Planning & Arrival
Your checklist before departure
Entry and residence in Germany
1. entry from EU/EEA countries or Switzerland
If you are coming from an EU country, the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) or Switzerland, you generally do not need a visa. However, it is important that you register with the Residents' Registration Office after your arrival.
2. with a residence permit from another EU country
If you already have a residence permit for studying in an EU country, you can enter Germany without a visa under certain conditions. In such cases, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) can help you - find out about the exact conditions there.
3. if a visa is required
If none of the above applies to you, you will need either a visa or a residence permit for your studies. Some countries have special regulations for entering Germany - you can find out which regulations apply to your country of origin from your local German embassy. Remember to submit your application in good time - processing can take several weeks or months.
4. proof of funds for the visa application
To apply for a visa, you must prove that you can finance your living expenses. This proof is currently around 11,904 euros per year. A frequently used option is a so-called blocked account: The amount is blocked until you are in Germany. Make sure you open the account in good time and have it officially confirmed. Once you have entered the country, you can access your money on a monthly basis.
Which visa do you need?
With the Visa Navigator from the Federal Foreign Office, you can find out which visa you need in just a few steps.
Take out health insurance
You need valid health insurance for your stay in Germany.
Residents of student residences are not considered students in the legal sense and therefore generally do not have an automatic right to public health insurance. While some public health insurance providers do offer coverage, they are not required to do so.
Most college students therefore opt for private health insurance. Providers include, for example, Mawista, Dr. Walter, or Care Concept. Be sure to choose a plan with comprehensive coverage that includes doctor visits, medications, hospital stays, and dental treatment.
Find accommodation
Start looking for a room early—especially at the beginning of the semester, when many accommodations are snapped up quickly.
Our recommendation
A spot in Dresden Studentenwerk dorm. The rent is affordable, and the location is convenient for students. Alternatively, you can also find a place in a shared apartment (WG) or a private apartment. You can find listings online or on the bulletin board on campus.
Your first days in Zittau
'Studienkolleg' (preparatory college) Schwenninger Weg 1
02763 Zittau
Good to know: From the Zittau train station, it takes about 35 minutes to walk to the 'Studienkolleg' (preparatory college) at Schwenninger Weg 1. (Directions).
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Step 1: Confirmation of registration at the residents' registration office
After you arrive in Zittau and move into your housing, you must register with the Residents’ Registration Office within one to two weeks.
Registration is free. You’ll fill out a form and receive a confirmation of registration. Keep it in a good place—you’ll need it, for example, if you move or to apply for a residence permit if you’re from a non-EU country.
To register, you’ll need:
- Identification card or passport (including a visa, if necessary)
- Landlord’s confirmation, filled out and signed by the landlord
→ You can download the form online and bring it with you when you register.
→ In a student dorm, the 'Studentenwerk' (student union ) will issue the confirmation for you. - Marriage certificate (if available)
- Originalbirth certificates for children with an official translation (if available)
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Step 2: Apply for a residence permit at the foreigner's registration office
Students from the EU, the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), or Switzerland do not need a residence permit. They are covered by the freedom of movement provisions under EU law. If you are from a non-EU country, you must apply for a residence permit within the first three months after your arrival. The residence permit for the 'Studienkolleg' (preparatory college) or subsequent degree program is generally issued for one to two years and costs up to 110 euros, depending on the period of validity.
You are also allowed to work with this permit: For more information, see this fact sheet
You’ll need the following documents:
- Valid passport (+ copy)
- Student visa (except for certain countries such as the U.S., Canada, Japan, etc.)
- Certificate of registration from the Residents’ Registration Office
- Proof of health insurance (+ copy)
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses (+ copy, e.g., blocked account)
- Enrolment certificate, admission letter, or proof of language course enrollment (+ copy)
- Rental agreement or housing confirmation (+ copy)
- Biometric passport photo
- Application for a residence permit (form from the foreigner's registration office)
Görlitz District Office – Zittau Foreigner's Registration Office
Hochwaldstraße 29Website of the Görlitz District
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Open a bank account
A German current account helps you to reliably organize regular payments such as rent, internet, telephone or insurance. You can use it to conveniently process transfers, standing orders and direct debits. You can use your debit card to withdraw cash from many ATMs in Germany - fees may apply depending on the bank. Contactless payment at checkouts is also widespread. A current account is usually free of charge for students, which makes it particularly attractive. Your card only works to a limited extent abroad. To use it outside Germany, it must be connected to the Maestro or V-Pay system, for example. Ask your bank whether and how you can use your card abroad.
Whether you opt for a traditional branch bank with personal service or prefer a digital online bank is up to you. Offers are available in Zittau and online.
Good to knowImportant: Your normal current account is not the same as a blocked account.
You also need a blocked account - before you start your studies - to prove that you have sufficient funds for your stay in Germany.
Orientation Day: At the start of the semester, the 'Studienkolleg' (preparatory college) invites all new participants to an orientation day. You’ll receive important information about the start of your course, campus life, and your points of contact.
