To help you settle in and make sure your stay in Germany remains legally compliant, please complete the following recommended steps after your arrival in Berlin.
Please email us at visasupport.berlin@escp.eu a clear copy of your current visa/residence permit so that we can update your student record.
Enter Berlin on the basis of your valid German visa or a Schengen residence permit if you are a non-EU student. EU students need their valid original passport and/or national ID card for entry. Move in to your long-term accommodation in Berlin.
If you are staying longer than 90 days in Germany, register your address in Berlin (Anmeldung) within 14 days of moving into your accommodation. You can either complete the registration or schedule an appointment for a future date within this period. More information is available under the dedicated section on Housing - City Registration. Note that the 'Anmeldung' process is applicable irrespective of your nationality and is not the same as a 'German residence permit' process (please refer further to point no.9).
Attend the induction activities relevant to your study programme. For academic questions, please always contact your Programme Office on Berlin campus. You will find the full contact list over here: Click here
Request your matriculation letter for the current semester from your Programme Office. You will need this document for some of the next steps.
5. Obtaining Your German Tax ID and Social Security Number
After completing your Anmeldung, your German tax identification number and social security number will usually be sent to you by post within 4-6 weeks. You will need these numbers if you plan to work in Germany. In case you do not receive these numbers, please contact your district's tax office and the German pension insurance office.
6. Opening a Bank Account
Open a German bank account or another European bank account with an IBAN. You will need one for your everday expenses in Berlin.
7. Activating Your Blocked Bank Account
If you used a blocked bank account (for example - through Expatrio or Fintiba) for your visa application, activate it so that you can receive your monthly payments. To activate a blocked bank account, in general, you will require a registered address in Berlin (Anmeldung), an IBAN, and a valid German visa or a German residence permit. The documentation and the procedure may vary depending upon your nationality and the blocked bank account provider.
8. Registering for German Health Insurance
Subscribe or activate your German health insurance and request a membership certificate from your insurance provider. Health insurance contributions apply from the start of your semester in Berlin and is mandatorily required to be enrolled in your study programme at a German educational institution.
9. Applying for a German Residence Permit
Check how long your visa is valid and if applicable, submit an application for a German residence permit to maintain your lawful stay in Germany:
If your German student visa covers your entire stay, no further residence permit may be necessary.
If your German student visa does not cover your full stay (for example - it expires within four months), you may generally apply for a German student residence permit up to four months before your visa expires by submitting an application to the Berlin Immigration Office. If you have a registered address in another German city, you may refer to the procedure applicable at the local immigration office.
10. Passport and Residence Documents Validity
Make sure that your passport and residence document remain valid throughout your stay in Germany.
11. Working While Studying in Germany
If you plan to work, please read the current rules for international students under the dedicated section on Working while studying.
If you plan to take part in a semester abroad, study trip, or another academic activity outside Germany, check the visa requirements of the destination country at least six months in advance. As a non-EU student, you may need a separate visa. The German visa or residence permit allows the holder to study/work only in Germany. If you are registered in Berlin and legally residing in Germany, you may often be able to apply for a separate visa at the relevant embassy or consulate in Germany instead of returning to your home country.
If you would like to stay in Germany after completing your studies, you may be eligible for an 18-month residence permit to look for a job if you receive a German degree. More information is available under the dedicated section on Post study pathways.
If you intend to maintain your German residence title, ensure that your stay outside of Germany does not exceed an uninterrupted period of six months. In cases where it could, please proactively inform the Berlin Immigration Office using an online contact form before your departure to obtain a pre-approval.
