'What to Do After Being Admitted to a German University: A Checklist for

Admission to a German university is only the first step in the move. After receiving the Zulassungsbescheid, students need to quickly take care of practical matters: find housing, register at their new address, get health insurance, prepare documents for the university, and settle into daily life. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the first few weeks.

1. Check your admission letter and enrollment deadlines

Carefully read your Zulassungsbescheid and any letters from the university. They usually specify the deadline for Immatrikulation, which documents to upload to the portal, and when to pay the Semesterbeitrag.

Most often, you’ll need:

passport and, if applicable, a student visa or Aufenthaltstitel;
proof of high school or previous higher education;
proof of language proficiency, if the university requires it separately;
proof of health insurance;
receipt for payment of the semester tuition fee;
a photo for your student ID, if you’re asked to upload it in advance.

Deadlines vary by university. If a document is delayed, it’s best to contact the Student Affairs Office or the International Office before the deadline, rather than after it.

2. Start looking for housing as early as possible

Housing remains one of the most challenging issues for international students. Consider several options at once: Studierendenwerk dorms, shared rooms (WG), temporary housing for the first few weeks, and private apartments.

When choosing housing, check the following:

Is it possible to register (Anmeldung) at this address?
Are heating and utility bills included in the Warmmiete?
Who is listed as the landlord, and is it possible to obtain a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?
Check if there is a minimum lease term (Mindestmietdauer), a notice period (Kündigungsfrist), and a security deposit;
Is the location convenient in terms of travel time to campus?

Do not transfer the security deposit until you have signed a clear lease agreement and verified the landlord’s credentials. For temporary housing, it is especially important to confirm in advance whether the landlord will provide the necessary documentation for registration.

3. Register at your address: Anmeldung

After moving into your new home in Germany, you must register your address at the Bürgeramt, Einwohnermeldeamt, or Bürgerbüro. The general rule is to complete the registration (Anmeldung) within two weeks of moving in. In large cities, available appointment slots may not open up immediately, so it’s best to look for an appointment in advance and check regularly for new openings.

The following are usually accepted:

passport;
a completed city registration form;
A “Wohnungsgeberbestätigung” from the landlord or the person providing the housing;
If necessary, a visa, residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel), or additional documents for family members.

A Mietvertrag alone usually does not replace a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. After registering, you will receive a Meldebescheinigung: this is often required for the bank, insurance, dealing with government agencies, and other everyday procedures.

4. Sort out your insurance before classes start

Health insurance is mandatory for studying in Germany. To enroll at a university, you’ll usually need electronic confirmation of your insurance status from a German Krankenkasse or proof of exemption from mandatory insurance if you have recognized coverage from another system.

What to check in advance:

Is your current insurance valid for studying in Germany?
Do you need public health insurance (Krankenkasse) or private insurance?;
How the insurance company sends confirmation to the university;
the start date of coverage.

If your situation is unusual—for example, if you’re older than the typical student, already working, or coming on a scholarship—it’s best to check the rules with the university and your insurance provider before enrollment.

5. Open a bank account and set up payments

A German bank account makes it easier to pay rent, insurance, tuition, and other regular bills. Bank requirements vary: you’ll usually need a passport, a German address, and sometimes a Meldebescheinigung, visa, or Aufenthaltstitel. The identification process may differ for online banks.

When choosing a bank account, pay attention to:

the monthly fee and terms of the student rate;
Have a Girocard, Visa debit card, or Mastercard;
the ability to make SEPA transfers and use Lastschrift;
requirements regarding address, documents, and residency status;
support in English or another language of your choice.

The Girocard can still come in handy in some places where international cards are accepted only to a limited extent. However, for online purchases and travel, it’s often more convenient to have a Visa or Mastercard debit card.

6. Buy a SIM card and complete the registration process

You’ll need a German phone number for banking, deliveries, and communicating with landlords and university services. You can buy a prepaid SIM card at a supermarket, newsstand, carrier store, or online, but the owner’s information will be verified against an ID before activation. Contract plans have more specific terms regarding duration and cancellation policies than prepaid plans, so be sure to read the terms and conditions before signing.

Check before purchasing:

Is there cell service in the area where you’ll be living and on campus?
How much mobile data is included;
How the identification process works;
Is it possible to cancel or change your plan without a long-term commitment?

7. Put together a folder of documents

In Germany, many matters are handled through letters, confirmations, and reference numbers. It’s helpful to have a physical folder and a secure digital copy of your documents.

Essentials:

passport, visa, residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel), or confirmation of registration with the Foreigners’ Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde);
Letter of admission and enrollment documents;
Meldebescheinigung;
Landlord’s confirmation and lease agreement;
proof of health insurance;
bank account agreement;
Tax identification number, once it arrives in the mail after registration;
Documents regarding your scholarship, financial aid, or blocked account, if applicable.

It’s best to store scans separately from the originals. This doesn’t replace the documents themselves, but it helps you recover the information more quickly if they’re lost.

8. Get Involved in University Life

During the first few weeks, it’s helpful to attend the Orientierungstage and get to know the International Office, the student council (Fachschaft), and the library. There, they usually explain how the schedule, exams, and learning platforms work, as well as how to get a student ID, discounts, and a semester-long public transportation pass—if your university or state offers one.

A Quick Checklist for the First Few Weeks

Accept your admission and complete enrollment on time.
Find housing where you can register your address (Anmeldung).
Obtain a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung.
Register at your address within two weeks of moving in.
Obtain or confirm health insurance.
Open a bank account and set up recurring payments.
Buy a SIM card and complete the identification process.
Keep all documents in both paper and electronic form.
Attend the university’s orientation events.

Common Mistakes

Look for housing only after you arrive and expect to sign a lease quickly.
Sign a lease without checking the Warmmiete, security deposit, and cancellation period.
Assuming that the Mietvertrag automatically replaces the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung.
Don’t put off getting insurance until the very last day of enrollment.
Don’t read the terms of your cell phone contract or bank account plan.
Ignoring emails from the university: many important notifications are sent there.