Information for Exchange Students

Due to the rapidly changing situation make sure to inform yourself shortly before entering Germany:

• International risk areas designated by the Federal Foreign Office, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Interior
• Federal Foreign Office: Information on entry restrictions and quarantine regulations in Germany
• List of COVID-19 vaccines that are currently accepted in Germany
• Digital Registration on Entry

Also check out HSB's Corona information for Internationals

The following streamlined process has been created for students of partner universities:

1. Determine who is the contact person for the HSB at your home university.
2. Find out what the exchange conditions are and which study programme you can choose at the HSB.
3. Your exchange coordinator at your home university nominates you for a study abroad semester/year at the HSB.
4. You will receive a link to our online application form.
5. Fill out the form and upload the requested documents.
6. We will check your application and send out your admission letter.

Please use the grade converter to convert your school-leaving grades from abroad to the German grading system. Enter the result in the corresponding field in the online application form. 

Get to know all the current semester dates including lecture periods and breaks.

HSB offers an orientation week where our international exchange students will obtain their student ID, semester ticket and the certificate of enrolment. Find out about the dates and programme.

Depending on where a student comes from, a visa may be required to enter Germany. Your visa should be applied for as early as possible because it often takes a while to be processed. Therefore, directly after getting your admission letter from HSB, the first thing you have to work on is your visa application for Germany.

EU nationals do not require a visa to enter the Federal Republic of Germany.

Non-EU nationals: Generally speaking, all other foreigners require a visa for stays in Germany. Nationals of certain countries for which the European Community has abolished the visa requirement are allowed to enter Germany without a visa.

You apply for a visa at the German embassy in your coutry. Make sure that you apply for the visa that correponds to the actual purpose of your stay. Inquire in plenty of time to the German embassy in your country about which documents you need for your application. Use this world map to get an overview of contacts and offers of German institutions in your country of residence.

It is not that difficult to prepare the visa application yourself. Hiring an agency is expensive and—most of the time—just not necessary. 

When applying for a visa, proof must be provided that you have sufficient funds to study in Germany. Also a proof of sufficient health insurance is mandatory.

When applying for a visa or residence permit and for getting enrolled at the HSB, you always need a proof of sufficient health insurance. 

In order to enrol at the HSB, you need to have adequate health insurance. Since 01.01.2022, health insurance coverage must be proven by an electronic notification of a statutory health insurance company in the "Studentisches Meldeverfahren" (SMV) of the health insurance companies.

Students from the European Union and from countries with social security agreements

European students who are in possession of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are sufficiently insured. The health insurance of students from countries that have a social security agreement with Germany is also valid in Germany.
Besides member states of the European Union, public health insurance plans from the following countries are valid in Germany: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Tunisia and Turkey.

Important notes:

1. Health insurance coverage must be guaranteed throughout your studies at the HSB.
2. If EU or EEA-students take on a part time job or a paid internship in Germany, they must be insured with a German health insurance!

Students from all other countries

Students whose home country is not part of the EU and from countries that do not have a social security agreement with Germany, are strongly advised to get insured with a German health insurance company before coming to Germany. A public health insurance policy costs about 110 € a month and is offered to all students under 30 years.

Are you older than 30?

As a rule, students who have reached the age of 30 can no longer be compulsorily insured in the student health insurance scheme (exceptions may be possible!). If you are 30 years or older we recommend getting insured with a private health insurance provider.

Important

ALL students (EU students as well as non-European students) MUST contact a German health insurance company and announce the planned commencement of studies in Germany, so that the necessary electronic notification is generated in the SMV. The HSB International Office will send you an email with all the information and contacts needed!

Proof of health insurance for the visa application

You can already arrange for German health insurance and receive confirmation that you have it before you actually come to Germany. You can then use this confirmation to apply for your visa at a German representation in your home country.
Ask your German health insurance company when they need to submit the notification in the electronic notification procedure (SMV) to the university.

! Note: Foreign health or travel insurance policies that limit treatment costs, the scope of benefits or the duration cannot be recognised.

For further information, contact the International Office.

The semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) of approximately 325 euros (we will communicate the exact amount after your
admission) is payable by deadline once every semester. Students who will only study online still have to pay the semester contribution. This is not a tuition fee, but a contribution towards our semester ticket and social facilities and benefits. Holders of our student ID are entitled to budget-priced meals in the canteens, for instance.

HSB offers a simple and timesaving online-enrolment.

• Step 1: Apply for enrolment in CampInO
• Step 2: Pay the semester contribution
• Step 3: Upload a proof of sufficient health insurance, a copy of your valid passport, a copy of your visa (if applicable)

The International Office will send you detailed information by email in advance. Please make sure to regularly check the email-account that you have indicated in the online-application.

The International Office of HSB offers you support in finding suitable accommodation in Bremen. 

For this purpose, we have set up the accommodation database Into Rooms offering furnished rooms and is exclusively accessible for our exchange students. All apartments in Into Rooms are checked by the International Office and are offered by trusted landlords. Shared apartments, single flats or rooms in a family home are available. The monthly rent ranges from 280 to 480 euros.

You will automatically receive an email with your personal login data for Into Rooms after the end of our application period in mid / end of July if you are spending the winter semester at HSB and around mid / end February if you are starting your studies here in the summer semester. So just log in, scroll through the listed offers, choose the one you like most and get in touch with the landlord.

We strongly recommend you to make use of our Into Rooms service, because in recent years it happened that students got victims of fake accommodation offers and deposit frauds on external websites. So please do not make any deposit payments before your arrival in Bremen except to landlords in Into Rooms. Another good tip is to contact several landlords in Into Rooms by copy-and-paste, as it might happen that landlords are on vacation or do not respond directly. Therefore, maximise your chances to receive a quick reply. 

Please also make sure you start your search for accommodation as soon as possible, otherwise the best offers are gone and the later you start with your search, the harder it will be to get a good offer that matches all your expectations. 

In case of any problems or questions, please contact the International Office’s accommodation service at intorooms@hs-bremen.de.

As soon as you have moved into your accommodation, you must register with the local Resident Registration Office. If you will be living in Bremen, you have to get registered with the Bürger Service Center (BSC) which will issue your confirmation of registration (Meldebestätigung).

You need these forms:

• Registration form (in German),
• Fill in instructions,
• Landlord confirmation (in German),
• Copy of your ID/passport.

HSB’s International Office will send you all the relevant information shortly after your arrival to Germany.

Visas are entry permits only, and are usually valid for three months. If you are not a citizen of an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, and intend to study longer than 90 days, you have to apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners’ Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde / Migrationsamt) within your first three months in Germany.

You can do this at the BSU (Bremen Service University). Right now, it only works via email due to COVID-19.

Please note: Some local German Missions abroad (embassies or consulates) already issue the entry visa for the whole duration of your study period in Germany. In this case, there is no need to apply for a residence permit. 

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask HSB’s International Office for help.

A German bank account will enable you to manage regular payments, such as rent and insurance, much more easily. Most banks provide free current accounts for students. In order to open a current account in Germany, students require the following documents: 

• Confirmation of city registration, 
• A valid passport,
• Certificate of enrolment

Students with a blocked account are not required to open an additional account in Germany. 

Important: remember that larger payments will be required at the beginning of your stay (first rent payment, room deposit, personal liability insurance, health insurance, etc.). Make sure that you keep an eye on the balance of your newly-opened bank account.

HSB has four campuses, which are all located in the heart of Bremen. If you are looking for directions how to get to the different locations, you will find the relevant information in our room finder (only available in German).

With the semester ticket you become mobile in Bremen and the surrounding region. The semester ticket gives students free use of all buses and trams as well as all regional trains in Bremen and around throughout the whole semester. Here, you can find out where you can go and what you can explore with your ticket.

Geman language programme

During the orientation week, the HSB offers a small and free programme to prepare students for the German language. Part of the programme is a language café and a city rally. Through the intensive exchange in German, you will already learn important language skills and get to know the other exchange students better. All language levels can participate.

Supplementary German course

Following the language programme during the orientation week, a fee-based, study-accompanying German course is offered for two to four hours per week. There are courses for all levels, from basic (A1) to advanced (C1). You will receive 6 ECTS for your participation.

In order to participate in the language programme and German course, you must take an online placement test. The test is used to determine your language level and to assign you to the correct course. During the application process you will receive further information from the HSB International Office.

To make sure you will enjoy your stay in Bremen and love being a HSB student, we offer several support services exclusively for you as incoming students from a foreign country.

Buddy programme

First, there is the so-called Buddy programme. A buddy is a local HSB student and will be your helping hand during your stay here. He or she is available to deal with all kinds of questions and helps you to get essential information easily and to adjust to your new environment. Your DIO will provide you with more information about the Buddy programme.

Adopt-A-Student

Moreover, if you would like to learn about everyday life in Germany and improve your German language skills, you should participate in the Adopt-a-Student programme. Locals from Bremen volunteer to help you get started in Bremen, they are happy to answer upcoming questions and spend some leisure time with you. Furthermore, it is a great opportunity to extend your German language skills. Do not miss the opportunity of an authentic cultural experience in Germany! In order to register contact the International Office.

Discover Bremen

We have set up a number of fun activities for you - a great opportunity to make new friends, discover German culture, the beautiful city of Bremen and its surroundings together with peers from all over the world. Check out all current activities going on in this semester.

Note: Possibly these activities can not take place at the moment due to COVID-19.

LEI - Lokale Erasmus Intitiative

At the beginning of each semester, LEI presents itself during the International Office’s orientation week in various welcome events for international exchange students. In the current semester, numerous activities and events are offered, such as an international dinner, bowling, a city hall, movie theater and much more. Due to COVID-19 the offers of the LEI will be a bit different during this semester. However, the students will organise events for you to get in contact with other students.

Extension of your stay in Bremen—semester contribution In case you have decided to extend your stay in Bremen for another term, you need to transfer the semester contribution for the new term within the re-registration period.

Re-registration for the summer term is possible within the period of 15 January to 15 February.

Re-registration for the winter term is possible within the period of 15 July to 15 August.

Please note:

Only if you have paid the semester contribution within the period prescribed you will be re-enrolled. You can find up-to-date information concerning the semester contribution here. Incoming exchange students pay a reduced amount, which is 50 euros less!
In case you have questions, you can always contact the International Office.

After your registration at HSB, you will receive a HSB account with the relevant information and access data you need in order to use all of HSB’s IT services.

Find out everything about IT-related topics here. The most important topics to get you started are:

• Wi-Fi (eduroam) on campus
• VPN
• AULIS
• QIS-POS
• CampInO
• Zoom access

Learn more here.

Our campuses at Neustadtswall, Werderstraße and Flughafenallee offer a student canteen, the so-called Mensa to ensure your wellbeing. The offer ranges from coffee, tea and sandwiches, chocolates and cold drinks to snacks, lunches and more. 

The lunch menus one and two are subsidised, so this is definitely a favourable option for a daily warm meal for students with a limited income. Just check here what will be on the menu tomorrow. 

A word of advice: get yourself a Mensacard. The benefits are cash-free payment in our canteens and cafeterias, shorter queues at the checkouts, use of snack and drinks machines, printing and copying in the student libraries. You can get your Mensacard at the service point in the Mensa at Neustadtswall or at the checkout areas of the Mensas at Campus Werderstraße or Airport. Just bring your student ID and a 5 euro deposit plus 5 euros for your first charge.

The State and University Library Bremen (SuUB) provides you with literature and specialist information in print and electronic formats. The SuUB is comprised of the Central Library and eight decentral hubs, including the branch for Technology and Social Sciences and the branch for Economics and Nautical Sciences which are located on HSB’s campuses. The libraries also offer a 
quiet place on the campus to study and concentrate.

In order to make use of the library services you need to obtain a Bib-Card. You can get it at the info-desks of
every branch of the SuUB. Please bring along:

• your proof of enrolment
• your passport
• the city registration

Currently the number of workspaces is limited due to Covid-19. Please check availability here.

In order to have access to the e-books and magazines, you need to install a VPN client.

The Central Library of Bremen (Stadtbibliothek) is by local law part of the public services responsible for cultural education. The library fulfils this task according to the fundamental right of every citizen to obtain free access to information. Bremen City Library actively ensures and provides access to the cultural heritage of mankind as well as to a wide range of knowledge and up to date information.

Doing sports frees the mind and clears your head. So why don’t you sign up for university sports (Hochschulsport)? 

The universities of Bremen jointly offer a wide range of sport programmes to their students. Salsa lessons, volleyball, windsurfing, football, badminton, floorball, handball and many more – whatever sports you like, you will find something here. In return for a small contribution, you can register for the courses at the beginning of each semester.

Please mind: courses are highly popular and registration is on a first come, first served basis. 

Check it out, you will find an awesome programme! 

VBN (Verkehrsverbund Bremen / Niedersachsen) is the public transport association of Bremen and its surroundings. The VBN region offers an endless variety of destinations. Why not simply hop on a VBN bus or train with your semester ticket
and start discovering.

If you prefer getting around in Bremen by bike, you can borrow a bike at the campuses Neustadtswall and Werderstraße and use it for free for 30 Minutes.

Your living expenses depend on your lifestyle. The largest share of monthly expenses is incurred by the rent, which usually makes up one third of students’ living expenses.

There are many possibilities to earn money during your studies, but international students need to make sure they comply with the legal regulations stipulating how much they are allowed to work.

If you want to drive a car during your stay in Germany, be prepared to show an international driving licence or your home-country driver’s license. Know that, as a general rule, foreign licences are valid for six months.

Your car will need a low emission zone icon score 4 on the windscreen to enter the city centre.

Illegal downloading of movies or music is a crime in Germany and will have serious legal consequences!

All households must pay the Public Broadcasting Fee (Rundfunkbeitrag), regardless of TV / radio / PC ownership or usage.
Unfortunately, there is no exemption for international students. For students who get accommodation through Into Rooms, this contribution should already be included in the rent. Please check with your landlord / landlady.

There are five waste categories in Germany:

• Lightweight packaging (LWP) made of plastic, aluminum, tinplate or composite materials
• Bottle banks for glass
• Paper and cardboard
• Residual waste
• Biowaste

Find out more about waste separation.

Being new to a foreign country can be quite overwhelming. To help you get started and find some helpful advice on getting accustomed to life in Germany, please check the guides at www.study-in-germany.de!

Do you have a bank account in Germany which you won’t need at home? Cancel it in time before you leave to avoid unexpected contributions, but keep in mind that payments might still be due.

Do not forget to cancel your rental agreement, mobile contract, health insurance and newspaper subscription as well to avoid potential problems.

Please return the mensa card to the information desk in the mensa to regain your 5 euro deposit.

If you have registered for German health insurance upon your arrival, you will have to cancel it, too. In general, they will ask you to send them a letter of cancellation, copies of your confirmation of de-registration and the statement of the registration office about your notice of departure.

Before you leave Germany you must de-register your residence in Bremen (Abmeldung) at the city administration.

For the de-registration you need to fill in the form of de-registration and hand it in at one of the above mentioned service centres.
The form is in German only. Therefore, please use these instructions.

Please send the form and a copy of your ID to the BSC (Civil Service Centre).