🎓 Student Tips for Life in Germany

Within 14 days of moving in, register your address at your local Bürgeramt to receive your Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate). You'll need it for almost everything: opening a bank account, getting your tax ID, signing a phone contract and enrolling at university. Book your appointment online as early as you can, slots in Berlin fill up fast.

Health insurance is mandatory to enrol at any German university. Most students under 30 choose public insurance (such as TK, AOK or Barmer) at a reduced student rate of roughly €120 a month; others go private. Arrange it before enrolment and keep your confirmation letter handy.

You'll need a local account for rent, your salary and everyday payments. Free online banks are quick to set up, while traditional banks (Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank) offer in-person support. Many banks have free student accounts, so ask when you sign up.

The Deutschlandticket gives you unlimited regional public transport across all of Germany for one flat monthly fee, excellent value for students. Some universities also include a semester ticket in your fees. Always carry a valid ticket, fare checks are common and fines are steep.

Plan for rent, insurance, food and transport. Shop at discount supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, Netto and Penny, cook at home, and always ask for student discounts, many museums, gyms, cinemas and software offer them with a valid student ID.

As a student you can work part-time to support yourself, but non-EU students have a yearly limit on working days, and these rules change. Check the current limit on the official Make it in Germany website before you start. Mini-jobs and working-student roles are popular options.

Prepaid SIMs (such as Aldi Talk or congstar) are cheap, flexible and need no long contract, ideal when you first arrive. Once you're settled with an address and bank account, you can switch to a monthly contract for more data if you need it.

Keep your passport, visa or residence permit, enrolment certificate, insurance and Anmeldung together, and make digital copies. You'll be asked for these often in your first months, and replacements can be slow to obtain.

Even basic German makes daily life and job-hunting much easier and helps you feel at home faster. Start with everyday phrases and build up from there. See our Learn German page for resources.