Arrival
Off to Erfurt!
Regardless of whether you are spending a semester or an entire degree programme in Erfurt - you need to organise your journey well!
On this page we have summarised some information on how to get here. Please also be sure to read all the emails we send you during the preparation and arrival phase!
Plan your stay in good time and refer to the pages on your particular type of study programme at the University of Erfurt:
Visa
Students who want to enrol at a German university may only do so with a student visa. A visa authorises you to enter, but not remain, in Germany. The visa has an expiration date. A visa is not required for students from EU countries, Switzerland, the USA, and Japan. You must apply for your visa at the German embassy or consulate in your home country. The following documents must generally be submitted for an application for a visa:
- Letter of Admission for study at the University of Erfurt
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the duration of the study period in Erfurt (please check the embassy websites for the amount or use the blocked account services)
- Copy of a higher education entrance qualification certificate
- Proof of knowledge of the German language
- Health certificate, if necessary
The processing of a visa can take up to three months. Please allow yourself ample time for the visa application! Never travel with just a tourist visa as it cannot be converted into a student visa. You also would not be able to enrol at the university and would have to leave Germany after three months!
Arrival check list
- A passport that is valid for the full period of your stay in Germany (otherwise you may have to return to your home country in order to have your passport extended)
- Letter of Admission for study at the University of Erfurt
- Proof of financial means
- Visa (NO tourist visa), if required
- EU: European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
- Non-EU: Health insurance that is recognised in Germany (e.g. AT 11) OR, if it is not recognised: a Travel Insurance that is valid until you obtain German statutory health insurance
- International student identity card (ISIC)
- necessary medication and inoculation certificate
- enough cash for the first days after arrival
- EC bank card or credit card
- Plug adapter
Formalities in the city of Erfurt
Registration in Resident Registration Office Erfurt (Bürgeramt)
Within two weeks after arrival, all international students must register in the city of Erfurt Registration office (Bürgerservicebüro).
Address
Bürgermeister-Wagner-Straße 1
99084 Erfurt
Telephone: (0361) 655-5444
Fax: +49 0361 655-7609
Opening hours (may vary, please check online each time)
Mon / Wed / Fr / Sat: 9.00 - 12.30 Uhr
Tue / Thu: 9.00 - 18.00 Uh
You will need the following documents:
- your passport
- lease + "Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung" (residence registration form)
Registration in the Foreigner Registration Office (Non-EU only)
Students from Non-EU-countries must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigner Registration Office Erfurt (Ausländerbehörde).
Address
Ausländerbehörde der Stadt Erfurt
Schillerstraße 40, 99096 Erfurt
Telephone: (0361) 655-3830
You will always have to make an appointment online (Scroll down to Terminvereinbarung bei der Ausländerbehörde).
You will need the following documents:
- your passport together with a photocopy
- the form "Antrag auf Erteilung einer Aufenthaltserlaubnis" (Application for a Temporary Residence Permit in Germany) which you find online
- one biometric passport-sized photograph
- certification of university enrolment ("Immatrikulationsbescheinigung") / student identity card
- proof of health insurance
- residence registration form ("Meldebescheinigung", available from Bürgerservice)
- proof of sufficient financial means to cover the living costs for the duration of the study period in Germany
Formalities at the University of Erfurt
Enrolment
You must enrol online via the HisInOne portal.
The portal will guide you through the enrolment process step by step. You will be asked to upload documents (certificates, language certificates), a photo for your student ID card (Thoska) and proof of payment of the semester contribution.
In addition, a German statutory health insurance company must report your health insurance status electronically to the University of Erfurt. Students under/up to 30 years of age must provide proof of statutory health insurance at the student rate. Students over 30 years of age must also have their insurance status reported by a statutory health insurance company.
Health insurance
Health insurance obligation (Non-EU)
All students are obliged to apply to a German statutory health insurance company for electronic notification of their health insurance status for enrolment.
Students under 30 are subject to statutory insurance. You must take out German statutory health insurance.
The statutory health insurance company will then report your health insurance status (=insured) to the University of Erfurt.
Students over 30 are not required to take out statutory health insurance, but you must take out private health insurance. Compare different offers from private insurance companies.
You must still have your health insurance status (= not covered by statutory insurance) reported electronically by a statutory health insurance company.
Health insurances from countries with bilateral agreements
The health insurance of some countries with which a bilateral agreement exists is recognised in Germany, i.e. you can remain insured in your home country if you present a corresponding certificate from your home health insurance fund to a German statutory health insurance company. The certificates of entitlement are currently (as of 04/2017):
European Health Insurance Card EHIC (EU countries & EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) & Switzerland
BH 16 (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
JU 6 (Serbia, Montenegro)
RM/D 11 (Macedonia)
AT/ 11 (Turkey)
A/TN 11 (Tunisia)
Health insurance policies from other countries and travel health insurance policies are generally not recognised, i.e. students must take out health insurance in Germany.
Electronic notification of the health insurance status (obligatory for everyone)
All students are obliged to apply for electronic notification of their health insurance status for enrolment with a German statutory health insurance provider.
Contact
Contact
Information (Leaflet)
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