FAQ for international visiting students

It depends on your citizenship.

In general, you can use the following as a guide:

• You come from the EU, the European Economic Area or Switzerland
  ¡ú You do not need a visa to enter the country.
• You are not from the EU, the European Economic Area or Switzerland
  ¡ú You need a visa to enter the country.

Important: There are many exceptions. Therefore, it is essential that you check the list of visa requirements/exceptions by country.

Even if you already have a residence permit for another EU country, you may still be subject to the Rest Directive.

You can find out more here.

If you are eligible to enter Germany without a visa, you can apply for your residence permit online at the City of Osnabr¨¹ck website. You will receive a detailed email with more information about this after your arrival.

In order to obtain a visa or residence permit, you must submit the following documents:

• Proof of financial means showing that you have at least €934 per month
• Copies of all pages of your passport containing information or stamps
• A certificate of admission or enrollment from Osnabr¨¹ck University of Applied Sciences
• Proof of sufficient health insurance coverage
• A certificate of residence
• Any other documents required by the German diplomatic mission in your home country or the foreigners authority in Germany

Providing financial proof shows the German authorities that you have enough money to live on. Currently, you need to prove that you have around 1,000 euros per month. There are various options available to you:

• Blocked bank account
  A bank account that you set up before you leave for Germany. After you enter Germany, you can only withdraw a certain amount of money (around 1,000 euros) each month. If you come to Germany for one semester, you must have around 6,000 euros in your blocked account. If you stay for two semesters, it will be around 12,000 euros.
• Proof of your parents' income
  Proof of your parents' financial circumstances that shows they can support you financially throughout your studies.
• Scholarship Certificate:
  A certificate from a recognized scholarship provider confirming your funding.
• Letter of Commitment:
  An official document in which a relative or friend who is a resident of Germany agrees to cover your costs.
• Bank guarantee
  The guarantee from a bank that ensures that your financial needs are covered.

You can find more detailed information here.

All students moving to Osnabr¨¹ck must register their new address with the city administration within the first week of moving in. This must be done within the first week of moving in!

After you arrive, you will receive a detailed email from us with all the necessary steps and links.

You must schedule an appointment online to register with the City of Osnabr¨¹ck. Registration takes place on site at the Osnabr¨¹ck B¨¹rgeramt.

To register a new address in Osnabr¨¹ck, please bring the following documents to your appointment:

• A copy of your identity card or passport
• A copy of your enrollment certificate from Osnabr¨¹ck University of Applied Sciences.
• A confirmation form from our housing agency or your landlord, if you are not living in a housing agency room.

Important: Remember to deregister with the City of Osnabr¨¹ck after completing your studies at Osnabr¨¹ck University of Applied Sciences!

Enrollment at a German university requires sufficient health insurance coverage.

There are two options for your health insurance:

• You have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
  You must have your EHIC checked by a German public health insurance company. You can do this  ¡­
  • ... at one of the branches in Osnabr¨¹ck.
  • ¡­ digitally from abroad, e.g. using the Techniker Krankenkasse online form: Confirmation of insurance for enrolment at university

  The German health insurance company must then confirm digitally to the university that your EHIC is valid.
  Ensure that your EHIC is valid for your entire stay.

• You do not have a EHIC
  Before you enter Germany, you must apply to a German public health insurance company. You can find out how to do this in our information on health insurance.
  The health insurance company must notify Osnabr¨¹ck University of Applied Sciences digitally that you are insured. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to accept a notification that you submit to us yourself.
  Make sure that ¡­
  • ¡­the spelling of your name (e.g. special characters) on your application for health insurance is identical to the spelling on your application in Mobility Online
  • ¡­ you inform the health insurance company that you will be studying at Osnabr¨¹ck University of Applied Sciences (not at Osnabr¨¹ck University).
  Only then can the university assign the digital notification to you.

You have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
You must have your EHIC checked by a German public health insurance company. You can do this  ¡­

• ... at one of the branches in Osnabr¨¹ck.
• ¡­ digitally from abroad, e.g. using the Techniker Krankenkasse online form: Confirmation of insurance for enrolment at university

The German health insurance company must then confirm digitally to the university that your EHIC is valid.
Ensure that your EHIC is valid for your entire stay.

You do not have a EHIC
Before entering Germany, you must obtain German health insurance. This process often takes a long time, so make sure you plan accordingly. Here's how to take out German health insurance:

Before applying for a visa or entering the country:

• You ask a German statutory health insurance fund for an application form.
• You fill out the form.
• You send the form back to the health insurance company together with a copy of your passport and the letter of admission from Osnabr¨¹ck University of Applied Sciences.
• You will receive a provisional health insurance certificate. The health insurance company will notify Osnabr¨¹ck University of Applied Sciences digitally that you are insured.
• You can enclose the certificate with your visa application.

Once you have an address in Germany:

1. Provide your German address to your German health insurance company.
2. The health insurance company will respond with instructions on whether you need to submit additional documents. These documents may include your German account's IBAN number for health insurance contributions or a registration certificate from the City of Osnabr¨¹ck.
3. You submit the missing documents.
   Important: If you forget to do this, your certificate will become invalid. You will then have no insurance coverage, and you may be de-registered.
4. The health insurance company will accept your membership.
5. You will receive a chip card from your German health insurance company. If you need to see a doctor or go to the hospital, present this card.
6. The doctor or hospital will then settle the costs directly with the insurance company. You do not have to pay for your treatment yourself.

Important: Make sure that ¡­

• ¡­the spelling of your name (e.g. special characters) on your application for health insurance is identical to the spelling on your application in Mobility Online
• ¡­ you inform the health insurance company that you will be studying at Osnabr¨¹ck University of Applied Sciences (not at Osnabr¨¹ck University).

Only then can the university assign the digital notification to you.

You can have your health insurance from your home country evaluated by a German statutory health insurance fund. The German health insurance company will evaluate your policy based on the following criteria:

• No major exclusions of benefits
• No limit to the costs to be reimbursed in the event of illness
• Insurance contract concluded for an indefinite period

If these criteria are met, the German health insurance company will issue you a certificate of exemption. This means that you are not required to purchase German health insurance.

Important: This is very rarely the case. Take care of this early on in case you are rejected and need to take out German health insurance.

The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is a system for the transfer and accumulation of academic credits. It is standardized and intended to promote and simplify the recognition of academic achievements between European universities.

ECTS points represent the student workload. This includes time spent in class, as well as time spent outside of class on preparation and follow-up work for lectures, exam preparation, homework, laboratory practicals, and so on. One ECTS point corresponds to 25¨C30 working hours.

Typically, students earn 30 ECTS points per semester. At Osnabr¨¹ck University of Applied Sciences, most modules are worth 5 ECTS, corresponding to a workload of 125-150 hours.

In Germany, university studies are primarily funded by taxes. This means that tuition is free at public universities.

However, students do pay a semester fee each semester. At Osnabr¨¹ck University of Applied Sciences, for example, the semester fee is around 360 euros. This amount is recalculated each semester.

The semester fee is reduced for you if you ...

• ... are studying at Osnabr¨¹ck University of Applied Sciences as part of an exchange agreement with a partner university.
• ... receive a scholarship financed by German public funds (e.g. a DAAD scholarship).

You will then pay a semester fee, which is reduced by the administration fee (75 euros).

The semester fee includes:

• Administrative costs, e.g., enrollment or re-registration fees
• A social contribution to the Studierendenwerk for operating canteens, cafeterias, student housing, and counseling centers
• A contribution to the student council (AStA)
• A contribution to the semester ticket (Deutschlandsemesterticket). With the Deutschlandsemesterticket, you can ride buses and regional trains throughout Germany free of charge

Compared to many other German cities, the cost of living in Osnabr¨¹ck and Lingen is relatively low. This is partly due to lower apartment rents.

The amount of money you will need during your time here will, of course, depend on your habits and needs.

On average, however, we can say the following:

Housing
between €350 and €450/month

TV and radio fees (mandatory)
approximately 18 euros/month

Meals:
3-4 euros for lunch in the cafeteria (+ 150-200 euros/month for other meals)

Statutory health insurance
approximately  110 euros/month

Public transportation
Free with the semester ticket (Deutschlandsemesterticket)

Also, plan for one-time expenses at the beginning of your stay:

Semester fee
approx. 360 euros/ semester (more information under semester fee)

Residence permit for non-EU citizens
approx. 110 euros for the initial permit, possibly 80 euros for an extension

If you find a room through the Housing Service: Deposit for a room in a hall of residence  

• 400 euros for a rental period of three months or longer
• 250 euros for a rental period of less than three months.

The deposit will be refunded at the end of your stay if the room is in good condition.

Furnishing your room in the residence hall
approx. 150 euros (for items such as a pillow, bed linens, towels, crockery, and other kitchen equipment).

Important: To obtain a visa and residence permit in Germany, you must provide proof of financial means showing that you have access to approximately 1,000 euros per month. Make sure you plan for this!