Guide for international doctoral students

You may contact the Hamburg Welcome Center (HWC) service advisors by telephone or e-mail prior to or upon your arrival in Hamburg if you need any information on the topic “New in Hamburg”. The HWC offers various free services for domestic and international newcomers to Hamburg. After making an appointment by e-mail or by phone, you can get information about living in Hamburg and Hamburg as a study and research location in addition to personal counseling. The HWC can initially issue your residence permit and initially register your residence. The service is free of charge.

Do not forget to ask a service advisor at Hamburg Welcome Center for a free "Welcome-to-Hamburg bag" which you will need to collect from the HWC. In this bag you will find useful flyers and brochures such as a city map, information about public transport, leisure activities, important addresses in Hamburg and much more.

To avoid long online searching, please check out the following sites for information on the City of Hamburg and for a list of event highlights in Hamburg:

Website- City Hamburg
City map of Hamburg
Activities in Hamburg
Culture and Event Highlights

Hamburg Welcome Center Süderstraße 32B, 20097 Hamburg Tel.: +49 40 42839-5555 E-Mail: newcomers@welcome.hamburg.de

If you live in Hamburg or the Hamburg area, you are better off avoiding the roads and taking the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, AKN, rapid transit or regional rail lines. These offer reliable, quick, and direct rail connections within the Hamburg region, all leading into the city center.

HVV

Hamburg Public Transport AssociationGmbH (HVV): If you are enrolled as a PhD candidate at Universität Hamburg you will receive a HVV Semesterticket. The price of the semester ticket is included in your semester fees. With this ticket you can travel the entire HVV area.

Please note: In order to receive your semester certificate and your semester ticket, the university first needs confirmation of your health insurance cover. So make sure that you are covered by health insurance for your stay and that the confirmation is presented to the Doctoral student Office.

Overview line and route network plans

Stadtrad Hamburg / Lüneburg

StadtRAD Hamburg (City Bike Hamburg): There are about 2600 city bikes in Hamburg. You can find them at almost every U- and S-Bahn station, as well as near sights and university buildings. You can register online or via StadtRAD Hamburg-App.

he first year, this entry fee can also be used as credit to rent bikes. The first 30 minutes of each ride are free, each additional minute is charged according to the booked rate.

The different rates can be found here: StadtRAD Hamburg Prices There are also discounts for HVV card and BahnCard holders.

By registering with StadtRAD Hamburg, you get access to the entire Call a Bike (Deutsche Bahn) bike-sharing fleet in Germany.

On-Demand Shuttle

HVV hop

The on-demand transport hvv hop is integrated into the hvv fare system. Valid hvv tickets are recognized by showing them to the driver, an additional surcharge is added per person per trip. For trips with hvv hop within the different service areas, you can conveniently pay the surcharge via the app of hvv hop (powered by ioki). If you don't have an hvv ticket yet, you can also buy a ticket in the app, which then entitles you to use the hvv buses and trains

Rufmobil

Rufmobil (Rufbus & ASM) Lüneburg

The RufMobil is an additional offer to the regular service and offers you mobility on demand. The Rufmobil includes the Rufbus and the ASM (Anruf Sammel-Mobil).

The Rufbus only travels the route of the timetable that is actually needed, depending on demand. Bookings can be made by telephone or online.

Booking by telephone : 04131 880777 or online

The ASM runs according to the timetable and is on the road for you when regular buses and call buses are no longer or not yet running. Bookings can only be made by telephone. Due to the system, there may be waiting times of up to 15 minutes at the pick-up stop.

Booking by telephone: 04131 53344

Tips for daily life: To get started in Germany, this website provides information about doctors and pharmacies, shopping, saving money, telephone, internet, postal service, safety, and transportation. 

Cost of living in Hamburg: This website gives you an overview of the costs of living in Germany. It contains price and product information relating to restaurants, markets, transportation, utilities, sports and leisure, child care, clothing and shoes, rent, buy appartment prices, salaries and financing.

Scholarship program for researchers from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America who want to acquire a master’s degree or a PhD at a German university or do a post-doctoral research project (2-6 months for established university lecturers) at a German university (in German only).

KAAD is working with focus- and partner countries in your region. There are so-called Partner Committees in these countries and applications are channelled via them.

• Bilateral Exchange of Academics
  
  To improve international relations and bilateral research cooperations between German and foreign universities, the DAAD supports exchanges of scientists and academics from partner countries. The basis of these exchanges are cultural exchange programmes and bilateral agreements with foreign partner organisations.

• Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (PRIME)
  
  The fellowships funded by the P.R.I.M.E programme combine a 12-months mobility phase abroad with a 6-months re-integration phase in Germany, to ensure further integration into the German system of science and research.

• GERiT – German Research Institutions
  
  Research directory of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Here, you can structure your search according to subject area/research field. Then select the desired research area from the offered selection as well as the research location (Hamburg).

• The Mercator Fellows for Visiting Professorships at German Universities

A programme of the German Research Foundation (DFG). The Mercator fellowship can be applied for as part of project funding by researchers in Germany. Alternatively, the module can also be applied for on behalf of the project teams by the coordinators of Research Units and Priority Programs.

The European Molecular Biology Orginisation (EMBO) supports internationally mobile postdoctoral researchers of molecular biology for up to two years.

Short Term Scientific Missions under the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) enable research stays of 5 to 90 days (up to 180 days for early-career researchers) at institutions in other COST member countries. They support the exchange of methods and the development of international collaborations. 

The European Research Council promotes projects of researchers of any nationality with 2-7 years of experience since their PhD completion. Applications can be made in any field of research but can only be submitted in response to a Call for Proposals.

Look for information on funding programs for incoming researchers.

The Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) offers various fellowships for postdoctoral researchers in biochemistry: Short-Term Fellowships, Collaborative Developmental Scholarships, Summer Fellowships, and FEBS Excellence Awards. Reserachers can apply for Short-Term Fellowships any time, the others have deadlines.

The travel grants of the Fritz Thyssen Foundation promotes postdoctoral researchers who have completed their PhD 2 to 4 years ago. Fellowships are granted to reserach about molecular causes in the development of illnesses. The fellowship is open for applications any time while the process takes up to 8 weeks.

• Fulbright Specialist Program
  
  Opportunities to collaborate with professional counterparts on curriculum and faculty development, institutional planning and a variety of other activities. Duration: 14 - 42 days.
  
  
• Fulbright Intercountry Lectureship Program
  
  The Intercountry Lectureship Program sponsors guest lecturers at German universities.
  
  

The Leopoldina - National Academy of Sciences awards scholarships to postdoctoral researchers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland up to 7 years after their Phd completion.

This Research Fellowship Programme of the European Commission supports researchers at all stages of their careers, irrespective of nationality. Researchers working across all disciplines, from life-saving healthcare to 'blue-sky' science, are eligible for funding. The MSCA also support industrial doctorates, combining academic research study with work in companies etc.

EU nationals and nationals of those countries for which the European Community (EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) not need a visa to enter Germany. They just need a valid passport to enter Germany. Within three months of their arrival in Germany, they have to register for residence at the registration office in Hamburg.

As a general rule, Non-EU nationals require visas for stays of more than three months or stays leading to gainful employment before entering Germany. Non-EU citizens who want to work as a researcher should not enter Germany on a tourist or Schengen visa. For information on visa requirements and visa fees, responsibility for issuing visas, the application process, and a table of countries whose citizens do/don't need visas, see "Visa Regulations". The decision on a visa application may take several weeks. Applications should therefore be submitted in good time at the German Embassy or German Consulate in your home country prior to departure.

British nationals do not require a visa or residence permit for self-financed or scholarship-financed research, study or language stays that do not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period.

For stays that exceed the above-mentioned periods or are financed by employment, British nationals can apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) from the local immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) after their arrival in Germany without having obtained a visa before travelling to Germany. The application for a residence permit must be submitted within the first 90 days of arrival. Please note that you must register your new place of residence with the registration office (Meldebehörde) within 2 weeks of moving in.
It is important to note that you may only take up employment once you have been granted a residence permit that expressly authorises this employment.

Please contact the Welcome Service for International Researchers of UHH for questions about residence permits.

• Completed application form, downloads are available in several languages at residence title application form.
• Valid passport
• Biometric photograph (no older than 6 months)
• Current certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung) with your address in Germany
• Health insurance certificate (Krankenversicherungsnachweis)
• Rental agreement or confirmation of hotel or student residence hall
• Administrative fee about 50 € - 200 € (subject to changes)
• Contract of employment or employment agreement (3 months‘ pay slip, where applicable)
• Information on workplace and on employment (use official form), download Declaration Forms of Business and Occupation. The official form is in German. An English speaking HWC service advisor will assist you with translation into English.
• CV

If you have family, please also provide

• Your birth certificate and your family members‘ birth certificate(s)
• Marriage certificate

For any questions that you may have regarding your planned trip to Germany with your family you can get in touch with a service advisor at the HWC. You can do this by e-mail: newcomers@welcome.hamburg.de(newcomers"AT"welcome.hamburg.de) or you can make an appointment by telephone before your arrival: +49-40-42839-5500.

For employees

• Employment contract, employment convention or confirmation of current employment relationship
• Salary statement of the last 3 months
• Information on the company and employment (official form)
• Proof of qualification
• Curriculum Vitae

For doctoral researchers

• admission to doctoral research
• Proof of financing: doctoral scholarship, confirmation of scholarship, savings book or proof of income

Please note:

In some cases, additional documentation may be required. Even if all required documents have been submitted, it may not be possible to issue the permit immediately, as other authorities or institutions may be involved in the process. It is necessary to wait for their comments.

Rental contract: To rent a room or an apartment, a binding agreement must be concluded. Before you move in, you will usually be asked for a deposit, retained by the landlord in case of damage. Please note that in addition to the rent, there are so-called running costs for electricity, water, heating, telephone connection, etc.

Hamburg Welcome Center: Once you have a rental agreement or a confirmation from the student residence, you can register at the Hamburg Welcome Center and apply for a residence permit after arrival. Please contact them by e-mail if you need additional documents in individual cases.

Periods of notice apply whether you or the landlord wish to terminate the rental agreement.

Broadcast contribution: Each household must pay for a contribution to the public-service broadcast (ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio). The licence fee is 18.36€ per month (as of April 2025)  and is only paid once per residence, regardless of usage or non-usage.

State subsidies for accommodation: If you have a low income, you may be able to apply for housing benefits ('Wohngeld') in order to receive state subsidies for accommodation (in German only).

Health insurance systems - two different types in Germany:

• statutory or public health insurance: Most people (from Germany and abroad) are obliged to take out statutory insurance. (generally  compulsory if your gross salary is less than 62,550 Euros per year)
• private health insurance which generally offers a wider choice and thus, a higher level of service of medical and dental treatment, but is not automatically advantageous for everyone.

First, find out if you can even choose between public and private insurance.

In Germany, there are statutory as well as private health insurance companies. The contribution rate of 14.6% of the gross monthly salary has applied since 01.01.2015 for statutory health insurance. Health insurance companies may charge additional contributions under certain circumstances. The costs for the health insurance contributions (including possible additional contribution rate of 1.1 % of your eligible gross salary) are equally split between employers and employees (as of January 2019) and will be automatically deducted from your monthly salary.

Yellow Pages Health Insurance Companies: Here you can find a list of the health insurance companies (Krankenkasse) in the telephone directories of the Yellow Pages of Hamburg.

Before choosing a health insurance company, find out exactly what services, therapies, treatments and additional benefits it offers and what benefits and payments you can claim for. Ask for an English brochure and read it very carefully. Services differ from provider to provider. Being a member of a health insurance company does not mean that the company is responsible for all the costs that arise in respect of your medical care. Some costs for medical and dental treatment, for medication, for medical aids, for treatment by therapists or rehabilitation measures may not be fully covered by your health insurance company. Patients often have to pay a personal excess (Patientenbeitrag). Besides, there are forms of treatment that patients have to pay in full. If you are uncertain about additional costs you may have to pay for a medical treatment or dental care, ask your health insurance company for advice in advance.

Required documents for a membership application

• passport/international passport
• residence registration certificate
• proof of financial situation, i.e. statement of income
• bank account details

• Various counseling services offerd by Campus Center, Universität Hamburg.
• Telefonseelsorge: You can also reach out to the German crisis hotline (+49 800 - 1110111 and +49 800 - 1110222).
• Therapy Guide (in German only)

Make sure you obtain a “Krankenversicherungsnachweis”, a confirmation of health insurance from the health insurance provider. You will also receive a “Krankenversicherungskarte” (Health Insurance Card) which you always need to carry with you. If you become ill, you can directly go to a doctor.
Yellow Pages Doctors (in German): Here you can find addresses and telephone numbers of doctors. Enter the type of doctor or specialist (Facharzt) you are looking for in the search field “Stichwort, Name, Telefonnummer” (keyword, name, phone number):

Alphebetical list of a few types of physicians

If you need urgent medical care at the weekend or at night, report to the “Ambulanz” (outpatient department) or “Notaufnahme” (Accident and Emergency) in hospitals or call a doctor. Emergency doctors are listed in local newspapers under the heading of “Ärztlicher Notdienst” (Medical Emergency Service) or “Notdienst” (Emergency Service).

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only. Universität Hamburg does not guarantee the information provided here is accurate or exhaustive, and accepts no liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content of external or referred websites.In no event shall any reference to any third party product or service be construed as a recommendation of that third party’s product or service.

(Doctoral) researchers' spouse and your children may join you. In this case, however, certain requirements have to be met. For more information, please go to the interactive world map with an overview of Germany’s diplomatic missions abroad.

For more information, please go to the information pages of the Federal Governnent: spouses joining citizens of Non-EU.

Spouses accompanying doctoral researchers who want to work during their stay in Germany need a work permit, except nationals from countries of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Your spouse must inform the German consulate or embassy in your country of this prior to departure for Germany and apply for the respective residence permit that indicates "employment permitted". The processing of a work permit application takes several weeks, so it must be applied for in good time.

• Bringing your children (under 18) to Germany
• Day care institutions are rare and eligibility generally depends on the employment status of both parents.
• Child care services by Universität Hamburg: Universität Hamburg offers various child care services such as Daycare Centers by Studierendenwerk Hamburg, the Casper - Campus Playgroups, or the Weekend care at the Kita KinderCampus for flexible care on weekends. The MIN faculty furthermore offers the Zwischenspeicher childcare at the Informatics Campus in Stellingen.
• International Schooling in Hamburg
• Child allowance

Special Courses German as a Foreign Language Summerterm 2025

There are several language courses with different skill levels. Further information can be found on the website of the University Language Center.

• Joint Language Center of Universität Hamburg and the Adult Education Center (Hamburg Volkshochschule)
• Adult Education Center (level from A1–C2)
• Goethe-Institut
• Course information portal Hamburg (further language institutions in Hamburg (in German))
• Career Center Workshops and Seminars at Universität Hamburg

• PIASTA Language Compass
• Career center: Events, advising services, networks and an information pool, guides and supports on your career path

• BBC Languages: For German basics,  sign up for the free online course “German Steps” for beginners.

Once you have completed this course, you should be able to use and understand frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate needs for your stay in Germany. You will receive weekly email tips.

• DW German Course: “Deutsche Welle” also offers free interactive German self-study course for everyone. It covers levels A1–C2. Select the level that suits you best by answering a few assessment questions. Then choose from e-learning at the computer, with short videos, audio courses or podcasts, or with texts and worksheets. Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher / Firefox 1.5 or higher are recommended. You must log in with your own password to be able to use this website.

For any further queries regarding language offers please contact the Advisor for Internationalization and Support for Doctoral and Early Career Researchers .(Janie.Wermter"AT"uni-hamburg.de)