International Office

Please register at the International Office using the attached form, so that we can help you with all further details pertaining to your stay. Please note that European data protection laws make this step a requirement in order for us to assist you.

If you are a citizen of the EU or the EWR, you will not require a visa to enter or work in Germany.

With a few exceptions, non-EU citizens generally require a visa, especially if they plan to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days.

If you are arriving in Germany as a postdoc or doctoral candidate, you will usually need an 18 D visa. Please contact your local German mission to book an appointment for your visa interview and get a list of documents you will need to bring with you and/or submit to them.

For more comprehensive information about visa formalities, please visit the website of the German Federal Foreign Office.

Anyone, regardless of their nationality, who is planning to stay in Tübingen for longer than 90 days, is required to register their place of residence with local authorities at the Bürgerbüro (Citizens‘ Office) within two weeks of arrival in Tübingen. You can book an appointment for registration online here. Since the next available appointment can be more than two weeks away, we highly recommend booking appointments in advance. Unfortunately, the booking app is only available in the German language, so please refer to our handout official city registration.

If you have a work contract, we recommend that you take out travel health insurance for your first few weeks in Germany. Once you have arrived, you will typically need to choose a health insurance company and take out statutory German health insurance. But since your day of arrival may not coincide with your first day at work and you may need a few days to make your choice and take out the insurance, it is advisable to have travel health insurance.

For visiting scientists, requirements can vary depending on your nationality/country of residence and the duration of your stay.

We have prepared a checklist for you which includes items that are absolutely essential, as well as some that you should consider bringing if they are applicable to you. We strongly recommend making a digital backup of your essential documents (e.g. in an encrypted cloud storage), just in case you lose any of your important documents.

Essential:

• Passport or ID card (should be valid for the duration of your stay) with visa
• Hosting Agreement (employee) or invitation (visiting scientist)
• Proof of Health Insurance
• Certificates and University Degrees (either originals or certified copies)
• Cash or credit card, so you can withdraw cash at an ATM (Note: many supermarkets offer a free cashback service for Visa and Mastercard if you shop there)

Important: If your documents are not in German or English, you will need to get certified translations or apostilles (depending on the country of issue).

If applicable:

• Proof of funding if you are a visiting scientist (scholarship/salary slip from your home institute)
• Your EU health insurance card (EHIC) if you are a visiting scientist from Europe
• Marriage certificate - even if your spouse is not accompanying you, presenting this may qualify you for a more favourable tax class in Germany
• Birth certificates and school certificates of your children if they are accompanying you
• Sufficient supply of any regular medication (along with a doctor’s prescription) you are taking that will last you until you can see a doctor in Germany.
• Vaccination pass

Finding accommodation in Tübingen can be challenging, so you will probably need to find a temporary place to stay while you look for something more long-term. It pays to begin your search as early as possible. For more information on how and where to look, we have prepared the handout finding accommodation for you.

Anyone, regardless of their nationality, who is planning to stay in Tübingen for longer than 90 days, needs to register their place of residence with local authorities at the Bürgerbüro (Citizens‘ Office) within two weeks of arrival in Tübingen.

If you have secured a place of residence outside Tübingen, you will need to register at the corresponding Bürgerbüro. During this appointment, you will be asked to submit the following documents:

1. Your booking slip for registration with timeslot and number
2. Passport or ID
3. Visa or date-of-entry stamp
4. Your rental contract
5. Wohnungsgeberbestätigung – this is a form that your landlord/landlady needs to fill out to confirm that you have moved into your new place of residence
6. Passports of spouse or children if they are living with you. You can register the whole family in the same appointment.

Please also refer to our handout official city registration.

If you have a work contract, you will generally receive your permanent tax number from the Bürgerbüro when you register. The tax office (Finanzamt) will also send you your tax ID by post a few weeks after you register. This number is very important, and the accounts department at the institute will require it in order to process your salary payments.

To open a bank account in Germany you will require:

1. Passport or ID
2. Visa or residence permit
3. Proof of city registration
4. Tax ID number
5. Income statement from employer

Online banks sometimes offer accounts with fewer requirements.

For international staff members:

In Germany, all employees are required to have valid health insurance from the first day of employment.

Statutory Health Insurance (GKV)

• Employees must choose a statutory health insurance provider and sign up as soon as possible after arriving in Germany.
• Once you have signed up, the insurance coverage is retroactive to the first day of employment. This means any eligible medical expenses incurred during the initial days will be covered, even if there is a delay in finalizing the paperwork.
• After signing up, you will receive a Mitgliedsbescheinigung (membership certificate), which must be submitted to your employer.

Private Health Insurance (PKV)

• Employees who are eligible and opt for private health insurance must ensure that their coverage begins no later than the first day of employment.

Important: Please ensure that your travel insurance from your home country remains valid until your German health insurance is confirmed.

For visiting scientists:

• For EU citizens: Please bring your EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) for access to necessary medical care. If you are being funded by your employer, you may also want to bring an A1 certificate from your employer to ensure full social security coverage for the duration of your stay.

• For non-EU citizens: You will require private health insurance for the duration of your stay. Please ensure that the insurance coverage meets German requirements.

If you need assistance with selecting a health insurance provider or navigating the enrollment process, please contact the International Office for support.

In Germany, you can be held liable for damages caused to a third party. This can result in your having to pay significant amounts of money in compensation. We recommend taking out personal liability insurance and checking to see if similar insurance you have in your home country also covers damages in Germany.

At a minimum, your insurance should cover the following:

1. Damage to your rental accommodation
2. Damage caused by the loss of keys
3. Damage caused by your children or pets (if applicable)
4. Damage caused to you by uninsured parties (Schadensausfalldeckung), which covers damages when the responsible person is uninsured and unable to pay for the damage

• EU Citizens: If you are an EU citizen, you do not require a visa or a residence permit to live, work, or study in Germany.
• Non-EU Citizens Requiring a Visa: If you need an entry or work visa to come to Germany, you will also need to apply for a residence permit if you plan to stay for more than 90 days.
• Non-EU Citizens Not Requiring a Visa: Citizens of non-EU countries that are visa-exempt for short stays (up to 90 days) must still apply for a residence permit if their stay exceeds 90 days.

You can get very detailed information on residence permits as well as extending residence permit at the website of the Tübingen Research Campus, a collaborative group of institutes, of which IWM is a member.

These handouts are designed to provide you with more detailed information on various important topics, such as finding accommodation.

Finding accommodation (PDF download)

Official city registration in Germany (PDF download)

Emergency Information (PDF download)

This list of links will provide you with many online resources that you can use to find information specific to your own stay in Germany. From official government websites to local tips and services, these links connect you to the information you need for living, working, and thriving in Tübingen.

• Tübingen Research Campus
• EURAXESS
• Make it in Germany
• Federal Foreign Office of Germany
• Tübingen Bürgerbüro
• Welcome to Tübingen
• Tübingen Tourist Office

• A Welcoming Community: Thanks to the excellent university and a multitude of renowned research institutions, Tübingen is home to a diverse, international population, creating an inclusive and vibrant atmosphere.
• Rich Culture and History: From punting on the Neckar River, to the beautiful Christmas market and annual events like the rubber duck race, there’s always something to discover.
• A Green City: Located between the Black Forest, the Swabian Alb mountains and the Schönbuch forest, Tübingen offers plenty of outdoor activities and eco-friendly initiatives.

• Getting around: Tübingen has an excellent public transport network and is bicycle-friendly, making it easy to navigate. Don’t forget to get your Jobticket for easy and affordable commuting!
• Safety: The city is generally very safe, but like in any other city, it is advisable to stay away from parks late at night and stick to well-lit areas.
• Grocery shopping: There is a variety of supermarkets on offer, including several discounters, as well as a lively open air market in the inner city and stores selling organic produce. Supermarkets are closed on Sundays, so plan ahead.
• Visiting the doctor: In Germany, your family doctor is the first point of contact for any health concerns, so it’s a good idea to find one early on, as they can refer you to specialists if necessary. Most medical costs are covered by your health insurance.