In addition to the administration that is required before you leave for Germany, there are certain formalities that need to be taken care of in the first few days after your arrival in Germany.


Registration

Each individual who comes to live in a German town or city, whether they are German themselves or foreign, must register with the relevant authorities within 7 days of their arrival. To register, you must go to the residence registration office (“Einwohnermeldeamt”) in the local town hall, either in Erlangen, Nuremberg or Fürth, depending upon where you will be living:

  • City of Erlangen, Town Hall (“Rathaus”), Rathausplatz 1, Erlangen,
  • Landratsamt Erlangen-Höchstadt, Marktplatz 6, 91054 Erlangen,
  • Nuremberg Residence Registration Office & Foreign Nationals Authority,
  • Äußere Laufer Gasse 25 (Near Rathenauplatz), Nürnberg, www.einwohneramt.nuernberg.de,
  • Fürth Citizens’ Office (“Bürgeramt”), Schwabacher Straße 170, 90763 Fürth.

Registration is possible only when you have a fixed address in the area. The address of a youth hostel or guesthouse is not sufficient. On registration you will be given a receipt confirming that you have registered ("Meldebestätigung"). You will require this receipt later to enrol at the university and for various other administrative formalities. Please keep the receipt in a safe place!

 

Opening a bank account

We recommend that you open a German bank account. You will often need to make transfers, for example, to pay your tuition fees, rent, health insurance contributions and this is easier and cheaper from a German account. You can open an account with any German commercial bank. Students do not usually have to pay for their account. A charge may be made for issuing an EC card depending on the bank.

 

Student health & care insurance

General information

All students (German and international) must obtain compulsory health insurance. You can choose from a variety of companies that provide health insurance, for example AOK, TKK. The monthly premium to health and care insurance for students is appr. 64,00 Euros.

After you have obtained the statutory health insurance, for example by AOK, you will receive an insurance certificate, which you need for enrollment.

More insurance options

International students with a health and care insurance of their home-country:

If students have a European health insurance (EHIC) which is valid in Germany, they do not need a statutory health insurance from Germany, but they can obtain the german statutory health and care insurance.

In such cases you should contact one of the statutory health insurance companies, which will issue you a certificate of enrollment. They will also advise you if your existing insurance benefits are sufficient for Germany.

Note: Without the necessary insurance certificate, enrollment at the University is NOT possible.

Privat insured students

If Students have private health insurance coverage from Germany or from foreign countries which is valid in Germany, it is possible that students can be exempt from the statutory health and care insurance. This exemption may be obtained at any public health insurance in Germany, for example at AOK.

However, in this case it is important to note that an exemption from the statutory health and care insurance for the entire duration of the studies is not revocable. A return to the statutory health and care insurance is then excluded.

Note: Without the necessary insurance certificate, enrollment at the University is NOT possible.

Students whose family have statutory health insurance

Students whose family have a statutory health insurance can be insured for free until their 25th Birthday by the parents or by the husband with no time limit. The prerequisite is that you don't have an income higher than EUR 365 per month or of a so-called minor employment you don't have an income higher than EUR 400. For male students the age limit could be extended for the time military or civilian service. (as of 2010) 

Note: Without the necessary insurance certificate, enrollment at the University is NOT possible.

Private Health Insurance

The following people are not eligible for statutory health insurance cover:

  • Visiting students
  • Participants on German language courses
  • Students older than 30 years
  • Students who have been studying a subject for more than 14 semesters

In such cases, you will need confirmation of your exemption from health insurance in order to register with the University. You will obtain this at a statutory health insurance provider ("gesetzliche Krankenkasse").

If you fall into one of the above categories, you may only apply for private health insurance cover. The monthly contributions are somewhat higher, between EUR 60 and EUR 80 per month. If you take out private health insurance, you will need confirmation of exemption from a statutory health insurance provider, for example AOK.

Private personal liability insurance ("Privathaftpflicht")

The German legal principle of liability means that you are personally liable for any damage that you cause to persons or property. Accidents can happen easily and may have costly consequences - you might break a window, knock over a vase in a shop or cause an accident involving a pedestrian or cyclist. If a person is injured as a result of an accident that you have caused, you are liable not only for material damages, but also for compensation, hospital and rehabilitation costs and for the loss of earnings of the injured party. It is, therefore, advisable to take out personal liability insurance to cover the potential costs of an.

The part about the Health insurance was prepared in cooperation with AOK Bayern, Studentenservice, Universitätstr. 25, 91054 Erlangen

 

Extension of visa (Residence Permit)

Non-EU citizens

If you have entered Germany on a student visa, you must exchange this for a temporary residence permit for study purposes after your arrival.
This can be done at your local Foreign Nationals’ Authority (“Ausländerbehörde”):

  • For Erlangen: Town Hall, Rathausplatz 1, 4th Floor, 91052 Erlangen,
  • For Erlangen-Höchstadt: Landratsamt, Marktplatz 6, 91054 Erlangen,
  • For Nuremberg: Einwohneramt, Hirschelgasse 32, 90403 Nürnberg,
  • For Fürth: Ämtergebäude Süd, Schwabacher Str. 170, 1st Floor, Room 114, 90763 Fürth.

You should take along the following documents (this may differ depending on the particular requirements of your local Foreign Nationals’ Authority):

  • Application form for temporary residence permit,
  • Identity card or passport (including visa if required),
  • University matriculation (“Immatrikulationsbescheinigung”),
  • Confirmation of health insurance cover,
  • Proof of sufficient funds (min. € 643 per month),
  • Biometric photos,
  • Money for any fees or charges.

EU citizens

EU citizens do not need a residence permit for the duration of their stay in Germany, but they do require a Freedom of Movement permit. This can be obtained from the local authority. The Freedom of Movement permit is the equivalent of a residence permit.

 

Registration/Matriculation

The method of registering with the University will depend on whether or not your chosen subject of study has restrictions on admissions. Detailed information on registration can be found in your letter of acceptance. Please note that you must register in person at the address below. Registration by phone or post is not possible.

Contact:
University of Erlangen-Nürnberg
Student Records Office (“Studentenkanzlei”)
Halbmondstr. 6, Room 0.034, 91054 Erlangen, GERMANY
Telephone: +49 (0) 9131-85-24077, -4078, -4042
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 08:30-12:00