Things to do when moving to Germany as a student
Congratulations for getting admission in a German University. You must be wondering about the next steps. Don’t worry! We got you covered.
In this guide, you’ll learn the things you need to do when moving to Germany as an international student.
Prepare to move to Germany from your home country
1
Documentation
Apply for a student visa
You need a visa to move to Germany. What type of visa you need depends on your nationality. You must apply for one (if required) once you get the admission letter from your university. You can find the information about student visa and the process on the German embassy’s website of your home country.
Translate documents before moving to Germany
You must translate and attest all your documents into English if they are not in English or German. You must do it before moving to Germany. It can save you a lot of time and money.
2
Health Insurance
Apply for health insurance before moving to Germany
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. You also need one when applying for the student visa. There are different types of health insurance in Germany: public, private, and expat.
You should know which health insurance you can and should take. For example, students who are EU citizens don’t need German health insurance. They can continue using their home country’s health insurance after moving to Germany.
You should know which health insurance you can and should take. For example, students who are EU citizens don’t need German health insurance. They can continue using their home country’s health insurance after moving to Germany.
Health Insurance Finder
Finding the right health insurance may get overwhelming. So we developed “Health Insurance Finder” tool. You can use it to check which health insurance best fits your needs.
Get travel health insurance
You should get travel health insurance until you get normal German health insurance. Travel health insurance is inexpensive. It can protect you from breaking the bank if you have an accident or are sick in Germany.
3
Banking
Open a blocked account
To get a student visa, you must prove you have enough money to support your stay in Germany. The easiest way to do this is to open a blocked account and deposit at least 11,905€ (as of 2025).
Free credit card
The debit card you’ll get after opening a blocked account would be enough to make everyday purchases. However, many websites, such as flight booking websites, only accept credit cards. Thus, you should get a credit card from your home country or Germany.
To get a credit card in Germany, you must first have a registered address here. Once you are a resident of Germany, you have two options for getting a credit card.
1. Open a free bank account with N26* or C24*. You’ll get a MasterCard debit card. You can use it for online purchases on websites requesting a credit card.
2. Get a free student credit card. You can compare the credit cards here*.
To get a credit card in Germany, you must first have a registered address here. Once you are a resident of Germany, you have two options for getting a credit card.
1. Open a free bank account with N26* or C24*. You’ll get a MasterCard debit card. You can use it for online purchases on websites requesting a credit card.
2. Get a free student credit card. You can compare the credit cards here*.
4
Renting in Germany
Find a rental property
Finding a rental property in Germany is tough. It takes people living in Germany months to find a property. So, finding one when you are not here is even tougher. Read our guide to learn the tips and tricks and improve your chances.
Beware of rental scams
Finding a rental property in Germany is difficult, so scammers take advantage of this. Many students fall for these tricks. Educate yourself about these scams and how you can protect yourself against them.
Mistakes expats make when living in a rental property
Every country has a different culture, beliefs, and way of living. Germany is no different. Learn these cultural aspects of Germany before moving here. This can make your journey to settle in Germany much easier.
Your rights as a tenant in Germany
Many people take advantage of expats who recently moved to Germany. The reason is expats don’t know their rights. So, don’t let anyone fool you. Know your rights as a tenant and exercise them.
5
Things you should know about Germany
Start learning the language
German is the official language in Germany. Although many speak English, you still need German to integrate, find jobs, and navigate the bureaucracy. So, you should start learning the language to make your move to Germany comfortable.
You can join German courses in your home country. If that’s not possible, you can join the online courses that Lingoda* offers.
You can join German courses in your home country. If that’s not possible, you can join the online courses that Lingoda* offers.
Dos and Don’ts in Germany
Before moving to Germany, learn about its culture. It’ll help you integrate and settle in Germany faster.
Don’t make these mistakes
Germans take rules and regulations seriously. Thus, knowing them before you come to Germany can save you from embarrassment and money. Learn from the expats living in Germany for many years and have made their fair share of mistakes.
Common scams in Germany
The number of scams has increased in Germany. Scammers are becoming sophisticated, making it difficult to identify a scam. So, you should be aware of the common scams that are active. This way, you’ll be on guard when you experience something similar in Germany.
6
Shopping in Germany
Electronics
MediaMarkt, Saturn, Conrad, Cyberport, Alternate, Expert
Clothes
Budget-Friendly: Primark, KiK, Takko Fashion, C&A
Mid-Range: H&M, Zara, Esprit, s.Oliver
Premium: Hugo Boss, Marc O’Polo, Massimo Dutti, Tommy Hilfiger
Mid-Range: H&M, Zara, Esprit, s.Oliver
Premium: Hugo Boss, Marc O’Polo, Massimo Dutti, Tommy Hilfiger
Winter jackets & sport wear
Budget-Friendly: Decathlon, KiK, C&A, Takko Fashion
Mid-Range: Intersport
Premium: The North Face, Jack Wolfskin, Woolrich, Globetrotter
Mid-Range: Intersport
Premium: The North Face, Jack Wolfskin, Woolrich, Globetrotter
Shoes
Budget-Friendly: Deichmann, Zalando Lounge, Shoe4You
Mid-Range: Snipes, Reno, Tamaris, Footlocker, Amazon
Premium: Globetrotter, Mcarthurglen, Outletcity Metzingen
Mid-Range: Snipes, Reno, Tamaris, Footlocker, Amazon
Premium: Globetrotter, Mcarthurglen, Outletcity Metzingen
Home and construction
Ikea for the best price-performance ratio.
Budget-Friendly: Jysk, POCO, Roller, and XXXLutz.
Mid-range to Premium: Möbel Höffner, Porta, Home24.
You can also buy furniture online on the websites of these chains or Amazon.
You can find DIY home stuff at OBI, Hornbach, Toom, and Bauhaus.
Budget-Friendly: Jysk, POCO, Roller, and XXXLutz.
Mid-range to Premium: Möbel Höffner, Porta, Home24.
You can also buy furniture online on the websites of these chains or Amazon.
You can find DIY home stuff at OBI, Hornbach, Toom, and Bauhaus.
Medicine
Pharmacies (Apotheke in German) are open from 08:00 to 18:00 (Monday to Friday) and 08:00 to 12:00 (Saturday). Some pharmacies are open longer and even on Sundays.
You can also buy medicine online on websites such as Shop Apotheke, Apodiscounter, etc.
You can also buy medicine online on websites such as Shop Apotheke, Apodiscounter, etc.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs: You don’t need a doctor’s prescription. You pay for it yourself. Public health insurance doesn’t cover the costs, but good private health insurance tariffs do.
- Prescribed medicine: You need a doctor’s prescription. Your health insurance policy covers the costs. However, you may have to pay 5€ to 10€ if you have public health insurance.
Big online shops
Amazon*, Ebay, Zalando, Breuninger
Things you must do when you land in Germany
1
Bureaucracy
Register yourself at local office
Registration in Germany is informing the local authorities that you now live at this address. It’s legally required.
Tax ID and Number
Once you register yourself at the local office, you’ll receive your tax id and tax number from the tax office (Finanzamt in German). You need this if you start a student job or self-employment during your studies.
NOTE: You pay taxes in Germany on all forms of income. Thus, don’t forget to file a tax return if you have an income.
NOTE: You pay taxes in Germany on all forms of income. Thus, don’t forget to file a tax return if you have an income.
Get German health insurance
If you don’t have the German health insurance, get one. Depending on your course and age, you can get public or private health insurance. For most people public health insurance is the right choice.
We find TK to be best public health insurance for international students in Germany.
We find TK to be best public health insurance for international students in Germany.
Get personal liability insurance
Taking personal liability insurance is not required by law. However, highly recommended. In Germany, you are liable for your actions. Suppose you cause damage to a third party, you are liable to pay the costs.
Private liability insurance covers the cost in such scenarios. So, once you move to Germany, you must get personal liability insurance. You can get a personal liability insurance plan for under 50 euros per annum.
The rating agencies in Germany rated the liability insurance plans from Die Haftpflichtkasse among the best. You can get personal liability insurance policies via comparison portals like Check24* and Verivox*.
Private liability insurance covers the cost in such scenarios. So, once you move to Germany, you must get personal liability insurance. You can get a personal liability insurance plan for under 50 euros per annum.
The rating agencies in Germany rated the liability insurance plans from Die Haftpflichtkasse among the best. You can get personal liability insurance policies via comparison portals like Check24* and Verivox*.
Radio tax
Once you register at the Rathaus, you’ll receive a letter to pay the radio tax. Each household in Germany pays a radio tax, regardless of whether they use the radio.
If you are living in a student apartment, you might not have to pay the radio tax. However, if you live in any other property, radio tax is due.
NOTE: Radio tax is levied per household. So, if you are living in a shared apartment, only one of the tenants must pay the raido tax.
If you are living in a student apartment, you might not have to pay the radio tax. However, if you live in any other property, radio tax is due.
NOTE: Radio tax is levied per household. So, if you are living in a shared apartment, only one of the tenants must pay the raido tax.
2
Sim card and Internet
Get a sim card
You can buy sim card online or from stores like (Lidl, Saturn, etc.) once you move to Germany. If your phone is compatible with eSIM, you can order eSIM online.
You have the option to get prepaid or postpaid plans. Usually, postpaid plans are cheaper than prepaid.
O2, Vodafone, and Telekom are the biggest telecom providers in Germany. You can compare the cell phone plans on Check24* and Verivox*
You have the option to get prepaid or postpaid plans. Usually, postpaid plans are cheaper than prepaid.
O2, Vodafone, and Telekom are the biggest telecom providers in Germany. You can compare the cell phone plans on Check24* and Verivox*
Internet
The Internet is one of the basic necessities you can’t live without. Student apartments or rooms in Germany come with an internet connection. However, if you rent an apartment from a private individual, you might have to get an internet connection of your own.
Usually, the internet connection in Germany comes with a contract of 24 months. However, it’s fine as you can take your internet plan with you when you move to a new apartment in the same or different city.
You can compare the internet plans on Check24* and Verivox*
Usually, the internet connection in Germany comes with a contract of 24 months. However, it’s fine as you can take your internet plan with you when you move to a new apartment in the same or different city.
You can compare the internet plans on Check24* and Verivox*
3
Electricity and Heating
Get electricity contract (if required)
German rent is composed of cold rent and utility costs. Sometimes, utility costs include electricity and heating, and sometimes they don’t.
If your rental contract doesn’t include electricity costs, you must get an electricity contract on your own. You can compare the offers on Check24* and choose the cheapest offer.
If your rental contract doesn’t include electricity costs, you must get an electricity contract on your own. You can compare the offers on Check24* and choose the cheapest offer.
Gas contract (if required)
Like electricity, you might need to get a gas contract (for heating). You can compare the offers on Check24* and choose the cheapest offer.
4
Transportation
Monthly or semester pass
Students can buy the discounted monthly or semester passes to use the public transport. The price of the monthly passes is different for every city.
You can also buy a Germany wide ticket (Deutschland Ticket) for 58€ per month (as of 2025). With this ticket you can use public transport for free across Germany.
NOTE: You cannot travel in ICE with the Deutschland Ticket.
You can also buy a Germany wide ticket (Deutschland Ticket) for 58€ per month (as of 2025). With this ticket you can use public transport for free across Germany.
NOTE: You cannot travel in ICE with the Deutschland Ticket.