EU / EEA / Switzerland
No German student visa or residence permit is required for free movement. You still complete local steps after arrival.
Steps
- Admission — Zulassungsbescheid from a German university.
- Travel — National ID or EU passport.
- Housing — Address and rental contract.
- Anmeldung — Within 14 days: register at the Bürgeramt with passport and Wohnungsgeberbestätigung.
- Health cover — EHIC or German statutory/public insurance as required.
- Enrollment — At university with admission, Anmeldung proof, and insurance.
Non-EU
Most third-country nationals need a National D visa for study before entry. Some nationalities may enter visa-free for short stays but must still meet financial and residence-permit rules—confirm for your passport.
Steps
- Admission from a recognised institution.
- Blocked account (Sperrkonto) — Typically €11,904 for 2025/2026; monthly payout about €992 once in Germany; scholarship letter can replace this if official.
- Insurance — Travel cover for arrival + German student health insurance.
- VIDEX — Complete national visa form online and print.
- Appointment — Embassy/consulate: documents, biometrics, €75 fee (verify current).
- Entry — D visa often valid 3–6 months.
- Local steps — Housing, Anmeldung, enrollment (same as EU).
- Aufenthaltstitel — Before the entry visa expires, apply at the Ausländerbehörde for a student residence permit (often 1–2 years).
Embassy checklist (originals + 2 copies typical)
- Passport, VIDEX form, 2 biometric photos, admission letter, blocked-account or scholarship proof, transcripts/diplomas, insurance proof, language proof (often B2+), motivation letter.
Official links
Go deeper
Official German/EU sources only — amounts and deadlines change; confirm before you file or pay.
Registration and tax ID
Anmeldung at the local citizens’ office; Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord. Steuer-ID arrives by post after registration. Use ELSTER for online tax communication.
Study, visa, residence title
Check uni-assist, Hochschulstart for admissions; BAföG student funding portal. Non-EU: apply for your residence permit at the Foreigners’ Authority before the entry visa expires.
Go deeper
Operational detail and official links—amounts and deadlines change; always confirm on the competent portal before filing or paying.
Tax ID & digital identity
Steuer-ID
Your 11-digit personal tax identification number is usually issued after your first address registration and mailed by your tax office. You need it for payroll, banking, and tax returns.
BundID / eID
Federal online services increasingly use BundID and the German eID card where supported.
Passport / residence title
Non-EU nationals need a valid passport and residence permit aligned with your purpose (study, work, etc.).
Address registration (Anmeldung)
Within 14 days
Register at the Bürgeramt with your ID and the landlord’s Wohnungsgeberbestätigung.
Immigration office
Permit renewals and changes are handled by the local Ausländerbehörde—book early.
Study & qualifications
DAAD & uni-assist
Funding, language requirements, and applications—often via uni-assist for international applicants.
anabin
Official-style database for foreign school/university certificates—always confirm with your institution.
Health insurance (orientation)
Employees typically join a statutory health fund (GKV); students and special cases follow different rules—clarify before your first payroll day or enrolment.
University fees, local taxes, and public transport passes differ by Bundesland—check your state and city portals.
This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.