Everything you need to know General Information Germany Study Abroad in Germany

Pre-Departure Checklist for Germany: Everything you need to know

Tejal PatelSeptember 6, 2023

395 5 minutes read

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Pre-Departure Checklist for Germany: Everything you need to know

Are you soon going to Germany to begin your master’s program? Then, it’s time to finish off the last few things so that you are fully prepared for the big jump. This article will walk you through the Pre-Departure Checklist. Checking off these things will make your relocation much simpler. However, this is also the period when a lot of little things might go wrong and you might overlook something crucial. So start early and be patient.

Pre-Departure Checklist for Germany-

1. Consult with your doctor

To be sure you are in good health and that your vaccinations and medical documents are up to date, you may wish to make an appointment with your doctor before leaving. Having a copy of your medical file to bring to Germany would make your life much easier by helping your new doctor comprehend your medical history since records are frequently inaccessible from outside. Do not forget to bring any special medications with you if you have a medical condition. Additionally, ask your doctor about the alternative medications you can buy in Germany.

2. Check your passport’s expiration date

Check the expiration date on your passport. Generally speaking, you cannot travel with a passport that is valid for less than six months, however, conditions may differ depending on your citizenship and your final destination. Additionally, it is far simpler to have your passport renewed before you fly rather than having to struggle to do so while in Germany.

3. Luggage Guide

Start your packing up to a week before your travel, and pay careful attention to the items you use every day around the house. Consider purchasing some trackers for your baggage if you want to maintain tabs on your possessions, just in case, for peace of mind. The last thing you want is for your bag to malfunction when you’re traveling. Make sure your luggage bag is Lightweight & spacious. Verify that the measurements adhere to the guidelines established by the airlines. Prepare your packing well in advance.

Packing List for International Students Going to Germany!

4. Make copies of all of your essential documents

Even though you’ll be traveling to Germany with all of your most crucial papers, including your passport, and birth certificate, it makes sense to leave a hard copy at your home. Additionally, organizing these papers in the appropriate Google Drive folders will make it simpler for you to find them when you need them. It’s better to make a hard copy and a soft copy of all the important documents listed below.

- Valid passport with your student visa
- A written acknowledgment from your health insurance company of your coverage.
- Vaccination certificate
- Travel Insurance
- Evidence of enrollment in your program
- All required paperwork for your university registration
- Written verification that you have the resources to support yourself while visiting Germany (using bank statements, notarized letter of support, etc.)
- Air ticket
- All original educational/work certificates and other important documents
- Detailed directions to your university or accommodation
- You will use approximately eight passport images for your residency permit and other legal paperwork

COVID-19 Certificate- Keep a copy of your COVID-19 immunization certificate in print as well as digital format. It is advisable to check the official website for the most recent restrictions and criteria.

Covid Rules in Germany!

5. Consult with your bank

Make sure to inform your bank that you will be relocating abroad so that they can add a travel notice to your account. By doing this, you should avoid the terrible circumstance of having your account or cards restricted when you attempt to access them from outside the country.

6. Cash to carry around

After you arrive in Germany, you will need some time before you can unblock your blocked account. So, for your first few days in your new city, you need to buy some local coins and notes. By exchanging your money in advance, you can get a higher rate than using the cash machines at the airport. It’s crucial to bring a substantial amount of cash to cover a number of immediate expenses in the first month, such as your taxi fare from the airport to your place of residence in Germany, the cost of a SIM card, some fruits and snacks, the deposit for the apartment, the cost of the first few days of public transportation tickets, etc. You can bring 750 to 800 euros in cash for expenses in the first few days.

7. Appointments you need to make

Even before you leave on your trip, schedule an appointment for the Anmeldung (city registration in Germany). You can create a bank account, get a phone contract, get a tax ID number, and access additional resources once you’ve enrolled. Typically, it takes a long time to find an appointment in big cities.

8. Prepare yourself for the ride

Make sure your bags don’t weigh more than allowed by weighing them beforehand. Give each bag a unique identification mark. Last but not least, make sure that your hand luggage contains all of your valuables, crucial papers, your passport, and your airline ticket. Important phone numbers, such as your senior’s or university’s number, and the location of your accommodation should be noted down or kept on hand. Your arrival date and time should be communicated to the office for international students at your university (a few days in advance). Find out if the airport pickup service is offered. Lastly, reach the airport on time and enjoy your flight to Germany.

Before flying off, ask yourself…

- Did you apply for and receive the right visa?
- Did you buy your plane tickets?
- Have you purchased your International Student Card (ISIC) to receive discounts on lodging and transportation?
- Have you checked the passport expiration date?
- Brought you enough (biometric-compatible) passport photos to get you through your encounters with German bureaucracy and to last you the entire time?
- Have you switched from Indian Rupees to Euros? Do you have enough cash with you?
- A haircut recently? It’s crucial to have nice haircuts because they might be pricey in Germany.
- Have you brought your acceptance letter, welcome packet, and transcript of records (especially for transfer and exchange students)?
- If you have not yet found a long-term residence, have you found a place to stay for at least the first few nights?
- Have you found a contact in the city you’re visiting?
- Have you gone through the Pre-Departure Checklist for Germany?

If the answers to all the questions above are YES, then… you are ready for a safe flight!

Finally…

Go through this Pre-Departure Checklist for Germany, before you leave for the airport. Once you land in Germany, there are a few things you need to accomplish. You must be aware of these issues and how to deal with them beforehand if you want to prevent being caught off guard and letting control of the situation slide away from you. The tasks you must complete as soon as you arrive in Germany are listed below in order to make it simple for you.

Things to do after reaching Germany

After coming to Germany, it’s important to know how to get around because if you don’t, you can have difficulties because you don’t know the laws and regulations.