Overview: What you should do after arriving in Germany

Immediately after arrival (within the first week)

Move into your accommodation

As soon as you arrive in Germany, you should move into your accommodation. Make sure that you have received all the necessary documents such as the rental contract and keys.

Register with the residents' registration office

Within the first week of your arrival, you must register with the residents' registration office (‘Einwohnermeldeamt’) in your city. Registration is important in order to obtain a registration certificate, which you will need for many other steps.

You will need the following to register:

• An appointment at the residents' registration office. You can usually arrange this directly online.
• Your passport (with visa if applicable) or identity card 
• The rental contract or a confirmation from the landlord

If not already done: Take out health insurance

You also need health insurance so that you can enroll at your university. Once you have taken out insurance with us, we will send your confirmation of insurance (M10) to your university.

You can become a member with us in just five minutes. 

Switching from private to statutory health insurance

If you were previously privately insured, you have the option of switching to statutory health insurance. However, you can only switch at the beginning of your studies. The decision is then valid for the rest of your studies and can no longer be changed.
The next opportunity to switch from private to statutory health insurance is after completing your studies. This can be done, for example, by taking up employment subject to social insurance contributions. Working student employment during your studies is not subject to social insurance contributions and therefore does not meet the requirements.

Bafög attestation

Certificate of insurance for students

You can request the certificate of insurance here. We will process your request and send the notification of your insurance status directly to the selected university. Use your DAK App login details to access this. You must have registered in DAK App beforehand to do this. Don't hesitate to contact us if you need help.

Within the first two weeks

Enrollment at the university

Enrollment is the official process of registering as a student at your university. Exactly what you need to enroll depends on your university. 

You will normally need the following for enrollment:

• Your admission certificate
• Your passport or identity card 
• Your registration certificate (you will receive this at your appointment at the residents' registration office (see above)) 
• Your health insurance certificate (or proof that your health insurance is valid in Germany). If you become a member of DAK–Gesundheit, we will forward your insurance status to your university (M10). 

After enrollment, you will receive confirmation of registration (matriculation certificate). This is an important document that you will need elsewhere. 

Information for your health insurance company

Opening of a bank account

A German bank account is essential to pay rent, tuition fees and other expenses. Visit a bank of your choice and open an account. Of course, you can also do this online. 

To open an account, you will normally need:

• Your passport (or identity card)
• Your registration certificate

In some cases, you will need your matriculation certificate

Within the first two to three months

For students from non-EU countries: Application for a residence permit

You must apply for a residence permit within the first three months of your arrival. This applies if you arrived with a visa as well as if you do not need a visa because you are from Australia or the USA, for example. To do this, make an appointment at the immigration office. It is important that you apply for the residence permit while your visa is valid.

To apply for a residence permit, you need:

• An appointment at the immigration office (can often be booked directly online)
• Your passport 
• Your visa
• Your registration certificate (which you received at the residents' registration office)
• Your health insurance certificate
• Your matriculation certificate 
• Proof that you can finance your living expenses in Germany from your own resources.

Now nothing should stand in the way of you settling in Germany.

Living in Germany

• Take part in introductory events at the university. Many universities offer introductory events for first semester and international students. You will quickly get to know people here. It's best to check your university's website.
• Attend language courses: It is helpful to learn German in order to cope better with everyday life. Your university will certainly offer language courses. 
• Use German: Even if your German is not good, use it. This is the only way to improve it. 
• Make phone calls: In Germany, you can make cheap phone calls with a SIM card. You have the option of taking out a contract or buying a prepaid card.
• Transportation: Germany has a dense transportation network. You can get around the entire country by bike, bus or train. Students often have a semester ticket from their university, which allows them to use the city's public transport free of charge.
• Internet and mail: Whether in a residence hall, shared flat, university, library or Internet café, there are many ways to access the internet. Letters and parcels are mostly sent by Deutsche Post.
• Shopping: You can shop inexpensively at discount stores. You can also save a lot of money with a student ID card, whether for the cinema, swimming pool or museum.
• Doctors and pharmacies: Germany has a dense network of well-trained doctors. Whether you have a toothache or other complaints, there are trained specialists for every area who you can visit in their practice. Use our doctor search to find a suitable medical practice.
• Hospitals: In Germany, you go to hospital in an emergency or if specialist treatment is not sufficient. In an emergency, dial 112.
• Medication: You can get medication from a pharmacy; some medications are prescribed by your doctor, others you can buy freely from the pharmacy.

We hope that this guide will help you to settle in quickly and well in Germany. DAK–Gesundheit wishes you a successful start to your studies and a wonderful time in Germany!