Entry and residence for the purpose of attending school
You are very welcome to attend a school in Germany. As a student, you are also bound by the entry regulations applicable to your country of origin.
You can find out more about your personal entry and residence requirements by entering your country of origin in the configurator.
Entry and residence for EU citizens
If your country of origin is within the EU or EEA, you can come to Germany without restrictions under the right of free movement.
Your stay is not tied to a residence permit, regular school attendance is possible or even compulsory if you have your habitual residence in Germany.
If you are Swiss or a family member of a Swiss national, you will receive the right of residence in Switzerland and may also attend school in Germany.
Entry and residence for citizens from third countries
If you come from a country outside the EU or EEA, you must in most cases apply for a visa at German embassies or consulates in your country of origin.
Only those who have another independent right of residence in Germany or who have come to Germany as part of family reunification or immigration are subject to the German school system and must comply with compulsory schooling.
For this reason, unlike those already resident in Germany who are required to attend school, you can only attend school for a limited period of time. This can only take place as part of a student exchange or an intensive language course.
There are exceptions in individual cases, e.g. for a boarding school visit. Please contact the foreigners authority responsible for the desired place of residence with such requests.
Student exchange
Registration for a guest stay takes place directly at the desired school. The school management decides on admission. There are a number of exchange programs that provide support and sometimes also award scholarships.
Visas for guest school stays are generally only granted to students from year 9 onwards.
Requirements
A prerequisite for your visa is confirmation that the exchange has been arranged with a German school or a student exchange organization recognized in Germany and that your livelihood is secured during your stay.
You will usually also need a letter of invitation from the host family or boarding school confirming that board and lodging will be provided for you.
You must have adequate health insurance. This will be taken out either by the organizers of the exchange program or by your parents.
Longer-term stay
If the stay is not planned as an exchange, confirmation is required from the German school that it is a state or state-recognized school with an international orientation or a school that is not predominantly financed by public funds and prepares students for international qualifications, qualifications from other countries or state-recognized qualifications.
In the case of boarding schools in particular, a mix of students of different nationalities must be ensured. If you are entering the country on a visa, you must be able to confirm at the time of application that you have the financial means for the first year of boarding school and provide credible evidence that there are good financing options for any subsequent years.
Intensive language course
The second option for obtaining a visa is to attend an intensive language course that does not prepare you for your studies if you are planning a short-term stay to learn German.
The prerequisite is that you have lessons every day and that the language course lasts at least 18 hours per week. You must be able to prove that you will be able to support yourself during your expected stay.
The end of your intensive language course has an impact on the regulations governing your stay. Please find out about your prospects before you enter the country.
Lebenshaltungskosten
Unter Lebenshaltungskosten werden alle nötigen Geldausgaben zusammengefasst, die ein Haushalt durchschnittlich im Monat tätigen muss. Dazu zählen Aufwendungen für Wohnen, Gesundheit, Lebensmittel, Mobilität und Freizeit. Weitere Bereiche sind z. B. Beklei
Gesundheitssystem in Deutschland
Um medizinische Hilfe in Deutschland zu erhalten, benötigen Sie eine Krankenversicherung. Der größte Teil der deutschen Bevölkerung ist in der Gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung versichert. Dafür zahlen die Versicherten einen monatlichen Beitrag. Für Arbei
Beratungsangebote
Es ist unschätzbar wertvoll, Hilfe zu bekommen, wenn man nicht mehr weiter weiß. Deshalb gibt es in Deutschland viele Beratungsstellen, die Hilfesuchenden in den unterschiedlichsten Lebenssituationen mit Fachwissen zur Seite stehen.