DEUTSCH

Registration at the citizens' office

As soon as you have a permanent residence, you should register at the "Einwohnermeldeamt" (Citizen's residence office) within a few days.
You will need your passport and two documents ("Anmeldung bei der Meldebehörde" and "Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung").

Residence permit

If you have entered Germany with a visa, usually you have apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Department in your city within 90 days.
International students have to prove that they have around € 861 per month and about € 10.300 per year their disposal for the first study year. This is taken as a proof that you can earn a living (via blocked account, declaration of commitment or a scholarship).

In Münster, you submit an appointment request ("Terminanfrage") via the website. You will then be contacted by the authority by email or by mail.
In the case of an extension, an appointment request three months before the expiry of your residence permit is sufficient.
In Steinfurt, you will receive a letter by post mail from the Foreigners office after you registered at the citicens office.

In other places you have to contact the authorities directly and ask for an appointment.

Health Insurance

Health Insurance Card

Health insurance can be taken out with any of the German statutory health insurance companies. Those in possession of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC for short) do not have to take out additional insurance; their insurance coverage is also applicable in Germany.

This is also the case when students take out overseas health insurance in their home country. In this case, a certificate written in German or English must be issued and presented to a German statutory health insurance companies for verification.

Students wishing to take out accident or liability insurance may contact one of the statutory health insurance companies. For more information about statutory health insurance companies, please contact the International Office.

Costs for a living

Costs of living

You should expect monthly costs of living of about more than 800 Euro.

The monthly costs can vary depending on your living situation and other needs.
The largest part must be planned for your rent.

A higher proof of your financial amount must be shown from the 1st January, 2023 on. The amount increases to 934 Euro per month or more than 11.000 Euro per year.



The average monthly average costs are listed below:

Rental Costs 400 €
Food 200 €
Clothing   60 €
Learning Material   50 €
Health Insurance 110 €
Phone, Internet   40 €
Leisure time   40 €
Media licence fee   18 €
TOTAL 918 €

Licence fee

International students have to pay a monthly licence fee of 18,36 €. This sum will be used to finance the public media services.
The contribution will be collected by "ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice". You will receive a letter with a request for payment after you have moved in.

Please take the payment seriously - it can have negative consequences if you do not pay the amount.

Working in Germany

International students are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days a year, up to 20 hours a week. Please note: You are not allowed to become self-employed or to work as a freelancer.

If you want to work more, you need the approval of Agentur für Arbeit and Ausländerbehörde.

An exception: If you work as a "scientific assistant" there is no limit. The foreigners authority must nevertheless be informed.

If you attend a language course in preparation for your studies, you may only work with the agreement of the Employment Agency and the Aliens Department and only during the holiday period.

Due to COVID-19, there are special regulations when entering the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) (see "Corona-Einreiseverordnung").
Students entering from risk areas must go into domestic quarantine for a certain period of time and report their entry to the responsible health authority.

In some airports, corona test centres were set up. Otherwise, in all cities you will find test cetres. 

Risk areas are defined by the Federal Government and published by the Robert Koch Institute. An overview of current defined risk areas can be found on the Institute's website (see link below).

As soon as you experience symptoms that indicate an illness with COVID-19, the public health department must be informed immediately. 

During the quarantine you are not allowed to leave your accommodation or receive visitors.

You can leave the quarantine after the required days or if a test is done and the result is negative.

There may be penalties for disobeying the rules.

Please have a look to the links below and read them carefully!



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