Hello again!
Congratulations on finding a place to live! We hope our tips were helpful during your search. Now that you have a place to call home, the next steps are to register your address and, if you're one of the unlucky few like me, go through the sometimes tumultuous task of obtaining a residence permit. As this proves to be a confusing and taxing step for many, we thought we'd write down some pointers here for everyone to reference. We hope they come in handy!
Surya and Johannes Your USM Student Representatives
Everyone residing in Germany, whether a German citizen or a foreigner, is required by law to register their address. This requirement applies any time you move, even if you are relocating to a new residence within the same city. International visitors staying in Germany for less than 3 months are exempt. However, for any stay exceeding 90 days, you must register, usually within 14 days of arriving at your new address. Registering is how you officially enter the tax and social security systems.
To complete your registration, you will need to bring the following documents:
With the necessary documents in hand, the next step is to schedule an appointment with the local registration office, usually via the city's online booking portal. The availability of these appointments can vary with the seasons, often becoming particularly challenging to obtain between September and November. If there are no available appointments within the registration deadline, simply book the next available slot. The authorities are typically lenient towards those who face difficulties securing an appointment within this timeframe, especially if the delay is justified.
These appointments usually last about 10 minutes. The Civilian Office (Bürgeramt) agent will review your documents, enter your information into the system, and then print out your certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung). This serves as your official proof of address. Ensure to keep the original in a safe place, as you will need it for many other bureaucratic processes, such as applying for a residence permit, opening a bank account, signing up for utilities and services, etc.
Completing the registration triggers the process of assigning you a Tax ID number (Steueridentifikationsnummer or Steuer-ID). After your Anmeldung, the Federal Tax Office will automatically mail your Tax ID Number to your registered address. This typically arrives within 2-4 weeks. The Tax ID Number is a unique 11-digit number that identifies you within the German tax system. You retain the same number for life, even if you move. An employer will need this number to accurately process your income taxes.
Every time you move within Germany, whether to a new apartment or a new city, you must update your address with a new registration within 14 days. If you move out of Germany, you must complete a de-registration (Abmeldung) to inform the authorities that you no longer reside there. The process is similar to the registration.
Registering your address is a critical part of settling into life in Germany. While the paperwork and appointments may seem daunting initially, it is a well-structured procedure that integrates new residents into the administrative fabric of Germany.
First, it's important to understand the difference between a visa and a residence permit. A visa allows legal entry into Germany for a specified purpose and period of time. Visas are obtained prior to initial entry into the country. A residence permit is an official document or card stating you are a legal resident of Germany. Residence permits can only be obtained after entry into Germany.
The visa requirements and application process will vary based on your country of citizenship. EU/EEA/EFTA citizens enjoy the most streamlined process. The principle of free movement within the EU/EEA/EFTA negates the need for visas or residence permits for study purposes.
Schengen friends are certain countries outside the Schengen Zone but within a circle of trust that permits their citizens special mobility rights. These nations, which include the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and most Latin American countries, have special agreements with the Schengen Area. If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you do not need to apply for a student visa before arriving in Germany. In fact, some German consulates explicitly discourage it. Instead, you can enter Germany visa-free as a tourist and then apply for your student residence permit after arrival. However, you will still need to gather the required documents and make an appointment with the local Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde) to apply for your residence permit within 90 days of arrival. A wealth of information on this topic is available online.
For citizens of all other countries, the journey begins at the doorstep of their nearest German embassy or consulate. Contact the embassy to schedule a visa appointment and start collecting the documents required to apply for a student visa well in advance. The visa will allow you to enter Germany. However, you will still need to apply for a residence permit after arrival to stay longer than the visa validity period, usually 90 days.
Whether you need a visa first or not, all non-EU/EEA/EFTA students will ultimately need to apply for a residence permit after arriving in Germany. You'll need to make an appointment at your local Foreigners' Office and bring the following documents: