Studying throughout Europe , Date: 2020.03.01, format: Article, area: Migration and residence

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The EU's mobility arrangements enable you to also study in other Member States (with the exception of Ireland and Denmark) for up to 360 days if you hold a residence title for study purposes. The Research and Studies (REST) Directive was already not applicable to the United Kingdom before its withdrawal from the EU. Denmark and Ireland didn't implement the REST Directive. Some Member States require a separate notification to the respective competent authorities in this regard; an overview of the procedures can be found in the Download area.

Stays of up to 360 days in Germany for study purposes

Make it in Germany: Working and Living in Germany Link to the information hotline "working and living in Germany" Source: © Make it in Germany

If you already hold a residence title issued by another Member State for study purposes, you do not require a German residence title. Your residence title must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Germany.

The German higher education institution must submit prior notification of your intended stay to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. This notification should be provided as soon as it becomes known that you intend to study in Germany. Full notification absolutely must be received no later than 30 days prior to your entering Germany.

It is not necessary for you to present yourself in person to the immigration authority.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees will issue you with a certificate confirming your entitlement to stay in Germany. The certificate is of a declaratory nature, and is not absolutely necessary for you to be able to enter the country.

Notification of the Federal Office

The notification which the relevant higher education institution sends to the Federal Office must comprise the following documents:

  • a residence title issued by the first EU State (issued for study purposes and in accordance with the REST Directive),
  • a recognised, valid passport/replacement passport (copy only),
  • proof that you are taking part in a programme organised by the EU or other multilateral programme entailing mobility and/or the agreement between the higher education institutions,
  • an admission of the receiving university,
  • proof that you can support yourself (incl. proof that you have health insurance).

All documents, with the exception of the passport and the residence title, must be submitted in German. Where applicable, the BAMF can accept easily comprehensible documents in a foreign language, but decides whether the documents submitted meet the requirements.

Information for the host higher education institution in Germany: Notification may only be carried out by the higher education institution. It can be uploaded via the following MoNa web-application: https://nks.bamf.de

In order to have access to MoNa, you will need to have signed MoNa’s conditions for use; a scanned, signed copy must be sent to the Federal Office via the BSCW server. The higher education institution will then receive a registration code to use the Delegated User Administration (DeBeV) in order to manage its staff’s access to MoNa, along with the appropriate instructions for use.

You will find more information on registration and how to transmit the application at "Further information/Downloads"

Stays of more than 360 days in Germany for study purposes

You will generally require a residence permit for study purposes if you wish to stay in Germany for study purposes for more than 360 days. Additional information can be found under "Studies".

The legal basis

  • Section 16b of the Residence Act
  • Section 16c of the Residence Act
  • Section 19f of the Residence Act
  • Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council