Before and during your studies at the University of Cologne, you need to take care of some organizational matters. Here you will find an overview of the formalities regarding immigration and residence that you should complete before your departure and shortly after your arrival in Cologne.
Entry to Germany
Visa regulations
EU/EEA citizens: EU/EEA citizens do not have to apply for a visa for entry into Germany.
Non-EU/EEA citizens: On the website of the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany you find further information on whether you need a visa for entering Germany. You can usually find an overview of the documents you need to submit to apply for a visa on the websites of the relevant German embassy or consulate in your home country.
If you need a visa to enter Germany, please apply for a national visa for the purpose of studying (not a tourist visa!) at the German embassy or consulate in your home country with the help of the official admission letter from the University of Cologne. You will receive an admission letter from the University of Cologne if you have successfully applied to study at the University of Cologne and have been offered a place.
Regardless of whether you enter Germany with or without a visa, as a non-EU/EEA citizen you must apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studying within 90 days after your arrival in Germany at the Foreigners Registration Office responsible for you - unless your visa is valid for more than the 90 days, then the application process is delayed accordingly.
NEW in 2025: For travelers from non-european visa-exempt countries, a travel authorisation called ETIAS will be required to enter most European countries. This has to be done before traveling. This authorisation procedure will start in the course of 2025 and has not yet started. See details here: European Union - ETIAS: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en
Financial proof for Visa application
If you apply for a visa, you have to submit a financial proof to the German authorities. This financial proof ensures that you are able to cover all living costs during your stay in Germany. The amount of money you have to prove is based on rates that also apply to German students (BAföG). At the moment it amounts to 992 Euro per month, that means 11,904 Euro for a stay of one year in Germany.
You must provide a proof of the sum of 11,904 Euro per year each time you renew your residence permit in Germany.
The financial proof can be proved by the following documents:
declaration of commitment - "Verpflichtungserklärung" (What is a "declaration of commitment"? - further information of the City of Cologne, in German language)
scholarship grant
bank statements
Not every German Embassy, German Consulate and Foreigners Registration office in Germany accepts every proof of financing!
We therefore strongly recommend opening a blocked account, as this proof of financing is certainly accepted by all embassies, consulates and authorities.
To avoid problems with proof of funding during your studies in Cologne, it is therefore advisable to keep the entire sum in the blocked account throughout your studies and to finance the expenses incurred during your studies - if possible - through different means (e.g. through part-time job, support from parents, etc.).
Organization of the stay in Germany
Registration of Residence in Germany
All students must register their residence in Germany ("Wohnsitz") at the responsible Registration Office ("Bezirksrathaus" or "Einwohnermeldeamt") within two weeks of moving in - this is mandatory for all citizens living in Germany.
Usually, you need the following documents for residence registration:
personal I.D. (for EU/EEA-citizens) or passport (for non-EU/EEA citizens, including the visa or residence permit)
"Wohnungsgeberbestätigung" - confirmation of your landlord. The form is available at the Registration Office of your city or online on their websites
If you live in the City of Cologne: Please register in the Registration Office of the district you live in. Alternatively, you can also register at the Registration Office of ”Innenstadt”, no matter what place of residence.
If you live in another city (e.g. Leverkusen, Bergisch Gladbach, Bonn etc.): Please register at the Registration Office of your city.
Note: Please keep you registration certificate (“Meldebescheinigung”) in a safe place. You may need it for opening a bank account or for applying for your residence permit.
Tax Identification Number ("Steueridentifikationsnummer"/"Steuer-ID")
Every resident in Germany is issued a unique tax ID number („Steueridentifikationsnummer“) for a life time once registered a residence in Germany for the first time. Once you have successfully registered your residency in the Registration Office („Anmeldung des Wohnsitzes“), your tax ID will be sent to you by post within two to three weeks. In order to avoid any delays, we recommend that you ask for your tax ID number when registering at the Registration Office.
The tax ID number consists of 11 numbers in the format 00 000 000 000 and is also known as “Steueridentifikationsnummer”, „steuerliche Identifikationsnummer“, „Steuer-IdNr.“, „IdNr.“ or „Steuer-ID“.
It is important to note that your tax ID number is necessary to open a bank account in Germany.
If you already live in Germany for a while and you still did not receive your tax ID number, you can request it at any time at the Federal Central Tax Office („Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt)“).
Residence Permit for study purposes
EU/EEA citizens: Students from EU/EEA countries do not have to apply for a residence permit during their studies in Germany.
Non-EU/EEA citizens: Students from non-EU/EEA countries have to apply for a residence permit within 90 days after their entry into Germany at the Foreigner's Registration Office - whether or not they entered Germany with a visa. If your visa is valid for more than 90 days, then the application process is delayed accordingly.
Necessary documents for the residence permit application are the following:
completed application form
proof of residence registration in Germany
passport (with visa, if required)
1 biometric passport photo
current proof of enrollment of the University of Cologne
proof of financial self-sufficiency (blocked account, declaration of commitment ("Verpflichtungserklärung"), scholarship grant, bank statements
proof of health insurance coverage from a German statutory health insurance (or an exemption certificate ("Befreiungsbescheinigung") from a German statutory health insurer in case of private health insurance)
In some cases other documents may be necessary - in this case you will be informed by the Foreigner's Registration Office.
If you live in the City of Cologne: Please apply online for an “Application for a residence permit” on the website of the City of Cologne. If you never had a residence permit before, please opt for "Initial application". If you wish to extend your current residence permit, please opt for "Application for extension of the residence permit". Only after the City of Cologne has received your online application form, there will give you an appointment at one of the District Foreigners Registration Offices in Cologne for informing you on the next steps!
If you live in the City of Hürth: The Foreigner's Registration Office in Bergheim is responsible for you. Please make an online appointment on the website of the Foreigner's Registration Office of Rhein-Erft in Bergheim, both for the initial application and the extension of your residence permit. Afterwards you will receive further information on the documents you have to submit.
If you live in another city (Leverkusen, Bergisch Gladbach, Bonn etc.): Please contact the responsible Foreigner's Registration Office of your city and inform yourself on the application procedure.
A residence permit for study purposes usually is issued for one to a max. of two years. Therefore, it must be regularly extended by your Foreigner's Registration Office.
Financial proof for Residence Permit application
If you apply for a residence permit for study purposes, you have to submit a financial proof to the German authorities. This financial proof ensures that you are able to cover all living costs during your stay in Germany. The amount of money you have to prove is based on rates that also apply to German students (BAföG). At the moment it amounts to 992 Euro per month, that means 11,904 Euro for a stay of one year in Germany.
Proof of funding of 992 euros per month or 11,904 euros for one year must be provided each time the residence permit is extended!
The financial proof can be proved by the following documents:
declaration of commitment - "Verpflichtungserklärung" (What is a "declaration of commitment"? - further information of the City of Cologne, in German language)
scholarship grant
bank statements
Not every Foreigner's Registration office in Germany accepts every proof of financing!
We therefore strongly recommend opening a blocked account, as this proof of financing is certainly accepted by all authorities.
To avoid problems with proof of funding during your studies in Cologne, it is therefore advisable to keep the entire sum in the blocked account throughout your studies and to finance the expenses incurred during your studies - if possible - through different means (e.g. through part-time job, support from parents, etc.).
Health Insurance
A proof of health insurance coverage from a German statutory health insurer or an exemption certificate ("Befreiungsbescheinigung") from a German statutory health insurer (in the event that you are insured in your home country or have a private (German) health insurance policy) is a requirement for being enrolled at the University of Cologne.
Students can open an account free-of-charge at any bank in Cologne. Because each bank is different, students are advised to shop around for the best terms.
A bank account is not only useful to have. It is necessary if you want to
pay rent (in Germany it is usual to pay rent by transferring the money)
process direct debit authorisations
pay semester fees
pay insurance premiums
make and receive international money transfers
To open a bank account, you need the following documents:
passport/personal I.D.
residence registration
current proof of enrolment
tax identification number ("Steueridentifikationsnummer/Steuer-ID")
Contact:
Consultation hours (personal/digital): Tuesday, 10 am - 12.30 pm Please register here
