FAQ - Arrival: The First Days
The following information will help you, when you have just arrived in Darmstadt. You can get information about your visa and the next steps you should take.
- Within 14 days after your entry, you have to register at the local residents’ registration office (“Einwohnermeldeamt”) for your place of residence.
- For registering or changing your address, you will need a “Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung” (i.e. housing provider confirmation), which must be filled out by your landlord.
- If you do not have an accommodation so far, the residents’ registration and the immigration office also accept a “Wohnungsgeberbestätigung” from hotels or hostels, for a short period of time.
Please be aware: Without accommodation, no registration at the residents' registration office; without registration, no appointment at the immigration office; without an appointment at the immigration office, no residence permit; without a residence permit, no work permit.
You can find more information about each topic below or on the on the website of the Darmstadt Immigration Office.
- You have to pay the semester fee before enrolling. (Therefore, please consider the semester dates and re-registration deadlines of your university).
- You can either deposit the amount at a bank (subject to a fee) or transfer it from a bank account.
- Do not transfer money from your home country, as it can be expensive and often takes a long time.
- You need to open a German bank account (“Girokonto”) to transfer the semester fee and set up a blocked account.
- Many banks offer free accounts for students.
- Attention:
- Overdrawing your current account often results in high fees.
- Withdrawing money at ATMs, which do not belong to your bank, often costs a fee of several Euros.
- If banks offer overdraft credit, they often have very high interest rates.
- ATMs (withdrawing cash): Make sure to check beforehand where you can withdraw cash from your bank.
- To open a bank account, you need the following documents: passport, enrolment certificate, registration confirmation (you will get this at the residents’ registration).
- For regular payments (e.g., rent, health insurance contributions, phone bills, etc.), it is recommended to set up a standing order or to authorize a direct debit.
- A valid health insurance is a prerequisite for enrolment!
- There are statutory and private health insurances.
- A statutory health insurance is recommended. Usually this costs about 140 € per month (for students under 30 years old).
- Attention: Private health insurances do not always cover all medical services and may not be accepted by the immigration office. Additionally, medical services and medications often need to be paid in advance. The German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studierendenwerk) has made a framework agreement with UNION Insurance Services for students who cannot be insured with statutory health insurances. More information can be found here.
Register at the residents’ registration office (“Einwohnermeldeamt”) as soon as possible. Only then will the immigration office (“Ausländerbehörde”) be informed that you have arrived in Germany.
- Before your entry visa expires, you must apply for a residence permit for study purpose at the immigration office. If you entered without a visa, you must apply for a residence permit within 90 days of your arrival.
- The following groups offer to send a person with you, who can translate for you: