Our offers are aimed at prospective students and students who would like to spend their entire studies in Germany. For exchange programmes, please refer to the International Office.
You must register your residence at the Residents' Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) in your municipality within 14 days of your arrival. However, it is possible that you will not be able to register your residence until later due to high demand. Therefore, it is important to book an appointment in good time.
After registration, you will receive your tax identification (Steuer-ID), which is relevant, for example, for taking up a part-time job.
If you live in Darmstadt, you will find the Residents' Registration Office in the Stadthaus in the Luisencenter (Luisenplatz 5). Appointments can be made online.
A German bank account is particularly important when paying the rent and the contribution to a health insurance company. It is therefore best to open a bank account in the first week after your arrival in Germany.
To open a German bank account, you normally need a City Registration Certificate (Meldebescheinigung) and valid passport or an EU-ID.
Banks often offer free bank accounts for students aged 18 to 30.
General information about current accounts
Current accounts for students (in German)
Current account comparison (in German)
In order for the public service media in Germany to be able to produce economically and politically independent content without financing advertising, a broadcasting fee is charged.
It is financed on the basis of a solidarity model and is mandatory for all residents of Germany. You can find more information and the online service on the page Broadcasting fee.
Health insurance is compulsory for all students in Germany for their entire period of study. Without insurance, enrolment cannot take place. Proof of health insurance must also be presented for the residence permit.
German health insurance funds with which you can insure yourself are e.g. DAK, AOK, TK or Barmer. You can find out which one suits your needs best on the websites of the health insurance companies.
The following links (in German) can also help you finding the right health insurance company for you:
• Health insurance comparison
• Comparison calculator for health insurance
• Finding statutory health insurance for students
Private liability insurance protects the insured person from the financial consequences of self-inflicted damage and assumes claims for damages. We strongly recommend that you take out liability insurance, as even a little carelessness can cause considerable damage, for which you may have to pay large sums of money.
We recommend that you search for a family doctor ("Hausarzt") as soon as possible after your arrival. The family doctor is responsible for basic medical care and is the first medical contact for all health problems.
In the medical directory for migrants you will find a list of doctors who speak different languages.
