International researchers

You are planning a research stay or doctoral studies at the University of Hamburg and are looking for an academic host for your stay? You will find information on how you can contact a potential academic host on EURAXESS Germany.

You would like to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Hamburg? The Support for Doctoral and Early Career Researchers provides information for the preparation of your doctoral studies at the University of Hamburg including how to choose a doctoral supervisor.

Find out in good time whether you need to apply for a visa to enter Germany for the purpose of research or doctoral work.

To enter the Federal Republic of Germany, you normally need an entry visa. Make sure you apply for this visa in good time at the German diplomatic mission in your home country. EU nationals and nationals of certain countries (e.g., Australia, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Canada, Liechtenstein, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States) do not need a visa to enter Germany.

• See the list of countries for which there is / is not a visa requirement on the multilingual web page of the Federal Foreign Office. This page also contains information about applying for a visa.
• For special information, see the web page of the diplomatic mission responsible for you.
• Note that the 3-month Schengen visa (tourist visa, visitor’s visa, business visa, visa to attend a language course without the intention of pursuing university study) cannot be converted into a residence permit in Germany. In this case, you must leave Germany and reenter with a special visa issued by the diplomatic mission responsible.

If you enter Germany from a non-EU country, you must prove you have sufficient financial resources when you apply for the visa. If you can enter Germany without a visa, you must prove you have sufficient financial resources when you apply for a residence permit.

Researchers from non-EU countries who plan to stay more than 90 days need a hosting agreement to apply for their visa and residence permit. Please ask your hosting institution to fill in the hosting agreement for you.

Application for a visa

Family members with citizenship of an EU or EEA country do not need a visa if they would like to accompany you during your research stay.

If family members with citizenship of a third country would like to accompany you, please refer to the information on the visa application procedures for your family members on the website of the relevant German mission abroad. You will find further information on the topic of family reunification on the website of the Hamburg Welcome Portal.

Third-country nationals of certain countries do not need a visa to enter Germany: for instance, Australia, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Canada, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the USA.

In case your family members will need visas to accompany you, it is advisable that you and your family members apply for your visas together.

Please also refer to the website of the relevant German mission abroad for information on the regulations for using foreign public documents in Germany.

Application for a residence permit

For a long-term stay in Germany, i.e., more than 90 days, the family members accompanying you will need to apply for residence permits after their arrival in Germany. The Hamburg Welcome Portal provides a list of required documents for your family members' applications for a residence permit ("Checklist Family Reunification"). Please also remember to bring relevant documents, such as your marriage certificate and, if applicable, your children's birth certificates to Germany with you.  

Work permit for spouses

Spouses with citizenship of a third country who have obtained a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification may take up employment in Germany without additionally applying for a work permit.

If you wish to research in Germany or are enrolled to do doctoral work, you must have sufficient health insurance. You will need to prove this when, for example, you apply for your residence permit.

Travel health insurance does not generally meet the statutory requirements. At most, it covers your entry into Germany and/or a stay of up to 90 days.

Health insurance is one of the five pillars of Germany’s social security system. The other four are: unemployment insurance, accident insurance, retirement benefits, and nursing care benefits. Health insurance is divided into public (state) health insurance and private health insurance.

The type of insurance you may (or must) choose depends on the purpose of your stay in Germany and how you are financing your stay. Different requirements apply for EU nationals and non-EU citizens. 

If you are undertaking a doctorate at the University of Hamburg, you can also find advice from the Counselling Centre for Social and International Affairs run by Studierendenwerk Hamburg.

More useful links:

• Hamburg Welcome Portal
• Overview of public and private health insurance providers

You will find further information on housing on the website of our Housing Service.

When you move to Hamburg, you will need to register your address at your local customer service center. This has to be done within 2 weeks of arrival in Hamburg. You can book an appointment with a Hamburg customer service center online. You can also get your registration forms online. 

See this video with step-by-step instructions.

Be aware that if you do not live in Hamburg, but rather—for example—in Lower Saxony or Schleswig-Holstein, other customer service centers are responsible for you. 

Every household in Germany must pay a radio and television broadcast fee. Even if you live in a student dormitory, your room—if it is not part of a shared flat—is probably considered its own household and you must therefore pay the fee. The fee can be waived only in exceptional cases and for certain reasons. See the web pages on the radio and television broadcast fee for exact regulations regarding the fee obligation. Find multilingual information on this website.

In Germany, many business transactions are handled without cash via a bank account. If you are planning a longer stay, we advise you to open a bank account at a German bank. A bank account will enable you to make regular payments, for example for rent or electricity, from this account via automatic payments or a direct transfer.

The most common and practical type of account is the so-called “Girokonto” (a current account).

Opening an account
Opening a bank account is usually easy. You will need to submit the following documents:

• registration certificate,
• identity card,
• student ID or proof of admission to doctoral studies,
• proof of income will make it easier to open a bank account (pay stubs, bank statements, or proof that you hold a scholarship).

Generally, banks charge account fees. These vary depending on the bank and thescope of services. Therefore, we suggest comparing banks and accounts.

Eurocheck card / Maestro card
Shortly after you open your account, you will receive a Eurocheck card (EC card) or Maestro card and PIN. The EC and/or Maestro card can be used for cashless payments and to take money out of cash machines in Germany or abroad. The EC card is more popular and more widely used than credit cards.

There are no extra service charges to take money out of one of your own bank’s or banking group’s cash machines but service charges are levied by other banks. The charges generally run between €2 and €5. Charges are higher abroad.

Credit card
In Germany, credit cards are not as popular as in other countries. Small shops often do not accept credit cards.

You will find further information about this topic on the website of the Hamburg Welcome Portal.

If you have entered Germany with a visa, or if you are allowed to enter for 90 days without a visa, you must apply for a residence permit within the first few weeks of your arrival if you intend to stay in Germany for more than 90 days. You will be able to apply for a residence permit after you will have registered your new address in Hamburg.

Please use the online service “Residence Permit Hamburg” to request an appointment with the local immigration office for your application for a residence permit. Via the online service you can already upload important documents for your application for a residence permit. Here you will find a checklist of documents you need to apply for a residence permit. After the completion of the online service you will receive a confirmation per email with further information.

After you have arrived in Hamburg and applied for your residence permit, you will have to renew it regularly before it expires. 

Once you have successfully completed your degree, you will need to inform your local immigration office. Depending on your previous residence permit, there are various options for staying on in Germany.

If you have any questions about your residence permit, contact the Welcome Service: Registration form.

Residence permit rights and obligations (staying in Germany for the purpose of working as a visiting scholar or member of academic staff), Section 18b AufenthG, Section 18d AufenthG

Rights:

• You may leave and reenter Germany as often as you wish. You should note, however, that you may not spend more than 6 months at a time outside Germany. If you do, your residence permit expires.
• You may complete a research stay abroad and benefit from the more relaxed visa conditions within the EU. If you spend more than 6 months outside of Germany for the purpose of research, notify your local immigration office.

Obligations:

• Make sure to extend your residence permit before it expires.
• Notify your local immigration office about any changes in your status (e.g., changes in financing).

Student residence permit rights and obligations (for the purpose of doctoral work), Section 16b AufenthG

Rights:

• You can have a part-time job for 140 full days or 280 half days of a calendar year. However, this applies only to salaried employment. Freelance activities (e.g., translation, language courses offered on an hourly basis) must be authorized by the local immigration office.
• You may leave and reenter Germany as often as you wish. You should note, however, that you may not spend more than 6 months at a time outside Germany. If you do, your residence permit expires.
• You may complete a research stay abroad and benefit from the more relaxed visa conditions within the EU. If you spend more than 6 months outside of Germany for the purpose of research, notify your local immigration office.

Obligations:

• Make sure to extend your residence permit before it expires.
• Notify your local immigration office about any changes in your status (e.g., changes in financing, completion of your doctoral studies).
• Make sure that the entire duration of your stay for the purpose of study (doctoral work) does not exceed 5 years.
• You may have a part-time job for 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year—freelance work must be authorized by the local immigration office.

The Hamburg Research Academy advises on funding options for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers.

The Research in Germany portal also contains comprehensive information on funding for international postdocs and international visiting scholars.

During your stay as a visiting scholar, you may accrue costs for research travel, conference participation, etc.

International researchers at the University of Hamburg can get advice on doctoral and research funding from Section 43: Support for Doctoral and Early Career Researchers.

The University of Hamburg’s Family Office gives support and advice on family matters. Personal contact can often be helpful to clarify any uncertainties and discuss any issues (e.g., balancing an academic career and family life). The Family Office also publishes useful handouts and brochures.

Children

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has provided a brochure containg comprehensive information about pregnancy and statutory maternity leave, parental leave, and your right to child benefits.

Childcare

Hamburg has greatly increased its number of childcare centers. Costs are based on parental income, and can be estimated using Hamburg’s childcare information system.

Schooling

Are you moving to Hamburg with school-aged children? The Hamburg portal provides detailed information on our diverse schooling options. Furthermore, Hamburg has a number of bilingual childcare centers and international schooling options.

You may need support or advice during your time as a doctoral researcher or visiting scholar. Universität Hamburg offers myriad professional and confidential advising and counseling services. You can also find other similar offers throughout Hamburg.

University advising offices

• Center for Health and Workplace Cooperation
  Center for Health and Workplace Cooperation’s services are available to all employees of the University of Hamburg. They provide advice and support in occupational health matters, conflict prevention and resolution, social work, addiction prevention, and sexual discrimination. They also offer workshops and talks.
• The Family Office—helping parents in academia
  The University of Hamburg’s Family Office provides advice and support for, among other things, pregnant postdocs and junior professors, postdocs and junior professors with children, and junior professors taking care of relatives.

Further counseling offices in Hamburg

• Mieter helfen Mietern (advocacy organization for renters)
  This organization helps tenants who have problems with the rental contracts or landlords. You must be a member. Based on the supporting documents you provide, lawyers will answer your questions, clarify your rights, and help you formulate letters.
• Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg (consumer protection agency)
  The consumer protection agency Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg can advise you on many topics, such as broadcasting fees, insurance policies, and mobile phone contracts. See the website of the Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg e.V. for an overview of topics.
• ÖRA (public legal advice)
  Legal consultation is available in all areas of the law. Anyone with a low income and who lives or works in Hamburg can get legal advice.
• Women’s advising services
  The women’s advising service supports women in matters related to marriage/partnership, family, separation, divorce, single motherhood, violence, and workplace conflicts.

There are many ways to learn German (or another language) in Hamburg.

See the following pages for information about language courses at the University of Hamburg. 

German as a foreign language

Language courses (starting from levels A1 and A2 general languages at the University of Hamburg)—please note that there are course fees!

Special Courses offered by the University Language Center and specifically aimed at international researchers and doctoral candidates.

Language courses (starting from level B1 from the University Language Center)

Language Café and Language Tandem at PIASTA (for doctoral researchers).

Courses for other foreign languages

Modern foreign language courses offered by the University Language Center

In addition to the University, there are other possibilities for taking part in a language course, either online or from other language providers. Find out more on the Hamburg Welcome Portal.

Using the State and University Library Carl von Ossietzky

If your research stay lasts at least 4 weeks, you can use a library card for the State and University Library Carl von Ossietzky. You can get the card online or at the information desk on the ground floor of the State and University Library Carl von Ossietzky. See the requirements and forms on the website for the list of documents that you will need to apply for the library card.

If you are a visiting scholar at the University of Hamburg, you will also need, in addition to the documents listed on the website, proof that you are a visiting scholar. A template of this document can also be found on the website. You must have the certificate signed and stamped by your institution at the University of Hamburg.

University Sports

More information on University Sports

Student dining halls and cafeterias

The student dining halls and cafeterias on the University’s campus are run by Studierendenwerk Hamburg. Staff and students enjoy discounts. More information on Studierendenwerk’s dining halls and cafeterias

Information on living in Hamburg

After your stay at the University of Hamburg, you might like to return to your country. Or perhaps you have found a job in another country. Make sure that, as you did when your arrived in Hamburg, you complete the necessary steps before you leave.

• Terminate your rental contract.
• If necessary, terminate contracts for water, heating, and electricity.
• Radio and television broadcast fee: De-register your apartment.
• Terminate your bank account.
• Terminate insurance policies.
• De-register your residential address.

If you have a contract with the University of Hamburg, HR Development can help you.

The University of Hamburg’s Career and Qualification Center (CQC) offers University students and graduates counseling, coaching, and workshops on starting a career. 

The Hamburg Research Academy offers events on career opportunities for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers.

The Make It in Germany initiative is an information portal for international experts who wish to work in Germany.

The network Integration through Qualification informs and advises international students and graduates who wish to found a business in Germany.

Arbeit und Leben Hamburg is a charitable institution in Hamburg that provides general legal advice about the German labor market. Their IQ Projekt "Faire Integration" can answer questions about work contracts.

Whether you wish to develop your transferable skills or gain teaching experience, our broad range of courses can help you take the next steps.Taking part in our seminars is also a good opportunity to meet other researchers with similar questions and exchange ideas.

Hamburg Research Academy: transferable skills, networking opportunities, advice

HR Development: advice, workshops on transferable skills, talks

Hamburg Center for University Teaching and Learning: advanced qualifications for teaching, advice, talks

Career & Qualification Center (CQC): seminars, workshops, advice on starting a career, and application document reviews

State and University Library (Stabi): Tours and workshops in the Stabi and the department libraries