Residence Permit

• If you are not a Schengen citizen but you have received a residence permit for your studies in Turin, Madrid or Paris (or any other Schengen country) and you're changing ESCP campus for this semester/year, you will need a residence permit.
  • Please make sure that your current residence permit is issued by the last country you have lived in before coming to Germany, that it's valid and is for study purpose.
  • If you are moving from France, please be aware that the "Attestation de Décision favorable" is not considered as a valid document from the immigration office.
• If you already have a valid German visa for the entire duration of your stay, you don't need to apply for a residence permit. Just make sure your visa states "MULT", so you can leave and re-enter Germany/the Schengen area multiple times.
  • However, if you plan to stay over your visa expiration date, a residence permit will be required and you must apply for a residence permit 2 months before the visa expiration date.
• If you you are planning to stay in Germany for less than 90 days, you won't need a residence permit.

You should apply for the residence permit ASAP after arrival, especially if you have to move to another Schengen location for the next semester.

In order to apply for a residence permit, you must:

• Be physically in Germany,
• Be signed up for a sufficient health insurance,
• Have found a place to stay and moved there,
• Have at least a signed lease and landlord confirmation,
• Book an appointment at a Bürgeramt (Citizen Office) or have already registered your Berlin address at a Bürgeramt,
• Have opened up a blocked bank account with sufficient funds (this is the most accepted proof besides a scholarship).

To help go through the whole application process we've prepared these checklists (make sure you follow the one that applies to your situation):

• First application: you seek a German residence permit upon arrival in Germany or because your entry visa is expiring within 60 days.
• Extension: you already have a valid residence permit but you have to extend it.
• Jobseeking: in case you are planning to work in Germany.

Good to know:

• The Immigration Office now only issues electronic resident permits (printed cards) if your stay exceeds 6 months and they cost €100.
• A German residence permit comes with an allowance of 120 full-day or 240 half-day work permit per year.