Pre-Arrival
Once you have found an academic host and know that you will be spending time at the University of Freiburg, the first step should be to register your stay with the Welcome Service.
We will contact you once we receive your registration and let you know what formalities to take care of. Below you will already find some helpful information.
These are some of the documents that may be required for your stay in Germany (not all points apply to everyone):
- Passport or Identity Card, valid for the entire duration of your stay in Germany
- Visa
- Passport photos for ID cards and documents, biometric if necessary
- Confirmation of the financing of the stay (scholarship, salary from your home country) in German or English
- Proof of health insurance in German or English with confirmation of monthly contributions. If you are subject to compulsory insurance in Germany due to an employment contract: confirmation of your previous health insurance (for example European Health Insurance Card from your previous insurance company)
- Certified copies of your academic degrees in German or English translation
- Birth certificate and marriage certificate, if possible, with German or English translation. Certificates require an apostille or legalisation, depending on the country of issue.
- Copies and certified translations of your children’s birth certificates with apostille or legalisation if necessary
- Credit card and/or debit card
- International vaccination card and documents relating to chronic diseases or medication
- International driving licence or foreign driving licence
Initial information on visa requirements and the application process can be found on the Federal Foreign Office’s website.
The University of Freiburg has guest apartments for international visiting scholars. For housing enquiries, please refer to the International Office’s Housing pages.
If you are planning to bring children, your main point of contact is the university’s Family Service.
Further information on everything from the German school system to financial support can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Arrival
After the pre-arrival preparations, we are happy to welcome you in Freiburg. You can schedule an appointment to talk about the next steps.
Every international guest has to register their residence with the citizen’s center (Bürgerservice) within 14 days upon arrival. Only prescheduled appointments will be accepted. You can schedule an appointment online (in German).
The following documents will be needed:
- valid passport or ID document (of all accompanying family members)
- confirmation by the landlord or landlady: Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. This can also be filled out and submitted digitally by your landlord or landlady.
- if applicable: marriage certificate in English or German
- if applicable: birth certificate of your accompanying children in English or German
Depending on your nationality and status, a residence permit may be needed for a stay in Germany. The Welcome Service is happy to assist you with the application for a residence permit. Further information on residence law for international scholars can be found on the EURAXESS website.
Persons with a work contract at the University of Freiburg will receive the Unicard via Human Resources.
Enrolled doctoral candidates will receive the Unicard via mail after enrollment.
Scholarship holders will receive the Unicard at their academic department.
Life in a new country may include many unfamiliar aspects. Here you will find more information on life in Germany that will make your start a bit easier.
Departure
Before leaving Germany, there are some formal matters that you need to take care of, including:
Note: many rental agreements are permanent and cannot be terminated with immediate effect. In order to avoid unnecessary stress and costs, please check your rental agreement for the details of termination before you sign it. Your landlord or landlady will also be able to explain these details.
Within the city of Freiburg, a deregistration can be done online.
The compulsory Rundfunkbeitrag has to be cancelled before you leave Germany. This can be done online.
Please contact us if you need assistance with these or additional administrative processes before your departure.