🔬 Researcher / PhD Journey

1

Get university hosting agreement

Your German host university/institution must issue a formal Aufnahmevertrag (hosting agreement). Required for the researcher visa.

2

Apply for researcher visa (§18d AufenthG)

Submit at German embassy with hosting agreement, degree, financial proof, health insurance. Processing: 4–8 weeks.

3

Degree recognition check

Check Anabin database for recognition status of your degree. Most researcher visas accept foreign PhDs without formal recognition.

4

Arrive and register (Anmeldung)

Register at Bürgeramt within 2 weeks. Essential for everything that follows.

5

Get health insurance

Public GKV via TK/AOK or private PKV. Many research institutions have group plans — check with your host.

6

Apply for residence permit

Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Forschung at Ausländerbehörde. Bring hosting agreement, Anmeldung, insurance, degree.

7

Open bank account

DKB or N26 are popular with international researchers. Need IBAN for salary or stipend.

8

Register with university/institution

Immatrikulation if PhD student, or employee registration if postdoc. Get your institutional email and library access.

9

DFG / DAAD funding check

If not yet funded: apply to DFG (German Research Foundation) or DAAD for fellowships and research grants.

10

File tax return (if applicable)

Researchers with salary file Einkommensteuererklärung. Stipend recipients may be tax-exempt — check with host institution.