delivery

By post to your registered address

Typical wait

Usually a few weeks after registering

Lost it?

Request a re-notification from the tax office

Why it can be late

• The address registration itself was late, so the trigger came later.
• The letter was delivered to an old address, or to a shared letterbox without your name on it.
• Your name on the letterbox does not match the name in the register.
• You were registered as part of a family and the letters arrived separately.

What to do if you need it before it arrives

Tell your employer that the number is pending. Without it, payroll may apply a higher provisional deduction, which is corrected once the number is entered — you generally do not lose the money, but the first payslips are lighter.

You can also request the number from the Federal Central Tax Office or ask your local tax office, which can look it up for you against your identity documents.

Common mistakes

• Confusing the lifelong tax identification number with the tax number issued for a business or freelance activity.
• Assuming the employer can obtain it for you.
• Not putting your name on the letterbox, so the letter is returned.

What happens next

• Give the number to your employer so payroll uses the correct tax class.
• Any over-deduction from the first months is normally corrected in payroll or through your tax return.
• Keep the letter: the number stays with you for life and is asked for repeatedly.

Related questions

Is the tax ID the same as the tax number?

No. The identification number is personal and permanent. A Steuernummer is issued by a local tax office in connection with a business or freelance activity.

Can I start work without it?

Generally yes, but payroll may deduct more until the number is on file, and the difference is settled afterwards.

What if I lose the letter?

Ask for the number to be re-issued in writing. It is not sent by email or over the phone, for data protection reasons.

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