Study and research in Germany

Our legal guide tells you what rights you have in your studies and what rules and regulations you have to observe.

You didn't manage to register for your exam?
If something goes wrong when registering for an exam (for example, by some mistake your name is not on the registration list or your are requested to produce credits that you've already submitted), then file a complaint as quickly as possible. If you can't do this in time, take the exam provisionally. You can then resolve the issue after the exam. To ensure that you don't make any formal mistakes, do ask the legal advice service and your departmental student adviser in advance.

Feeling too ill to sit the exam?
You can't take the examination for reasons of illness? Then go immediately to a doctor to get a sick note. Make sure that the sick note specifies that you are unable to take the exam. You must present the sick note immediately to the Examinations Office. If you fail to do this and simply don't appear for the examination, you will fail it.

Is the exam subject to any irregularities or formal defects? 
It's important that you're well acquainted with the content of the examination regulations. For example, these specify how long written and oral exams are allowed to take. If the examiners don't keep to these guidelines, you can file a complaint with the Examinations Committee due to formal defects. If you need to do this, please proceed as follows. First, go to the departmental student society (Fachschaft) to contact the student members of the Examinations Board. They can help you write your complaint. This ensures that your complaint isn't subject to any formal defects itself.

Disagree with the examination results?
Use the option of inspecting your written exams. Sometimes, examiners may have overseen some pages or may have made a mistake when adding up the points. You can appeal if you disagree with the assessment of the content of your paper. First of all, the examiner will review the case. If you still disagree with the reassessment, you must file an appeal with the Examinations Board.

Academic credits not recognised?
You can apply to the relevant Examinations Board and ask the members to discuss the case and find a solution. Please make sure that you first contact the departmental student society and the legal advice service to find out what your options are.

Is your insurance cover sufficient?
Health insurance: To be able to register (matriculate) and extend your residence permit, you must have Health Insurance . Many Student Services offer Service Sets for Foreign Students  which include sufficient health insurance cover. Social Insurance Agreements (Sozialversicherungsabkommen) have been signed with some countries (including the member countries of the EU – European Union and the EEA – European Economic Area). Under certain circumstances, this means that you can continue to be covered by the health insurance from your home country. Please make sure that you resolve such questions before you leave for Germany.
Accident insurance: Statutory accident insurance covers all students against accidents at the university or on the way to or from university. Please note the following in the case of internships or work placements: you must check in advance with the Internship Office whether you are covered by accident insurance during this internship. If you are doing an internship, it may be advisable to take out personal liability insurance. This insures you against any damage that you may do to others (third parties).  

Take a health test?
When entering Germany on a visa: The German missions abroad (embassies, consulates) will tell you whether you have to have a health test in your home country. The German Foreigners Act does not specify that you must take the health test with a German doctor.

Planning to move?
Foreign students - just like German students - must register their place of residence with the Registration Authority. This applies for each and every change of address! Generally, you are allowed one week to register. Please take the following along when registering: passport and new rent agreement. If you fail to register or advise your change of address, you will break the law and will have to pay a fine.

Residence settled? 
If you are not a national of an EU country, then please make sure that you extend your residence permit on time! Make an appointment with the Foreigners Authority in your place of residence in good time. There are often long waiting times. You generally have to present the following documents: valid passport, matriculation certificate, health insurance policy, proof that you have sufficient financial resources at your disposal, certificate from the university on how you are progressing in your studies.

Enough financial resources?
To obtain a visa and a residence permit, you must be able to prove that you are able to finance your studies. You must at least be able to fully finance the first academic year. The German authorities currently expect you to have at least 667.- euros per month (equals about 8,000.- euros for the first academic year) available. However, higher sums may be required, depending on the federal state or the university in question. Please inquire at the German Embassy in your country, how you must submit this proof. In principle, the following forms of proof are possible:

• Parents present proof of corresponding income or assets.
• Somebody who is resident in Germany provides the Foreigners Authority with a guarantee promising to cover the costs for you.
• A sum is deposited in a frozen account as a surety.
• You present a bank guarantee (Bankbürgschaft).
• You receive a scholarship from a recognised scholarship awarding organisation.

Earning money?
Non-EU nationals and stateless persons:
Students: They may spend 90 full or 180 half days working in paid employment per year. Anybody wanting to work longer must obtain approval from the Employment Agency and from the Foreigners Authority.
Exception: Work as a student or research assistant may exceed the 90-day limit. But, whatever the case, the Foreigners Authority must be advised of this.

You are not allowed to work as an independent professional or to take up freelance work.
Students taking part in language courses or preparatory courses: You may only take up paid work with the permission of the Foreigners Authority and the Employment Agency – and you are only allowed to work in the non-lecture period (vacation or recess).

Students, participants of language courses and preparatory courses from EU and EEA countries: These students have practically free access to the German labour market.

An internship along with a job and your studies?
Non-EU nationals and stateless persons: If you complete an internship or work placement, this counts as normal work. This also applies to non-paid internships. Each day you spend working in the internship is deducted from your 90-day allowance. If you have already used up your 90 days per year, you must obtain the approval of the Foreigners Authority and the Employment Agency before you begin a internship or work placement.
Exception: Required internships that are an integral part of the degree programme (curriculum).