First weeks in Erlangen
The paperwork for your first weeks as a non-EU student living in Erlangen, in a sensible order, with a thread for each step.
Find a room and get the landlord's confirmation
How do I find a room in Erlangen or Nuremberg without getting scammed?Apply online to the Studierendenwerk early and keep other options open. Never pay before you have seen the room and signed a contract. When you move in, ask for the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung; you need it for the next step.
Register your address within two weeks
How do I register my address (Anmeldung) in Erlangen or Nuremberg?Erlangen's Bürgerservice is on the ground floor of the Rathaus (Rathausplatz 1). Book an appointment online, bring your passport and the landlord's confirmation. Registration is free.
Sort out health insurance, then enrol
Which health insurance do I need to enrol at FAU: public or private?FAU enrols you only after a German statutory insurer has sent the electronic notice. If you want private insurance, have a statutory insurer check it before you sign.
Activate your blocked account
How much money do I need in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) for a German student visa from Pakistan?Activate the account with your provider so the monthly payouts start. Plan how you will pay the first rent and the deposit until the payouts arrive.
Apply for your residence permit
How do I get or extend my student residence permit in Erlangen or Nuremberg?If you live in the city of Erlangen, apply at the Ausländerbehörde in the Rathaus well before your visa expires (online contact form, email or in person). If you live in the district Erlangen-Höchstadt, the Landratsamt is responsible.
Get the discounted Deutschlandticket
Is there a semester ticket at FAU? How the discounted Deutschlandticket for students worksThere is no semester ticket at FAU. Students in Bavaria can subscribe to a discounted Deutschlandticket in the VGN shop.
Sort out the broadcasting fee
Do students have to pay the Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee)?One payment per flat; dorm rooms off a common corridor pay individually. Check with your flatmates before registering.
Before your first job: know the 140-day rule
How much can non-EU students work in Germany (140 days rule), and what is a Werkstudent job?Keep a log of your working days from day one. University student assistant jobs do not count towards the 140 days.