You are coming to Erlangen or Nuremberg to study, research or work at FAU?

Great!

Your time at FAU might just be the best time of your life, and even better if you manage

all the tasks that await you upon arrival.

We gathered some information that is important for everyone who moves to Germany.

If you're not an EU citizen, you have to apply for a visa before you come to Germany,

especially if you have a work contract.

Please inform yourself at the nearest German embassy or consulate in your home country

about the requirements.

The sooner, the better.

Because sometimes the waiting period for an appointment can be longer than expected.

The region of Erlangen and Nuremberg is a very desirable area to live and work in.

This leads to quite a serious shortage of housing.

We therefore recommend you to start looking for accommodation early.

You should start looking before you arrive here and you should remain flexible in terms

of location.

Both Erlangen and Nuremberg are cities with a good public transportation system and good

cycling routes.

Therefore commuting is very easy.

On FAU's website we gather the most important information and sources for you.

Please keep in mind that public student accommodation is only available for bachelor's and master's

degree students.

After you've found accommodation, make sure to read your contract carefully.

It is important to know all the obligations mentioned in the contract because your landlord

might charge you extra costs if you breach one of the conditions mentioned in the contract.

Every person who's staying in Germany for longer than 90 days for other reasons than

tourism needs to register the German address at the local town hall.

For the registration you need a document from your landlord called Wohnungsgeberbestätigung

and your passport or ID card.

If you're going to live in Germany with your spouse you will have a translation of your

marriage certificate and if you're bringing your children with you, you need a translated

version of their birth certificates.

Shortly after you'll receive a letter with your German text ID and also a letter from

the broadcasting service ARD ZDF and Deutschlandradio.

The fee for the service needs to be paid regularly by every household.

For exceptions please check their websites.

Citizens from non-EU countries usually need to apply for residence permit in order to

study, work and live in Germany.

To obtain a residence permit you need to contact the immigration office at your place of living

after you registered in the town hall unless your visa is valid for your entire stay.

To apply for residence permit an appointment is usually required so do check the immigration

office's website with enough time in advance.

When applying for an appointment you will also receive a full list of the documents required

for the process.

Especially as a non-EU citizen having a German bank account makes your daily life a lot easier.

Some landlords will only take your rent from a German account and some employers will only

want to pay you to a German account.

In Germany it is common to pay with cash or with a debit card.

Credit card is used on a less frequent basis.

Credit card payment might not be available at all in some shops.