Contact points and contact persons

Passport

You will need a passport or an equivalent identification document

Visa

Before you plan a stay in Germany, please clarify whether you need a visa.
You might need a visa to enter Germany if you wish to teach or do research. You do not need a visa if you are an EU/EEA national or from a countries with which the European Union or Germany have specific bilateral agreements. A list of countries and detailed information can be found on the homepage of the Federal Foreign Office.

1) Entry without a visa (non-EU/EEA citizens)
If your stay is longer than three months, either a certificate of freedom of movement or a residence permit (Switzerland, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, USA) must be obtained from the relevant immigration office in Germany.

Here more information about the Stuttgart Immigration Office.

2) Entry with a visa (non-EU/EEA citizens)

You will use a visa for entering Germany and if is not valid for the whole stay, you will need to replace it by a residence permit at the relevant immigration office. You will also register with the city where you live in. Depending on the duration and purpose of your stay, you will need a Schengen visa (research stay of up to three months), a national visa (stay of more than three months, authorisation to work) or a researcher visa (researchers from non-EU countries).

3) All guests including EU/EEA citizens

Please over the first couple of weeks after arrival visit the City Registration Office (Bürgerbüro) and register for your time in Germany.

Financing

Confirmation of your funding (salary from your home country/proof of scholarship) in German or English.

Copy of certificate

If applicable, a certified copy of your school leaving certificate, university degree certificate, doctoral certificate in German or English.

Passport photos

Several biometric passport photos for the various ID cards that will be issued to you during your stay.
Important: Please note the passport photo requirements of the Federal Foreign Office

Marriage certificate and birth certificate(s), if applicable

If your spouse and/or children are travelling with you, you will need your marriage certificate and birth certificate(s), preferably with a German translation.

Confirmation of health insurance

A confirmation of your health insurance, if the insurance cover also applies to Germany (please remember that you must provide proof of health insurance for yourself and your family from the first day in Germany in order to obtain a residence permit).

Liability insurance / private accident insurance

If you have taken out liability insurance or private accident insurance in your home country, please check whether this also applies to Germany.
Please bring the relevant documents with you.

International vaccination certificate

International vaccination certificate, a declaration of any special or previous illnesses (any recent x-rays) and any medication currently required.

International driving licence

International driving licence

Suitable clothing

Remember to pack the right clothes!
The weather in Stuttgart can vary greatly. There are four seasons, but even in the summer time it often rains and you could have days with cool temperatures.

 

Adapters and transformers

The electrical connections in Germany are designed for 220-240 volts, 50 Hertz alternating current and for Euronorm plugs.
You will therefore need to bring adapters and transformers if your appliances have other technical parameters.

City registration

In Germany, everyone planning to stay here (does not apply to tourists) must register at the City Registration Office within 14 days after entering the country. This also applies to family members travelling with you. You can access the registration form here. 

In addition to the registration form, you will also need your identity card/passport and a housing arrangement confirmation, completed and signed by your landlord. Their signature confirms that you actually live at their property.

Broadcasting licence fee

Registration GEZ

Bank account

Opening a bank account

Residence permit

Application for a residence permit for non-EU citizens

Taking out health insurance

Germany has a comprehensive social insurance system. This is based on the so-called solidarity principle. Social insurance consists of health, long-term care, unemployment and accident insurances. Every employee with an employment contract must pay social security contributions, which are deducted directly from their salary. Scholarship holders are exempt from social security contributions, with the exception of the health insurance. Detailed information on social insurance can be found on the Euraxess website.

In addition to health insurance, we also recommend  obtaining a liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung).

School or kindergarten

You might wish to enrol your children in a school or a kindergarten, if applicable.

Car registration

Should you wish to register your car whilst in Stuttgart, please find more information here.

Language course

Would you like to take some German lessons during your time with us? Please contact the HdM Language Centre for advice and recommendations.

Depending on the duration of your stay, there are various forms of accommodation available during your time in Stuttgart:

At Stuttgart Airport, "Flughafen/Messe" S-Bahn stop:
Mövenpick Hotel Stuttgart Airport

In Stuttgart-Vaihingen, "Vaihingen Bahnhof" S-Bahn stop:
IBIS Styles
Pullman Stuttgart Fontana
Hotel Vienna House Easy Mo. Stuttgart ex.Arcona MO Hotel
B&B Hotel S-Vaihingen

On campus or within walking distance of the campus, "Universität" S-Bahn stop:
Hotel Römerhof
Guest lecturer house of the Stuttgart Student Union

Between Stuttgart Media University and the main railway station, "Stadtmitte" S-Bahn stop:
Novum Hotel Boulevard
Novum Hotel Rega
EmiLu Design Hotel
Hotel Novum Boulevard
Premier Inn Stuttgart City Centre

In Stuttgart city centre, "Hauptbahnhof" S-Bahn stop:
MotelOne Stuttgart-Mitte
Motel One Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof
Hotel Rieker Novum

In Stuttgart city centre, "Stöckach" tram stop
Internationales Studierendenhotel

In Bad Cannstatt, "Bad Cannstatt" S-Bahn stop:
MotelOne Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt
Premier Inn Bad Cannstatt

Various accommodation providers:
AirBnB
Temporary accommodation
WG wanted
HC24 Stuttgart

For student groups:
Jugendherberge Stuttgart-International
Jugendherberge Bad Cannstatt-Neckarpark
Internationales Studierendenhotel