�Ӱ���̳

Got your university acceptance letter? It’s time to make it official and make sure you get the proper title to legally stay in Germany as a student.��

Let’s talk German student residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis zum Studium): who needs it, how to get it, and all other legalities around it.��

Do I Need a Student Residence Permit?

Most international students who plan to study in Germany for more than 90 days (3 months) will need a student residence permit.

Remember, a residence permit is different from a visa. Some nationalities don’t need a visa to enter Germany but must still get a residence permit for their studies once they arrive.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Nationals of EU countries (including Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland) don’t need a student visa or residence permit. If you’re a student from one of these countries, all you need to do is register your new German residence at the local residents’ registration office.
2. Nationals of Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United States of America need a residence permit for studies exceeding 90 days. However, they can enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit once they’re here.
3. Nationals of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, and San Marino need a residence permit for studies exceeding 90 days. However, they can enter Germany without a visa if they don’t intend to take employment (you can work part-time with a student permit).
4. Nationals from all other countries need a residence permit to study in Germany for periods exceeding 90 days. They also need a student visa to enter the country first.��

Basically, anyone who isn’t a national of an EU or EFTA country needs a residence permit to study in a university degree program in Germany.��

For shorter courses lasting less than 90 days (3 months), nationals of groups* 1, 2, and 3 don’t need a visa or residence permit, whereas nationals of group 4 need a student visa.

*Group numbers are for illustration purposes and are not official classifications.

How Do I Apply for a Student Residence Permit in Germany?

Here are the steps you need to take to get a student residence permit in Germany:

1. Register Your Address

First, you need to register your residence in Germany at the nearest residents’ registration office (in German, this can have a couple of different names: Einwohnermeldeamt, Bürgeramt, Meldebehörde, Bürgerservice, etc). This should be done within two weeks of your arrival.

Here is an . You can use it to find the one nearest to you, or simply Google your location in Germany + Bürgeramt and schedule an appointment online for the “Anmeldung der alleinigen Wohnung oder der Hauptwohnung” (Registration of sole or main residence) or just “Anmeldung”.

Once you register your address, you will be issued a registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung). You’ll need this to apply for the permit, together with other documents which we’ll explain in the next step.

2. Gather the Necessary Documents

Now for the fun part…gathering documents! Just kidding, we know it’s boring, but it has to be done. Here are all the documents you need to present at your student residence permit appointment in Germany: 

• Completed application form (Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels). Find it at your local foreigners’ office in person or on their website.
• Valid passport. Issued within the last 10 years.
• One recent biometric passport photo. See Germany’s requirements .��
• City registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung). Issued to you after registering your German address.
• Proof of adequate health insurance. Statutory health insurance or private insurance with equivalent coverage. Read more about health insurance requirements for international students.
• Proof of adequate financial means. As a student, you currently need to prove that you have at least €11,208 per year either through a blocked account, scholarship, proof of parent’s income, bank guarantee, or letter of commitment from a German resident. From September 2024, the required amount will change to €11,904 per year.
• Proof that you’ll be studying in Germany. Certificate of enrollment issued by the university or proof of conditional approval for studying.

3. Complete the Application Form for the German Student Residence Permit (Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels)

When you apply for the permit, you need to complete an application form that you’ll find at the foreigner’s registration office or that you can download from their website.��

For example, here is . You can also find it in other languages such as Greek, Turkish, Spanish, etc.

You’ll have to provide the information below:

• Personal information. Provide basic information such as your name and surname, date and place of birth, nationality, and gender.
• Passport information. Provide passport or other identification document details. This includes the document type, number, date of issue, issuing authority, expiry date, and any authorization to return to your home country.
• Residence information. Indicate whether you will maintain a permanent residence outside Germany, and if so, where. You will also have to state your marital status (single, married, divorced, widowed).
• Family information. If applicable, list the personal information of your spouse and children. You should also include your parents’ details (name, date of birth, gender, nationality, and residence).
• Previous stays in Germany. If you have previously been in Germany (e.g. for tourism), provide the dates of your stay.
• Current address and contact information. Provide your date of entry in Germany, the country you came from, your city registration date in Germany, your current address (place, street, house number), and contact information (email, fax, mobile phone).
• Purpose of stay & and financial information. Write “Studium” or “Study” as the purpose of stay & the name of your university as the educational establishment. Write how you’ll prove adequate financial means (e.g. blocked account).
• Health insurance. State whether you have health insurance that covers your stay in Germany.
• Legal background. You should declare if you were ever convicted of a criminal offense, expelled, or deported from another Schengen state or Germany. If applicable, you’ll have to provide details.
• Duration of stay. As you’re applying for a student permit, this should be the length of your study program.
• Declaration. You must declare that all the information provided is accurate and complete. Include the place, date, and your signature.

4. Schedule an Appointment at the Foreigner’s Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde)

Next, you should schedule an appointment at the foreigner’s registration office. You can .��

Some offices have an online appointment booking system dedicated to the residence permit for study purposes (Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Studienzwecke). In this case, choose the next available date and upload any documents required (if required).

Other offices may require applicants to appear in person or send an email to schedule an appointment. Make sure to follow the specific instructions on their website.

If you can’t find any available dates within the legally required period to apply for the residence permit, make sure to keep evidence of your appointment request. In such cases, the foreigner’s office can issue a “Fiktionsbescheinigung” (fictional certificate) that lets you stay legally in Germany until an appointment becomes available.

5. Attend the Appointment & Submit Your Application

Lastly, you need to attend the appointment as per your scheduled date. Have your documents with you, together with the completed application form. The officer will review your paperwork and may ask for additional information or clarification.

Residence Permit Fees

You also need to pay a fee for the issuance of the residence permit. The cost depends on the location, but the first permit usually costs €100. For extensions, the fee is typically between €93 and €96. There can be some exceptions to these fees. For example, Turkish nationals under the age of 24 pay €22.80, while those over 24 pay €37.

Some foreigners’ registration offices may not accept credit cards, so we recommend paying in cash.

Residence Permit Application Processing Time

Due to staff shortages and high-demand periods at many foreigners’ registration offices, it can be difficult to predict how much it’ll take them to process your residence permit application. In some cases, it can take as little as a few weeks, but it’s not uncommon for students to wait up to 4 months to receive their permit.

As long as you have submitted your application, you can legally stay in Germany even if your visa has expired or the 90-day window has passed.��

If there is a delay, you can get the Fiktionsbescheinigung (fictional certificate) as proof that you are legally staying in Germany. In some cases, you can also use it to travel outside of Germany. However, we recommend contacting your local Ausländerbehörde for more information.

How Long is a Student Residence Permit Valid For?

In most cases, German residence permits for study purposes are issued for two years. If you haven’t graduated within this period, you can apply for a renewal for two more years.

If you want to apply for an extension, make sure to do so at least 8 weeks before your current permit expires.

What Can I Do With a Student Residence Permit in Germany?

Being a foreigner abroad can feel daunting, and many students are too overwhelmed with information to figure out what their residence permit allows them to do. Here are some of the main benefits of having a student residence permit in Germany:

Study in Germany

A residence permit allows you to legally stay in Germany and study at the university of your choice. Degrees from German higher education institutions are recognized and valued worldwide, so you’re sure to receive quality education.

Work in Germany

Who says you have to study all the time? Both local and international students in Germany are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while studying. This opportunity lets you earn extra money to help manage your living expenses and support your studies. Check out our article on working while studying in Germany for details on regulations and common student jobs.

Travel Within the Schengen Zone

In your spare time, you can soak up the beauty of other European countries, most of which are a short train or plane ride away. With a German residence permit, you can travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within 6 months. For many international students coming from countries with more restrictive travel options, this is an added benefit.

Stay in Germany to Search for Work after Graduation

After graduation, students from third countries (who can’t stay in Germany for an unlimited time like EU students, for example) can get a residence permit to stay in Germany for 18 more months. Students can use this time to search for a job related to their field of study. However, they can work any kind of job (that they’re qualified for) in between.

Or, if you find a job before your student permit expires, you can apply for a work residence permit or an EU Blue Card. The duration of these permits varies depending on your work contract.

To learn more, read our guide on working in Germany after graduation.