Before you start 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.
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 may find further information whether you need a visa for entering Germany. After having sucessfully applied at the University of Cologne and being accepted, you receive an official admission letter of the University of Cologne. Please use the admission letter for the visa application at the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Please apply for a national visa for study purposes (not for a tourist visa!).
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. See details here: European Union - ETIAS: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en
All international students from non-EU countries who stay in Germany for more than 90 days must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Registration Office.
If you apply for a visa (or for a residence permit at a later point), you have to submit a financial proof to the German Embassy/Consulate/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. At the moment it amounts to 992 Euro per month, that means 11'904 Euro per year.
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, if necessary
Please note: Not every Embassy/Consulate/Authority 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/Authorities. You must provide a proof of the sum of 11'904 Euro each time you renew your residence permit for one year. 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.).
Registration of residence in Germany
All students must register their place of residence at the (District) Registration Office within two weeks of moving in - this is mandatory for all citizens living in Germany. Those who live outside of Cologne need to report to the Registration Office responsible for their area.
Students living in Cologne may go to the Registration Office in the ”Innenstadt”, no matter what place of residence. Otherwise, we recommend that you visit the Registration Office of the district you live in. Students living in Hürth – Efferen register at the Registration Office in Hürth.
You need the following documents for residence registration:
passport/personal I.D.
registration form - available at the (District) Registration Office or online (Cologne) or online (Hürth)
"Wohnungsgeberbestätigung" - confirmation of your landlord, form available at the (District) Registration Office or online (Cologne) or online (Hürth)
for students living in a students dormitory of the Kölner Studierendenwerk: rental contract
Note: Please keep you registration certificate (“Anmeldebescheinigung”) safe for your documents. You may need it for opening a bank account or for applying for your residence permit!
Residence Permit
EU/EEA citizens: International students from EU/EEA countries do not have to apply for a residence permit during their studies in Germany.
Non-EU/EEA citizens: International students from Non-EU/EEA countries have to apply for a residence permit within 90 days after their entry into Germany - whether or not they entered Germany with a visa.
For those who live in Cologne: Please apply online 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". Important: 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!
Those students who live in Hürth: Please make an online appointment on the website of the Foreigners Registration Office of Rhein-Erft in Bergheim, both for the initial application and the extension of your residence permit.
Necessary documents for the residence permit application are the following:
completed application form
proof of residence registration and/or copy of rental contract
passport (with visa, if required) and copies of all printed pages
1 biometric passport photo
current proof of enrollment
proof of financial self-sufficiency (blocked account, declaration of commitment / "Verpflichtungserklärung", scholarship grant, bank statements, if necessary
proof of health insurance coverage (from a German statutory health insurer or an exemption certificate/"Befreiungsbescheinigung" from a German statutory health insurer, private health insurance)
In some cases other documents may be necessary - in this case you will be informed at your appointment. The residence permit is usually issued electronically by chip card. Applicants have to pay a processing fee.
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Information on financial proof:
If you apply for a residence permit, 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. At the moment it amounts to 992 € per month, that means 11'904 € per year.
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, if necessary
Please note: Not every Foreigner´s Registration Office accepts every proof of financing!
We therefore strongly recommend opening a blocked account, as this proof of financing is certainly accepted by all Authorities. You must provide a proof of the sum of 11'904 € each time you renew your residence permit for one year. 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.).
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")
Tax Identification Number ("Steueridentifikationsnummer"/"Steuer-ID")
Every resident in Germany is issued a unique tax ID number („Steueridentifikationsnummer“) for a life time once registered as a resident in Germany for the first time. Once you have successfully registered your residency in the City Hall („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 City Hall.
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 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)“).
Kontakt
Contact:
Consultation hours (personal/digital): Tuesday, 10 am - 12.30 pm Please register here
