After the German student visa: the short version
Between visa and flight you have four jobs: secure a room, arrange the health insurance your university will accept, make sure you can reach your money in Germany, and pack within customs rules. After landing, enrolment, address registration, a bank account and your residence permit follow in quick succession.
Key takeaways
- Housing first. Studierendenwerk hall places "run out very quickly"; apply well before the semester.[1] Never pay for a flat you haven't seen.[2]
- Insurance: health insurance is compulsory in Germany, and there's no enrolment without proof.[3] RWTH, for example, needs electronic proof from a German public insurer.[4]
- Money: carry up to USD 3,000 in foreign currency notes, and the rest on a forex card or similar.[5] Your blocked-account payouts start once you've set up a German current account.[6]
- Customs: meat and milk products from India are banned in principle; up to three months' supply of medicines; declare €10,000 or more in cash.[7][8][9]
- After landing: register your address within two weeks of finding accommodation and enrol (usually in person) with proof of insurance.[10]
Your pre-departure countdown checklist
Every task, with your deadline
Enter your flight date and each task gets a latest date. Tick tasks off as you go and print the list. These timings are our planning advice; official rules are cited in the sections below.
0 of 14 done
Finding a room before you fly
- Student halls are the cheapest, and the most wanted. Studierendenwerk halls had 196,749 places (1 January 2025), at an average gross rent of €318.18 a month including all running costs (31 December 2024).[11] Over 40% of foreign students live in a hall.[12]
- Apply early. Places "run out very quickly", so contact your city's Studierendenwerk well before the semester starts.[1] Waiting lists can be long: in 2022, more than 35,000 students were waiting at eleven Studierendenwerke, 15,000 of them in Munich.[13]
- Private rooms (shared flats, private halls) cost more, especially in Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg. City-by-city rents are in our cost of studying guide.
The German police describe the same trick every time: the new tenant is asked to transfer the deposit or first rent in advance, often by a "landlord" who claims to be abroad.[14][15] The consumer advice centre's rule: never pay for a flat you haven't seen, and be wary of offers to post you the keys or to pay through Airbnb, eBay or booking.com.[2]
Health insurance: what your university will accept
- Compulsory, and needed for enrolment. BARMER: "In Deutschland gilt eine Krankenversicherungspflicht", students must be insured by enrolment at the latest, and "ohne Nachweis keine Einschreibung" (no proof, no enrolment).[3]
- Statutory student rate: at TK in 2026, €141.16 a month up to age 23 and €146.29 from 23 (students without children); each insurer's rate differs slightly.[16] Student insurance usually runs until the end of the semester in which you turn 30.[3]
- Travel insurance usually isn't enough for enrolment. RWTH needs electronic proof from a German public insurer.[4]
- From day one: Make it in Germany's student checklist says you need valid health insurance from the first day of your arrival.[17] The visa itself needs cover from your intended arrival date (see our German student visa guide).
- Private instead of statutory? You can apply for exemption within three months of the start of compulsory insurance, and it then applies for your whole course.[3] Think carefully: it's a long-term decision.
Money: forex, cards and your blocked account
- From India: under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme you can remit up to USD 250,000 per financial year, and study abroad is a permitted purpose.[18] Travellers can buy foreign currency notes only up to USD 3,000 per visit; carry the rest as a store-value card, traveller's cheques or a banker's draft.[5]
- Into Germany: cash of €10,000 or more (including traveller's cheques) must be declared in writing to customs when you arrive from outside the EU.[9]
- Blocked account payouts: with Fintiba, you unlock payouts by opening a German current account and uploading your visa and German address; the first payout arrives one or two business days after you set it up, calculated from your visa start date.[6][19] Other providers work similarly; check yours.
- Bring some euros in cash for your first days, as Make it in Germany suggests.[17] See blocked account payouts and monthly costs in our cost guide.
What you can bring into Germany: customs rules for students
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Things for your studies and household | If you're enrolled full-time and not resident in the EU, objects and instruments students normally use (such as a laptop or printer), household linen and clothing can come in duty-free for personal use, but must be declared[20] |
| Other goods (gifts, new items) | Duty-free up to €430 in value for air travellers[21] |
| Medicines | For personal use, up to three months' supply of the recommended dose of each product. Narcotic medicines need a multilingual doctor's certificate authenticated by a health authority in India.[8] |
| Meat, milk and products made from them | Prohibited in principle from non-EU countries, so no ghee, paneer, milk sweets or meat pickles. Exceptions include powdered infant milk and medically needed food (max. 2 kg) and honey (max. 2 kg).[7] |
| Alcohol and tobacco | 1 litre of spirits over 22% (or 2 litres up to 22%), 4 litres of wine, 16 litres of beer; 200 cigarettes (age 17+)[21] |
| Cash | €10,000 or more must be declared in writing[9] |
Documents to carry in your hand luggage
- Passport with your visa. DAAD's checklist asks for a passport with long validity; for enrolment you may need passport photos and your original academic qualifications (not copies).[22]
- Admission letter, plus every original your university will check at enrolment. RWTH says "you must bring all required original documents with you" and may verify them on arrival.[4]
- Health insurance documents, blocked-account confirmation and housing contract.
- Vaccination certificate if required, and prescriptions for your medicines.[22]
Your first weeks in Germany: in this order
- SIM cardProviders must check your identity before activating a prepaid SIM, for example with your passport.[23]
- Enrol at the universityUsually in person, with proof of insurance.[10] At RWTH, the Welcome Week is compulsory.[4]
- Register your addressWithin two weeks of moving in.[10] Our guide to city registration (Anmeldung) covers documents and appointments.
- Open a bank account"As soon as possible", and set up your blocked-account payouts.[10]
- Tax IDIt arrives by post after you register; put your surname on your mailbox, and if nothing arrives after three months, ask the Federal Central Tax Office.[24] You'll need it for a student job.
- Residence permitRWTH advises applying at least six weeks before your visa expires, and warns there may be waiting times from late August to early November.[25] See our guide to the residence permit and visa extension.
- TransportMany universities offer a Deutschlandsemesterticket (60% of the regular price) through the semester fee; otherwise the Deutschlandticket costs €63 a month in 2026.[26]
10 mistakes Indian students make between visa and arrival
- Paying a deposit for a flat they've never seen.
- Waiting for a hall place without a backup for the first weeks.
- Relying on travel insurance for enrolment.
- Carrying all their money in cash instead of a card.
- Packing ghee, sweets or pickles with meat that customs will confiscate.
- A year's supply of medicines without prescriptions.
- Leaving original certificates at home.
- Arriving after the welcome week or the enrolment deadline.
- Missing the address registration, which delays the bank account, tax ID and residence permit.
- Booking the residence permit appointment late, when visa expiry is close.
How Yastudy helps you land well
Our counsellors prepare every student for departure, and our team in Freising, Germany, supports students after they land.
- A pre-departure webinar is part of every Germany master's plan; Advantage adds accommodation search guidance, and Premium adds arrival support for address registration, your bank account, insurance and the residence-permit appointment.
- Arrive with everyday German: our German A1 course.
- Funding questions before you fly: our education loan support.
Let Yastudy do this with you: Germany master’s plans
This step is part of every Yastudy plan for public universities in Germany. Pay online and your counsellor calls you within one working day with a dated plan for APS, the dMAT, tests, applications and the visa.
Essential
For self-starters who want an expert to check every step
- Profile evaluation and grade conversion
- Shortlist of 6 programmes (reach, match, safe)
- Up to 4 university applications reviewed
- APS document check (you file, we check)
- dMAT guidance: whether you need it and how to register
- Motivation letter and CV editing (2 rounds each) and LOR guidance
- Visa file check before you submit
Advantage
Done with you: we file alongside you, with German included
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- Up to 10 university applications
- Full APS filing support
- dMAT registration help and a prep plan with practice sets
- Live German A1 course included (worth ₹14,000)
- Consular Services Portal form filled in with you, plus a mock visa interview
Premium
Two intakes, unlimited applications and support after you land
- Everything in Advantage, plus:
- Unlimited applications across 2 intakes
- Live German A1 + A2 + B1 course included (worth ₹29,500)
- 1:1 dMAT coaching
- Scholarship and education-loan application support
- Arrival support: address registration, bank account, insurance and residence-permit appointment
Secure online payment through Razorpay. All prices in ₹ per student; GST as applicable. Plan terms, including what happens if you change your mind: Terms & Conditions. Third-party fees (APS, dMAT, uni-assist, visa) are not included; see full plan details. Applying only to private universities that work with us? Counselling is free: ask about free counselling.
After the German student visa: 14 questions Indian students ask
Before you fly
What should I do after getting my German student visa?
Secure accommodation, arrange health insurance your university accepts, set up access to your money (forex card and blocked account), book your flight before the welcome week, and pack your original documents and medicines within customs rules.
How do I find accommodation in Germany from India?
Apply to your city's Studierendenwerk for a student hall as early as possible, where the average rent is about €318 a month, and search private rooms in parallel. Never pay for a flat you haven't seen.
How do I avoid rental scams in Germany?
Don't transfer a deposit or rent in advance to someone you can't verify, especially a "landlord" who says they're abroad or offers to post the keys. German police and consumer advice centres warn about exactly this.
Is travel insurance enough for university enrolment in Germany?
Usually not. Universities need proof of statutory insurance or an approved exemption; RWTH, for example, needs electronic proof from a German public insurer. The student rate at TK is about €141–146 a month in 2026.
How much cash can I carry from India to Germany?
RBI allows foreign currency notes up to USD 3,000 per visit; carry the rest on a forex card or similar. In Germany, cash of €10,000 or more must be declared to customs.
Can I carry Indian food to Germany?
Meat, milk and products made from them (ghee, paneer, milk sweets) are prohibited in principle from non-EU countries, with small exceptions such as honey up to 2 kg. Check any other food on German customs' website before you pack.
How many medicines can I take to Germany?
Up to three months' supply of each medicine for personal use, with prescriptions. Narcotic medicines need a multilingual doctor's certificate authenticated by a health authority in India.
Which documents should I carry in my hand luggage?
Passport with visa, admission letter, original certificates, health insurance documents, blocked-account confirmation, housing contract, vaccination certificate if needed, and prescriptions.
After you land
What do I do first after arriving in Germany?
Get a SIM card, enrol at the university with your insurance proof, register your address within two weeks of finding accommodation, open a bank account, then book your residence permit appointment.
When can I access my blocked account money?
After you open a German current account and complete your provider's steps. With Fintiba, the first payout arrives one or two business days after you set up payouts, calculated from your visa start date.
When do I get my German tax ID?
By post after you register your address. If nothing arrives after three months, contact the Federal Central Tax Office.
When should I apply for my residence permit?
Well before your visa expires; RWTH advises at least six weeks before, and warns there may be waiting times from late August to early November.
How much is the Deutschlandticket?
€63 a month in 2026. Many universities offer a Deutschlandsemesterticket at 60% of the regular price through the semester fee.
Does Yastudy help after I reach Germany?
Yes. Premium plans include arrival support from our team in Freising: address registration, bank account, insurance and your residence-permit appointment. Every plan includes a pre-departure webinar.
About this guide
Who wrote it
The Yastudy Germany Desk: our counsellors in Patna, Noida and Bengaluru, and our team in Freising, Germany, who help students in their first weeks.
How we checked the facts
Checked on 11 October 2026 against German customs (Zoll), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the Reserve Bank of India, Deutsches Studierendenwerk, German police and consumer advice, health insurers, the Federal Network Agency, the Federal Central Tax Office, DAAD, Make it in Germany and RWTH. Countdown timings are our planning advice.
When we update it
Each spring before the winter intake, and when customs, insurance or ticket prices change.
Our standards
- We separate legal rules from our advice.
- We name the source behind every rule.
- Spotted something out of date? Email admission@yastudy.com.
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Sources
All checked on 11 October 2026. Where a source has a publication date, it's shown.
- Deutsches Studierendenwerk: Student halls of residence: applying (2023)
- Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centre): Fake flats online: how to spot false property ads (7 Aug 2026)
- BARMER: Health insurance for students (Sep 2026)
- RWTH Aachen University: Enrollment for international master’s students (Sep 2026)
- Reserve Bank of India: FAQ: foreign exchange for travellers (USD 3,000 in notes per visit) (Nov 2025)
- Fintiba (help centre): When and how much money do I receive in my first payout? (May 2024)
- Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH): Importing products of animal origin (Feb 2014)
- German Customs (Zoll): Medicinal products and narcotics
- German Customs (Zoll): Cash: entering Germany from a non-EU country
- Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal): Arrival: address registration and the foreigners authority (Sep 2026)
- Deutsches Studierendenwerk: Wohnraumstatistik 2025: places (1 Jan 2025) and average rent (31 Dec 2024) in student halls (Nov 2025)
- Deutsches Studierendenwerk: Student halls of residence (2023)
- Deutsches Studierendenwerk: More than 35,000 students on waiting lists at eleven Studierendenwerke (6 Oct 2022)
- Police crime prevention (polizei-beratung.de): Beware of fraud when looking for a flat online (8 Oct 2026)
- Police crime prevention (polizei-beratung.de): Advance-payment fraud
- Techniker Krankenkasse (TK): Contribution for students 2026 (Dec 2025)
- Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal): Checklist for students (Jun 2020)
- Reserve Bank of India: Liberalised Remittance Scheme: USD 250,000 per financial year (updated 6 Apr 2023)
- Fintiba (help centre): How do I get access to my money when I’m in Germany?
- German Customs (Zoll): School and study: bringing your belongings
- German Customs (Zoll): Travellers’ allowances
- DAAD: Arriving in Germany: checklists
- Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur): Identity checks for prepaid SIM cards (guidance) (Dec 2021)
- Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt): FAQ: tax identification number
- RWTH Aachen University: First steps for international students (residence permit timing) (Sep 2026)
- Federal Government (Bundesregierung): Deutschlandticket: €63 a month since January 2026 (May 2026)
