Frequently Asked Questions
Enrollment
All exchange students have to get enrolled at the University of Bamberg.
It is necessary that this process has to be started early, even if you are still in your home country.
More information and deadlines for the enrollment will be sent to you via email from the International Office (international@uni-bamberg.de).
Health Insurance
Health insurance is mandatory for all students in Germany, including exchange students.
?? Students from the EU/EEA, UK, or Switzerland:
Bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or, if from the United Kingdom, a GHIC.
This insurance card must be valid for the complete duration of your stay.
Send a copy to any German statutory health insurance provider — they will notify the University of Bamberg directly.
? Students from Bosnia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, or Tunisia:
Request a valid insurance certificate (more info see here) from your home insurer before departure.
Send it to a German statutory insurer — they will inform the university.
? Students from all other countries (non-EU/EEA/UK):
You must choose one of the following:
1.?Statutory German Health Insurance
?- ~�140/month
?- Required for enrolment; starts 1 Oct (winter) or 1 Apr (summer)
?- Covers most medical costs directly
?- Strongly recommended
2.?Private German Health Insurance
?- Often cheaper
?- You pay medical costs up front and request reimbursement
?- Switching back to public insurance is not possible during your studies
3.?Private Insurance from Your Home Country
?- Must include hospital, emergency, outpatient care, therapies, etc. (more info see here)
?- Must be in English or German
?- Must be approved by a German statutory provider
Tip: Many foreign insurances don’t meet German standards. We recommend choosing German statutory insurance if possible.
Contact a German statutory health insurance provider in Bamberg (You only need to contact one provider):
Visa or Residence Permit
?? PLEASE NOTE: International office can neither help you with compiling an visa/residence permit application, nor influence or expedite the process of receiving a visa/residence permit!
→ Who Needs a Visa?
Most international students from non-EU/EEA countries (see full list here) are required to have a valid visa for the whole duration of studies when entering Germany.
Application Process
Where: Apply at the nearest German embassy or consulate in your home country.
When: At least 3 months before your intended arrival.
Processing Time: Approximately 8–12 weeks; may vary.
The exact process and requirements depend on your nationality, so it is important to check the specific rules that apply to you!
Further information → see the webpage
The rules that apply to Ukrainian nationals are constantly changing. Therefore, please ask for the current rules at the corresponding Immigration Office (Ausl?nderbeh?rde), i.e. the Immigration Office at the place of residence during your studies, for example Bamberg (contact: abh(at)stadt.bamberg.de).
→ Who Needs a Residence Permit?
Students who are not from from EU/EEA countries and can enter Germany visa-free for 90 days (see full list here) have to register at the Immigration Office (Ausl?nderbeh?rde) in order to obtain a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) for the duration of their studies.
Further information → see the webpage
If you are unsure in this question - please refer to the International Office! (international@uni-bamberg.de).
Application for Accommodation
The University of Bamberg does not own or operate any student residence halls. However, the International Office can help arrange a room in a student hall of residence for exchange students. To apply, submit the “Wohnen in Bamberg” form (page 4 of the application form for enrollment as an exchange student) before 15th May 2025.
? Please note:
You will receive one non-negotiable room offer (no choice of building or type of room).
Rooms are limited and assigned first come, first served.
Housing details (address, rent, start date) will be sent in July 2025.
All questions about contracts, keys, deposits, and payments must be directed to your hall of residence - not the International Office.
Rental periods are fixed:
?Winter semester: usually 1 Sept – 28 Feb?|?Summer semester: usually 1 Mar – 31 Aug
?Rent is due for the full period, even if you arrive later.
?? If you don’t use this service, you will need to find private accommodation yourself. Further information on arranging the accommodation privately see here.
Tandem Partners
You can apply for a tandem partner by submitting “The Bamberg Tandem Project” form (page 3 of the application form for enrollment as an exchange student) before 15th May 2025.
As soon as allocation of tandem partners will be finalized (July-August 2025), you will receive an email from International Office (tandem.international@uni-bamberg.de) with the contact details of your Bamberg tandem partner.
Your tandem partners can help you with:
- General questions about studying in Germany
- Integration at the University of Bamberg
- Engaging in leisure activities together
Please note that they cannot provide specific administrative assistance! Especially not with visa-related matters or specific academic or administrative inquiries!
By applying, you consent to sharing your contact details (email address) with your tandem partner, enabling them to reach out to you for a smooth start in Bamberg. ?
If you are no longer interested, please inform the International Office (tandem.international@uni-bamberg.de) and your assigned tandem partner accordingly!
Registration at the Citizen Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt)
The registration at the Citizen Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) is mandatory for all residents in Bamberg!
It has to be done immediately after arrival. You can register online for an appointment here.
Please keep in mind that it is almost impossible to find an appointment on short notice if you do not register for one at least a month before!
You can inform the International Office (international@uni-bamberg.de) about your arrival date, so we can book the appointment for you if you have trouble with the online booking.
After a successful booking of an appointment, you will receive an email confirmation with the date and time of the appointment. Please be on time!
Further information → see webpage
German Bank Account (SEPA)
If you are from the SEPA area, you do not need to open a German bank account.
If you are from outside the EU and SEPA area, you DO need to open a German bank account!
SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area):
SEPA = unified euro payments area across many European countries
The goal is to make cross-border euro payments within the SEPA region as easy, fast, and secure as domestic payments within one country.
Makes sending and receiving euro payments simpler and faster
Covers EU, EEA, and some non-EU countries
You need an IBAN, and sometimes a BIC, to send a SEPA payment
To open a bank account you need the following documents for your appointment at a local bank:
identity card or passport
valid visa or residence permit for your duration of studies in Bamberg
letter of admission from the University of Bamberg
confirmation of your address in Bamberg
German Tax Identification number
NB! You will get your German Tax ID by post about 4 weeks after registering your address in Germany → see “Registration at the Citizen Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt)” point above
Further information on opening up a German bank account you can find here.
Student ID
Your student ID card can be picked up only at the Student Registrar's Office (Studierendenkanzlei - Kapuzinerstr. 25), glass building in the inner courtyard.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 12 pm
The card proves your status as student.
It must be validated in the validating machines - validation terminals can be found at the following locations:
- In the lobby of Branch Library 3 (Feldkirchenstra?e)
- In the lobby of Branch Library 4 (in the city, Heumarkt)
- On the ERBA isle (entrance hall, An der Weberei 5, ERBA, next to the elevator)
You can load money on it and use it for the canteen (Mensa), libraries, and landromats of your dormitory (only Studierendenwerk dormitories!).
Your student ID card is also your bus ticket for the semester in Bamberg. Further information → see webpage
If you lose your student ID, please contact the Academic Registrar's Office (Studierendenkanzlei) studierendenkanzlei(at)uni-bamberg.de!
Timetable for the Semester - DIY
The timetables at German universities are not drawn up in advance. You have to create them by yourself (DIY)!
You can use UnivIS. Currently only a German instruction on how to use the course catalogue is available here but you will get a better explanation during the mandatory introductory event to University Online Sevices (UnivIS, FlexNow, the virtual campus VC etc.) of the University of Bamberg (time and place: tba)
You can take courses from the UnivIS catalogue, and you can also take courses from vhb.
For more information on course selection, the list of English courses offered in previous semesters, and Learning Agreement see this webpage.
? PLEASE NOTE: The course catalogue for winter semester 2025/26 will be updated only a month before the beginning of the semester - in September 2025!
The International Office CANNOT guarantee the availability of courses that were offered during previous semesters!