AFTER RECEIVING YOUR ADMISSION

Then work through the remaining steps before departure:

As soon as possible

• Check whether you need a visa
• Start your visa application, if required
• Arrange proof of financing, if required
• Start looking for accommodation
• Arrange your health insurance

Before you travel

• Complete the enrolment tasks communicated by Frankfurt School
• Check your programme and Welcome/Orientation dates
• Confirm your accommodation and move-in arrangements
• Plan your journey to Germany
• Prepare your important documents
• Check that your insurance covers you from the appropriate date

Shortly before departure

• Reconfirm your accommodation/key collection
• Plan your route from the airport or station
• Keep important documents in your hand luggage
• Save important FS and accommodation contacts
• Make secure digital copies of essential documents

Visa applications can take several weeks, sometimes longer, and finding suitable accommodation in Frankfurt can also take time. Starting early gives you more options and reduces the number of things you need to organise immediately before departure.

These include your city registration (Anmeldung) and, where applicable, subsequent residence permit procedures.

You do not need to understand every German administrative process before you travel.

Our Arriving in Germany section will guide you through the next steps once you are here.

Frankfurt School partners with i Live to provide a limited contingent of discounted apartments for first-semester and exchange students. First-semester students receive information on applying after accepting their study contract.

You can also consider:

• Private student residences
• Shared flats (Wohngemeinschaft/WG)
• Private apartments
• Sublets
• Temporary accommodation for your first days or weeks

Explore the iLive website

WG – shared flat
Kaltmiete – basic rent before certain additional costs
Warmmiete – rent including specified additional costs
Nebenkosten – additional/service costs
Kaution – security deposit
möbliert – furnished
Untermiete – sublet

Before signing, check what is included in the advertised rent, the contract duration, the deposit, the notice provisions, and utilities and internet.

Also, confirm that you can complete your Anmeldung at the address and that your landlord/housing provider will give you a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. You will need this document to register your address after moving in.

Be particularly careful if someone:

• pressures you to transfer money immediately
• refuses to provide a proper rental agreement
• claims the property cannot be viewed
• requests payment through unusual channels
• offers accommodation at a price that appears unrealistic for the location.

Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland generally do not require a visa to enter and study in Germany. Different rules apply to students from other countries: some must obtain a visa before travelling, while nationals of certain countries may enter without a visa and apply for the necessary residence title after arrival.

Always check the requirements that apply specifically to you with the German Federal Foreign Office or the German mission responsible for your place of residence.

The documents required depend on your circumstances and the responsible German mission, but may include:

• Valid passport
• Visa application
• Frankfurt School admission documentation
• Proof of financial resources
• Proof of health insurance
• Biometric photograph
• Academic documents
• Further documents requested by the German mission

For a study visa, students generally also need to demonstrate that they can finance their stay. A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is one way to do this; scholarships and a Verpflichtungserklärung may also be accepted depending on the circumstances.

For 2026, the federal Make it in Germany portal currently states €11,904 per year as the minimum blocked-account amount for studying. Because this amount can change, we should link to the official current figure rather than rely solely on a fixed figure on the FS page. 

However, your visa application is your responsibility. You must submit the application yourself to the responsible German embassy, consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence and ensure that all required documents are complete and submitted on time.

Frankfurt School cannot submit the application on your behalf, influence the decision or expedite the processing of your visa.

Tip: Start your visa process as early as possible and contact us promptly if you require specific Frankfurt School documents for your application.

If your visa is delayed and you may not be able to arrive in Germany in time for the start of your programme, contact Frankfurt School as soon as possible. Your Study Advisor or programme team can advise you on the available options and check whether temporary participation in classes, online or in a hybrid format, may be possible for the first few weeks.

Please note that the availability of online or hybrid participation depends on your programme and individual courses and therefore cannot be guaranteed.

Arrange your health-insurance situation before travelling rather than waiting until you arrive.

What you need depends on factors including your country of origin, existing insurance, age and individual circumstances.

However, recognised foreign coverage still needs to be handled correctly for university enrolment. A German statutory health insurance provider can check your insurance status and electronically transmit the required confirmation to the university.

Before choosing insurance, make sure that it:

• fulfils the requirements for university enrolment
• provides appropriate coverage in Germany
• fulfils visa/residence requirements where applicable
• covers you from the date you need insurance.

Be particularly careful before requesting an exemption from statutory student health insurance, as this decision can have longer-term implications during your studies.

Depending on your circumstances, these may include:

• Passport
• Visa, where required
• Frankfurt School admission documentation
• Accommodation confirmation/rental agreement
• Health-insurance documentation
• Proof of financial resources where relevant
• Academic certificates or transcripts requested by FS
• Certified copies or translations where required

Only bring original academic documents where Frankfurt School or the relevant authority requires them.

These include:

Passport · visa · admission documentation · insurance documents · accommodation contract · important academic certificates

Store them securely somewhere you can access, even if your phone or laptop is lost.

It can also be useful to carry paper copies of documents that you may need immediately after arrival.

If you regularly take prescription medication, bring an appropriate supply and relevant medical/prescription documentation. Check German customs rules in advance, where necessary.

For electronics, Germany uses 230V/50Hz electricity and Type F sockets; Type C plugs are also widely compatible.

Most toiletries, household items, stationery, kitchen basics, and everyday groceries can be easily purchased upon arrival, so you do not need to bring everything with you.

• Programme start date
• Welcome/Orientation dates
• Accommodation move-in date
• Visa validity
• Mandatory activities communicated by your programme.

Where possible, give yourself some time to settle in before your academic activities begin.

Do not plan your arrival solely around the first day of lectures.

If you arrive by train, Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof offers extensive connections to destinations across Germany and neighbouring countries.

Before travelling, plan the route from the airport or station to your accommodation and check whether you can collect your keys at your expected arrival time.

Plan your journey with Deutsche Bahn / Frankfurt public transport

Do not assume that your landlord, residence or accommodation provider will be available late at night or during the weekend.

Keep the following easily accessible during your journey:

Accommodation address · landlord/residence contact · route from airport/station · phone and charger · payment method · essential medication