Germany | HubStudentsEurope

Welcome students to Germany.

Navigating Your Academic Journey in Germany

Welcome to your study experience in Germany. To ensure a smooth transition and a successful academic journey, it is essential to manage both your administrative requirements and your social integration proactively. Please follow the structured steps below to establish a solid foundation for your time here.
Essential Steps for Success:
1. Administrative Foundation: Complete your mandatory registration and banking requirements early to avoid bureaucratic delays.
2. Logistical Preparation: Secure your housing and understand your local transport options to streamline your daily routine.
3. Health and Safety: Ensure your health insurance is active, as it is a fundamental requirement for your enrollment and stay.
4. Social Integration: Actively participate in university clubs, mentorship programs, and language tandems to build a supportive network and enrich your cultural experience

First step

Establishing an Administrative Base

Before starting your university studies, it is mandatory to establish a secure administrative base. Focusing on these key requirements will prevent future delays and ensure compliance with local regulations:

a) Mandatory Registration (Anmeldung): Registering your residential address with your local Bürgeramt is the first essential step that must be completed within 14 days of arrival.

Mandatory Registration - Anmeldung

Deadline: 14 days after moving in. After 14 days = €10-50 fine

Where: Bürgeramt/Bürgerbüro in your city. Schedule an “Anmeldung” appointment online 2-3 weeks in advance

Required documents: Passport +( visa Wohnungsgeberbestätigung for non-EU citizens) - form signed by the landlord. You can find it on berlin.de Completed Anmeldung form - download from the city hall website Pro tip: 90% of problems = the landlord does not want to sign the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. Solve this before you sign the contract. Without this paper = no Anmeldung

Result: You receive a Meldebescheinigung on the spot. The magic paper for the bank + internet + insurance

b) Health Insurance Verification: Obtaining valid health insurance is a strict condition for university enrollment; this must be completed immediately upon arrival to avoid obstacles to academic registration.

Health Insurance Verification - Krankenversicherung
Rule: No German insurance = university does not enroll you “Immatrikulation”
Options for students <30 years old:
TK - Techniker Krankenkasse - Most popular with internationals. App in English, they respond quickly.
AOK - The largest, offices everywhere.
DAK, Barmer - Similar alternatives
How to do digital "Immatrikulation" (SMV system): The process is now completely digitalized via the Meldungsverfahren (SMV) system. You choose your insurance (e.g. on the TK or AOK website) and check that you are a student.
Enter your university code (each university in Germany has a unique identification number that you can find in your admission letter).
Automatic sending: The insurance company sends the confirmation (Versicherungsbescheinigung) directly to your university's digital system within less than 24-48 hours.

c) Financial Setup: Opening a local bank account, and for non-EU individuals, often requiring a blocked account (Sperrkonto), is essential to demonstrate financial stability and to process administrative or visa-related payments.

What do you need to open an account?

- Digital Banks: Only your Passport / Bulletin (they do not ask for your registered address at the beginning, you can use the temporary address where you live).
- Traditional Banks: Passport, Proof of Address (Meldebescheinigung from Anmeldung) and student certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) so that they don't charge you a monthly fee.

Health Insurance Verification

Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) is the largest and most popular public health insurance company in Germany (gesetzliche Krankenkasse), with over 12 million insured members.
It is consistently voted as the top choice, especially due to its advanced digitalization and excellent support in English.

Why is TK so popular with students?

- 24/7 support in English: Both the official website and the call center have dedicated options completely in English.
- Mobile app: You can do everything from your phone (send medical certificates, request reimbursements, download documents).
Appointment service (TK-Terminservice): If you need a specialist (e.g. dermatologist, cardiologist) and there is no room, TK will call you and book an appointment according to your schedule.
- Direct billing: When you go to the doctor, you only present your physical health card (eHealth card), and the clinic sends the bill directly to TK. You pay nothing out of pocket for standard consultations.

What additional benefits does it offer?

- TK Bonus Program: If you go for annual preventive check-ups (e.g. dentist, vaccines), you collect points in the app that you can convert into cash (up to €250 per year).
- Travel vaccines: TK covers the costs of the necessary vaccines if you go on exotic holidays (e.g. Hepatitis, yellow fever).
- Coverage throughout Europe: On the back of the German card you have printed the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), valid when traveling in the EU.

AOK (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse)(https://www.aok.de/fm/ro-ro/) is the largest public health insurance company in Germany, covering over 27 million people. Unlike other single companies, AOK is organized as a network consisting of 11 independent regional branches (e.g. AOK Bayern, AOK Nordost, AOK Baden-Württemberg).

If you register with AOK, you will automatically belong to the branch in the state where you live.
The main advantages of AOK

- The largest network of physical offices: AOK has over 1,200 physical branches throughout the country. Many of them are located directly on large campuses or in university towns (AOK Student Service). If you prefer to speak face to face with an advisor to solve a problem, AOK is unbeatable.
- Free health courses: They fully or partially reimburse you for approved courses in fitness, yoga, nutrition, stress management and quitting smoking.
- “Meine AOK” app: A stable digital platform where you can upload your medical certificates, apply for reimbursements and communicate with them.

Disadvantages to be aware of

- Language barrier (English support): Although they have a central English phone line, in local offices or in daily emails the employees prefer or insist on speaking German. Communicating in English is more difficult at AOK than at TK.
- Unequal prices: Since they are divided into regions, the monthly price differs depending on the state you study in. In some states (such as Berlin/Nordost), the additional contribution is higher, raising the total cost.

Prices for students (<30 years) in 2026:
The total cost (including basic health insurance + long-term care insurance) varies regionally between €139 and €153 / month.

* Under 23 years: around €139 - €142 / month.
* Over 23 years (without children): around €145 - €153 / month.

DAK-Gesundheit(https://www.dak.de/health-insurance-germany-en/international-students_79036) is the third largest public health insurance company in Germany. It is an excellent national provider, particularly known for its financial bonus programs and flexible packages for young people and students.
Like TK and AOK, DAK covers the full package of legally required medical services (consultations, hospitalization, prescriptions).
Key advantages of DAK

- Free "DAK Fit & Travel" package: This is an optional free plan for people up to 39 years of age. It offers you international travel health insurance and special subsidies (e.g. money back on gym memberships).
- DAK Garantietarif 120 plan: If you sign up for this plan and do not go to the doctor for major treatments for a year (preventive check-ups are not required), you will receive €120 in cash back per year (effectively saving €10 per month).
- Extensive alternative treatments: Unlike other providers, DAK-Gesundheit reimburses generous amounts for alternative therapies such as osteopathy (up to 3 sessions per year) and acupuncture. [9]
- Digital support: Their mobile app allows you to manage everything online, and their enrollment service digitally reports your insured status directly to the university (M10 / SMV system).

DAK disadvantages

- Slightly higher price: DAK has an additional contribution (Zusatzbeitrag) of 3.20% in 2026, which makes it slightly more expensive at the student rate compared to TK.
- Partial English: Although they have basic websites and forms translated into English, their daily support on the app or by phone is not as fully digitized in English as that of TK.

DAK prices for students (<30 years old) in 2026:
The total rate (health insurance + care insurance) is fixed nationwide for DAK:

- Under 23 years old: €145.52 / month.
- Between 23 and 29 years old (without children): €150.65 / month.

Financial Setup

To manage your money day to day in Germany (rent payment, shopping, phone subscription or health insurance), you need a Girokonto (current account).
In Germany, banks are divided into two main categories: traditional banks (with physical branches) and digital banks (direct bank / neo-banks).

1. Digital Banks (Recommended for simplicity and English)
They are ideal for students and expats. Opening an account is done online in 10 minutes by video verification of your passport, and the apps are 100% in English.

- N26: The most popular digital bank in Germany.
- Costs: The basic account is free.
- Card: You get a free virtual debit card (or a physical one for a one-time delivery fee of €10).
- Language: The app and customer support are fully in English/Spanish/French/Italian.
- Minus: You can only deposit cash through partner supermarket networks (Cash26), with a commission after a certain limit.
- Bunq: An excellent digital option, focused on sustainability.
- Costs: Has free plans for students or paid premium plans.
- Advantage: Allows you to have sub-accounts with IBANs from different countries (including German IBANs).

2. Large Traditional Banks (Cash-centric and physical branches)
If you prefer to go to a counter or need complex services (frequent cash deposits, loans), these are the main options.

- Sparkasse: It is not a single bank, but a network of regional banks (e.g. Berliner Sparkasse, Stadtsparkasse München).
- Advantage: They have the largest number of ATMs and branches in Germany. You can find a Sparkasse on every street corner.
- Costs: Free for students (usually up to 25 or 26 years old). Otherwise, it costs between €4 and €9 per month.
- Cons: If you open an account at Sparkasse Berlin and move to Hamburg, you will have to move your account to the local branch for certain complex operations.
- Commerzbank: The second largest in Germany.
- Costs: The account called “Girokonto Basic” is free if you run at least €700 per month through it (or if you are a student). Otherwise, it costs €9.90/month.
- Pros: You can deposit cash for free at their special ATMs in the branches.
- Deutsche Bank: The largest bank in the country.
- Costs: Offers the “Das Junge Konto” account which is completely free for students up to the age of 30.
- Pros: Internationally recognized, very solid consulting services.

Be aware of the difference between cards in Germany

When opening an account in Germany, you will often hear two terms:

1. Girocard (formerly EC-Card): This is the German national card. Many small shops, bakeries or public institutions in Germany accept ONLY Girocard and refuse Visa or Mastercard. Traditional banks (Sparkasse, Commerzbank) offer this card automatically.

2. Visa/Mastercard Debit: Cards offered by digital banks (such as N26). They are perfect for online payments and large retailers, but you may be refused at some kiosks or local restaurants where it says "Nur EC-Karte" (Only Girocard).