New in Hamburg
A Practical Guide for Postdocs
Dear postdocs,
We have compiled some services and information to help you to get started in Hamburg. We hope you find everything you need to know on this website. If there is anything you think we could improve, we would like to hear your ideas and suggestions.
MIN Faculty and its members wish you a good start, a most interesting research stay at Universität Hamburg and every success in your research.
Alles Gute!
All the best!
1. General Information on the City of Hamburg and main contact point
Main contact point for information on the topic "New in Hamburg"
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 newcomers to Hamburg. Ask a HWC service advisor for a "Welcome-to-Hamburg bag" which needs to be collected from the HWC.
Main contact point for visiting researchers and their families at Universität Hamburg: Service for International Visiting Researchers
To avoid hours of online searching, check out the following sites for information on the City of Hamburg and for a list of event highlights in Hamburg:
City of Hamburg
City map of Hamburg
Attractions
Event highlights
Do not forget to ask a service advisor at Hamburg Welcome Center for a free bag of “Welcome Package for International Visitors“, which you will need to collect from the HWC:
Hamburg Welcome Center |
Getting around in Hamburg
Hamburg Public Transport Association (HVV): If you live in Hamburg or Hamburg area, you are better off if you avoid the roads and take the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, AKN, rapid transit or regional rail lines for fast, direct rail connections within the Hamburg region, all leading into the city center.
- HVV for newly arrived residents
- Overview line and route network plans
- The CityBike Hamburg, the bike system “StadtRAD Hamburg”
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.
Get to know the HVV: Within 3 months after you have moved to Hamburg according to your registration confirmation, you can use the AB areas for one week free of charge. You can find more information here.
Stadtrad Hamburg / Lüneburg
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. The annual fee is 5 EUR. Up to the 31st minute of travel, the use of StadtRAD is free of charge, from the 31st minute on it costs 10 cents.
By registering with StadtRAD Hamburg, you get access to the entire Call a Bike (Deutsche Bahn) bike-sharing fleet in Germany. You can find more information here.
On-Demand Shuttle
- Hamburg Lurup/Osdorf and Billbrook: ioki
- Lüneburg: ASM Lüneburg: from approx. 10 p.m., Sundays all dayg, in Lüneburg one trip costs 3,50 EUR.
- Phone: +49 4131 53344
Tips for every day
To get started in Germany this website provides tips for every day about doctors and parmacies, shopping and saving money, telephone, internet and postal service, safety, transportation.
Cost of living
To get an overview of the costs of living in Germany this website provides information on the costs of restaurants, markets, transportation, utilities, sports and leisure, child care, clothing and shoes, rent, buy appartment prices, salaries and financing.
2. Research at MIN Faculty
The research strength of the MIN Faculty is reflected in its research priorities, potential areas and strategic research fields.
You will find more information here.
Information on how to finance your can be found under MIN PhD Gateway.
3. Funding of research stay
A researcher from abroad who plans to carry out research at Universität Hamburg and is looking for a research fellowship or funding program may check the websites below
In any case, contact your potential scientific host at the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, MIN Faculty of Universität Hamburg and ask for research funding possibilities for your planned research project at the department of the academic host. Also contact your host prior arrival in order to clarify any special conditions pertaining to the research projects (e.g. permission to carry out certain experiments, regulations governing medical practices, etc.) and to obtain information about premises and equipment so as to make sure that the planned research project is technically feasible at the department of the academic host of Universität Hamburg.
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
On the website of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation you can check for programs for researchers coming to Germany: for postdoctoral researchers, experienced researchers, and internationally recognised cutting-edge researchers
DFG Programs and Research Directory
- 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. Then select the desired research area from the offered selection as well as the research location (Hamburg).
- The Walter Benjamin Programme of the DFG supports postdocs in the implementation of their own research project for up to 2 years. The application can be submitted at any time.
EURAXESS Funding Database
The EURAXESS funding database offers information on funding programs.
Fritz Thyssen Foundation
The travel subsidies of the Fritz Thyssen Foundation are aimed at postdocs, in the first two to four years after their doctorate, who are working on the molecular causes in the development of illnesses. Applications may be submitted at any time, the decision time is usually eight weeks.
DAAD
- You can search the DAAD scholarship database for suitable funding opportunities. (Only available in German)
- The DAAD supports postdoctoral researchers with their Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (P.R.I.M.E.), funded by the BMBF and the EU. The programme offers temporary positions at German universities including a 12-month phase abroad and a six-month integration phase at the German university.
European Research Council
The European Research Council supports projects researchers with 2-7 years of experience since completion of their doctoral studies. The application has to be submitted in response to a Call for Proposals.
EMBO Postdoc Fellowship
The European Molecular Biology Organisaion(EMBO) supports postdoctoral researchers in the field of molecular biology for a period of up to two years.
FEBS Fellowships
The Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) offers various fellowships for postdocs in the field of biochemistry.
The deadlines in 2020 are:
- Summer Fellowships: 1 April 2020
- Long-Term Fellowhips: 1 September 2020
- Short-Term Fellowships: applications may be submitted at any time.
Leopoldina Postdoc Fellowship
The Leopoldina - Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaft offers research grants for scientists from Germany, Austria and three Switzerland for up to 7 years after the doctorate. (Only available in German)
4. Visa
Researchers from European Union countries and countries of the European Economic Area and Switzerland
EU nationals and nationals of those countries for which the European Community (EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) just need a valid passport to enter Germany. They do not need a visa to enter Germany.
Non-EU researchers
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. Information on visa regulations including visa fees and a table of the countries whose citizens require/do not require visa are available at: 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.
Information on entry and stay of researchers from non-EU countries is available on the pages of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
5. Accommodation
Due to the high demand and shortage of accommodation in Hamburg, it is strongly recommended to start making arrangements for accommodation while you are still at home.
- For support for newcomers in need of accommodation, please contact the Service for International Academics
- How to find an apartment for rent? Please check out Info Sheet 'How to find an apartment in Hamburg' for information on rentals.
- Hotels and hostels If you prefer to stay at hotels or hostels at a favorable price for the first few days in Hamburg, check out Hostel Hamburg Booking.
- International Housing: You can find apartments located close to the University Campus.
- Classifieds: You can find rental apartments through small advertisements, e.g. in the Hamburger Abendblatt (Search mask in German only). An overview of the most important abbreviations used in German housing advertisements can be found here.
- Shared flats: You can find a room in a shared apartment on the portal WG-Gesucht (in Germany only).
Rent 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.
A rental agreement or a confirmation from the student residence is required in order to register at Hamburg Welcome Center and to apply for a residence permit after arrival. Please contact the Hamburg Welcome Center 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 17.50€ per month 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 benefit in order to receive state subsidies for accommodation (in German only).
6. Residence registration (Anmeldung)
You have to register at Hamburg Welcome Center (HWC) within the first week of arrival to obtain a residence registration certificate, “Meldebescheinigung”. The registration form is available at: forms. You can find an English completion help here: English sample. Contact an English speaking advisor at HWC who will be happy to assist you with your application. The following documents are required for for an application for a residence registration:
- Completed and signed registration form
- A valid passport or ID
- Birth certificate, marriage certificate or divorce decree where applicable
- Confirmation from the landlord "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung"
- Administrative fee: 12 € (subject to change)
7. Residence title (Aufenthaltstitel)
Everybody including EU nationals staying in Germany for more than three months must apply for and obtain a residence title (Aufenthaltstitel). Consequently, international visiting researchers must apply for a residence title. You should first register your residence at the Hamburg Welcome Center before you apply for a residence title. As of 1st September 2011 an electronic residence permit (eAT) in credit card format replaces the paper form.
The documents needed for the residence title application are listed below, based on information provided by the Hamburg Welcome Center. If any of the required documents is missing, your application will be refused. Thus, please always check requirements with an English speaking advisor of the HWC before applying. The HWC information service is available for free. You need to arrange an appointment with Hamburg Welcome Center.
Necessary documents to be submitted may vary in individual cases.
- 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"AT"welcome.hamburg.de or you can make an appointment by telephone before your arrival: +49-40-42854-5001.
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
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.
8. Health insurance, health care and emergency services
Health insurance is mandatory for everybody residing in Germany. In order to receive first payment if you are employed, you need to provide a proof of health insurance or a copy of your European Insurance Card (EHIC). Proof of health insurance is also essential for extending your residence permit. Researchers from EU countries who have an EHIC or E 109 (for families) can usually keep their health insurance that covers any necessary medical treatment within the European Economic Area (EEA). More information is available at the German mission in your country.
Contributions
If you are employed (i.e. a research scientist), the standardized contribution rate for your health insurance makes up 15.5 % of your monthly gross. The contributions are then split between your employer (7,3%) and you (8,2%) and will be automatically deducted from your monthly salary.
State regulated health-insurance (public health insurance) include premium-free family insurance. This insures the holders's spouse or official partner and children (up to a certain age limit). The prerequisites to be eligible for family insurance is that the income of the spouse and children does not exceed 375 € per month (stand 2012) and that they are not insured themselves.
Health insurance systems
There are two health insurance systems in Germany:
-
A public health insurance which is generally taken out by international researchers up to 34 years old. To find out which health insurance system is madatory for you, check out the EURAXESS homepage Health Insurance Guide. You can find more information about state-regulated health insurance at Federal Ministry of Health.
-
A private health insurance which generally offers more extensive cover, but is not automatically advantageous for everyone. If you are employed on the basis of an employment contract, it depends on your salary whether you can take out a private or public health insurance.
Health Insurance Companies
If you are not from a EU country and need a health insurance, you can find a list of the health insurance companies, Krankenkasse in the telephone directories of the Yellow Pages of Hamburg: Yellow Pages Health Insurance Companies: AOK, Barmer, Care College, DAK, GEK, HEK, HKK, HMK, IKK, KKH, Knappschaft, TK. This alphabetical list of health insurance companies is not exhaustive and we do not recommend any particular insurance company.
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
- Residence registration certificate
- Proof of financial situation, i.e. statement of income, contract of employment
- Bank account details
Health care and emergency services
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.Addresses and telephone numbers of doctors are available in the telephone directories of the Yellow Pages Doctors (in German). Enter the type of doctor or specialist (Facharzt) you are looking for in the search field “Stichwort, Name, Telefonnummer„ (keyword, name, phone number):
Alphabetical list of a few types of doctors
Allgemeinmedizin | general medecine | Kieferorthopäde | orthodontist |
Augenarzt | oculist | Kinderarzt | paeditrician |
Augenheilkunde | ophtalmology | Frauenheilkunde | Gynaecology |
Hausarzt | General Practitioner (GP) | Orthopäde | orthopaedist |
Hautarzt | dermatologist | Zahnarzt | dentist |
If you need urgent medical care at the weekend or at night, report to the „Ambulanz“ (outpatient department) or „Notaufnahme“ (Accident and Emergency) in hospital or call a doctor. Emergency doctors are listed in local newspapers under the heading of “Ärztlicher Notdienst” (Medical Emergency Service) or „Notdienst“ (Emergency Service).
Emergency call numbers | |
---|---|
Police | 110 |
Fire Brigade | 112 |
Medical emergency service | 116 117 |
Pharmacy emergency service | 22833 |
Medical emergency practice In Altona: Stresemannstrasse 54, 22769 Hamburg In Farmsen: Berner Heerweg 124, 22159 Hamburg Opening time: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 19:00-24:00, Wed 13:00-24:00, Sat, Sun & official holidays 7:00-24:00 |
We do not make claim that the information given is accurate or exhaustive, and shall accept no liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content of the websites referred to. The information provided is for general informational purposes only. 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.
9. Liability insurance (third-party insurance)
You should know about the importance of having a liability insurance. It is worthwhile to take out a (family) liability insurance for the entire duration of your research stay in case of damage caused to a third party. The third-party insurance will protect you against claims resulting from damage caused unintentionally. Standard third-party insurance policies are not expensive and the conditions are similar. Contact Service for International Visiting Researchers for any queries.
10. Family Affairs
Contact the Family Office for any queries regarding your family. The office also puts together useful material such as flyers on family support services and coordinates information about the compatibility of work and family.
Residence permit for spouses
(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.
Work permit for spouses
Spouses accompanying 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
Child care
Day Care institutions are rare and eligibility generally depends on the employment status of both parents.
11. Setting up a bank account
Setting up a bank account in Germany is straightforward. To obtain a current account (Girokonto), you need to supply the following documents:
- Registration certificate of your current residence in Germany (Meldebescheinigung, cf. 4)
- A valid passport
- Work contract, where applicable
- A proof of income would make the opening of a bank account easier (pay slip or bank statement).
Take the documents to your chosen bank or branch. Please ask at the bank or the branch if you could get information from an English speaking customer adviser. Addresses and telephone numbers of banks or branches are available at Yellow Pages Banks, the telephone directories of Hamburg.
Enter “Bank und Sparkassen” (banks and saving banks) in the search field “Stichwort, Name, Telefonnummer„ (keyword, name, phone number), then enter the place (Ort) or postcode (PLZ), district name (Stadtteil) or street name (Straße) in the search field “Ort, PLZ, Stadtteil, Straße“. Last click on „suchen“(search) to look for addresses of a bank near your place.
Once at the local branch, always ask for any potential service charges as they may differ from bank to bank. You may be charged for: opening an account, yearly administrative costs, credit card costs, withdrawal costs from other banks, bank statements printouts.
Depending on the bank and the account details, bank cards should normally be sent by post within a few days.
Bank Terminology Guide
Account number | Kontonummer | Current account | Girokonto | |
Amount | Summe | Debit card | EC-Karte | |
Bank | Bank | Deposit | Einzahlung | |
Bank account | Bankkonto | Direct debit | Lastschrift, Abbuchung | |
Bank balance | Kontostand | Exchange Bureau | Wechselstube | |
Bank charges | Bankgebühren | Exchange Rate | Wechselkurs | |
Bank manager | Filialleiter | Fiscal/tax code | Abgabenordung | |
Bank note | Geldschein | Fixed rate | feste Rate | |
Bank statement | Bankauszug | Interest rate | Zinssatz | |
Bank transfer | Banküberweisung | Overdraft | Kontoüberziehung | |
Credit balance | Guthaben | Paying-in slip | Einzahlungsbeleg | |
Credit card | Kreditkarte | Payment slip | Einzahlungsschein | |
Standing order | Dauerauftrag | Sort code | Bankleitzahl |
12. Information for new staff and employees of Universität Hamburg
Now you have sorted out your family, accommodation, health insurance, bank account, residence registration, etc. and you think you can start working... Now you need keys, IT services to set up a work space with your computer, a telephone connection as well as the internal telephone directory, and a lot more. You can find an answer to those topics at: New at Universität Hamburg
13. Language courses, workshops and seminars
Language courses are generally offered at six different levels from A1 to C2, following the Common European Reference Framework for Languages. The six levels A1 and A2 for basic users, B1 and B2 for independent users and C1 and C2 for proficient users are an interpretation of the classic division into basic (A), intermediate (B) and advanced (C).
In-Class courses
Courses offered by the joint Language Center of Universität Hamburg and the Adult Education Center
You can check for language courses offered by the joint Language Center of Universität Hamburg and the Adult Education Center here.
Courses offered by the Adult Education Center
The Adult Education Center also offers classes at different levels from A1 to C2. Please be advised that these are not tailored to academic level so you should take "schnelles Lerntempo" classes at fast learning pace. You can ask an advisor for an assessment test to make sure that the course is suitable for you.
Check for available courses at: Hamburg Volkshochschule.
Courses offered by Goethe-Institut
Intensive and evening courses at Goethe-Institut
Course information portal Hamburg provides you with more German courses offered by further language institutions in Hamburg (in German).
Workshops and seminars
offered at Universität Hamburg can be found at Career Center Workshops and Seminars.
Language Learning Services at University of Hamburg
Information on language courses and workshops is available at PIASTA Language Compass PIASTA Language Compass.
Events, advising services, networks and an information pool, guides and supports on your career path are offered by Career Center.
Online German courses
If you want to learn German basics in your own time, you could sign up for the free online course “German Steps” for beginners at BBC Languages. 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.
“Deutsche Welle” also offers free interactive German self-study course for everyone at DW German Course. It covers levels A1 and 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 Janie.Wermter"AT"uni-hamburg.de.
We do not make claim that the information given is accurate or exhaustive, and shall accept no liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content of the websites referred to. The information provided is for general informational purposes only. 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.