PCS to Wiesbaden – Complete Checklist

Getting orders to Wiesbaden is good news: a walkable European city, a strong American community around Clay Kaserne, Hainerberg and Aukamm, and Frankfurt Airport 30 minutes away. Here's the timeline that keeps your move smooth.

4–6 months out

• Confirm your orders and DEROS and start the overseas screening process for every family member.
• Passports: apply for no-fee government passports for dependents; consider tourist passports too for European travel.
• Pets: Germany requires an ISO microchip and a rabies vaccination given after the chip, at least 21 days before entry. Book pet-friendly housing early — it's the scarcest category.
• Start your housing search. You can legally sign a lease before arriving; look for furnished apartments with a military clause so PCS or deployment orders let you terminate early.

2–3 months out

• Schedule your household goods shipment (HHG) and decide what goes into long-term storage. Furnished apartments mean you can ship far less.
• Take live video tours of your shortlisted apartments — never wire money for a place you haven't seen at least on video, and only rent from verifiable landlords.
• Check OHA rates for Wiesbaden at your rank so your rent plus utilities stays inside the allowance.

2–4 weeks out

• Book Temporary Lodging (TLA) for your arrival window if your apartment isn't ready on day one.
• Flights & pet bookings: in summer, pet cargo space sells out — book early.
• Power of attorney & documents: carry leases, orders, vaccination records and birth certificates in your hand luggage.

First week in Wiesbaden

1. In-process and visit the Housing Office — bring your lease for review if you signed off-base housing.
2. City registration (Anmeldung): SOFA-status personnel are generally exempt from German residence registration — confirm your specific case with the legal office; civilians and contractors may need to register at the Bürgeramt.
3. Set up a German bank account or Wise/USAA setup for EUR payments like rent.
4. Get your USAREUR driver's license and sort vehicle registration.

A furnished, all-inclusive apartment removes half this list: no utility contracts, no furniture shipment, no internet installation appointments. That's exactly why we run them.