First Steps after Arrival

If you finally arrived in Göttingen, you will face quite a number of challenges. We hope that the information provided below will help you to smoothly settle in. The assistants of your department or group is happy to help you in all matters and also the Welcome Center of the Göttingen Campus provides support. 

1 A → First Steps Coming from Abroad

1 B → First Step Moving Within Germany

2 → Next Steps to be Taken – Regardless Where You Come From

First Steps when Coming from Abroad

1^st Step: Registration at the Einwohnermeldeamt (Local Residents' Registration Office)

Registration as Local Resident

Regardless of whether you require a visa, in Germany you are obligated to personally register your residency at the Einwohnermeldeamt (local residents' registration office). This is mandatory for everyone who intends to stay in Germany for more than three months. Please register immediately after arrival at a new place of residence. more

2^nd Step: Application for Residence Permit

Residence Permit

If you hold a foreign citizenship, you will have to apply for a residence permit in the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners´ registration office) if you intend to stay longer than three months. Depending on your purpose of stay and, therefore, your kind of visa, the residence permit allows you either to study, to work, or to stay for business or tourist purposes. EU citizens will obtain the special residence permit for EU citizens there, the so-called Freizügigkeitsbescheinigung (permit for freedom of movement). more

3^rd Step: Banking

Banking

Banking in Germany is probably not that different from back home but there are a few twists you need to know.  more

First Step When Moving Within Germany

Registration as Local Resident

Regardless of whether you require a visa, in Germany you are obligated to personally register your residency at the Einwohnermeldeamt (local residents' registration office). This is mandatory for everyone who intends to stay in Germany for more than three months. Please register immediately after arrival at a new place of residence. more

Next Steps to be Taken from A to Z – Regardless Where You Come From

Broadcasting Fee

Germany has a public service broadcasting system in addition to private broadcasters. Anyone staying in Germany for more than three months is obliged to pay a fee directly to the AZDBS (ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice). Registration can be done online. 

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Child Care & Schools

If you bring your children with you and they stay here for a longer time, you may have to find a kindergarten place or an appropriate school near your place of residence at the beginning of your stay. On the following web pages we want to provide an overview of the possibilities in Göttingen regarding day care and schools. Furthermore, to facilitate the compatibility of career and children, all official seminars and lectures at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry start no later than 2 pm. more

Child Allowance

Child allowance is usually paid when you are domiciled or normally resident in Germany. In addition, the child must be domiciled or normally resident in Germany or another EU member state. more

Parental Leave & Parental Benefit

In Germany, you are supported in raising your children. Parental allowance and parental leave are the most important benefits for parents.
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Physicians, Medical Care & Emergency Numbers

Although we hope you will spend a save and healthy time here, the Welcome Centre of the Göttingen Campus has collected a few important facts and numbers for you. more

Private Liability Insurance

If you will spend more than six months in Germany, or have moved here, the most important insurance you will need is a third-party private liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung). It provides cover to you or to any insured member of your family in the event that you commit an act for which a German court would consider you negligent. more

Social Security Insurance

Social insurance is a statutory insurance system comprising health insurance, accident insurance, pension insurance, long-term care insurance, and unemployment insurance. Contributions to social insurance are generally compulsory for employees and are paid for by the employer. What you need to know. more

Retirement Insurance Fund

The pension insurance is part of the Sozialversicherung (social insurance) and is generally compulsory for employees. It provides financial security in old age. In addition, there is the possibility of a private old-age provision.
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Further Information About Living & Working in Göttingen

GöGuide

GöGuide - Living and studying in Göttingen, an online booklet by the University of Göttingen more

Welcome Booklet by the University of Göttingen

Information for new staff and guests about the university and the Göttingen Campus more

Website of the City of Göttingen

Here you may find a lot of information about what the city can offer. more