Accommodation

Since at the beginning of the term all the freshmen in Hamburg are looking for a suitable and affordable accommodation, the hunt for housing may turn out to cost much in terms of time and temper. Therefore it is recommended to start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. There are several possibilities in looking for accommodations:

• A room in a student residence is in most cases the cheapest available accommodation for students up to 30 years of age, in exceptional cases up to 35. Studierendenwerk (Student Welfare Union) offers rooms in 21 halls of residences with different facilities spread out in the whole city of Hamburg. The monthly rent for a furnished room in the student dormitories of the German Student Services (Studierendenwerk), is currently EUR 197,-- including incidental costs like heating, water, electricity, internet access and extra charges. To obtain accommodation in one of these student residences, you have to apply directly to the "Studierendenwerk" using their application form. The "Studierendenwerk" reserves 35% of its rooms for foreign students. However, there is no guarantee that you will obtain a room. You might be placed on a waiting list as well.

• Apart from the "Studierendenwerk", there are several private organizations offering a contingent of rooms for students. In this case you also have to apply directly at the selected organization. You will find a list with the organisations in question on the homepage of the Studierendenwerk.

• There are additional information sources you can use to look for accommodation like local newspapers or "notice-boards" at the university. The student association (AStA) of the university of Hamburg offers a data base with a wide range of accommodations for students in and around Hamburg (only available in German). You can also advertise that you are looking for a room. Another possibility is to look for a flat through an estate agent, which would usually require two months' rent as advance.

• A small contingent of rooms in flat share with other students of Kühne School students can also be reserved via Kühne School.

In addition to the rent, in most cases (except accommodation offered by the "Studierendenwerk") you will have to leave a security deposit. The amount usually ranges from one to three months rent. You will get this money back when you move out of the flat.

Please note when signing rental contracts: Contractual obligations are taken seriously in Germany. Once you have signed a contract, your landlord will expect you to fulfil what you have signed. Be sure you understand the contract and have someone help you translate the contract, if necessary.

If you have not found a suitable accommodation before coming to Hamburg there are several opportunities for staying the first days here.

• "Studierendenwerk" has got a small contingent of accommodations for students who haven't found a room before coming to Hamburg. A certificate of enrolment is required. However in case of great demand the maximum time to rent is limited to 8 days.
• There is also the possibility for short stay accommodation in Youth Hostels (Membership cards can be obtained directly from the Youth Hostels.)

Insurance

Health Insurance

Medical treatment is very costly in Germany, so you have to make sure that you are covered by insurance for sickness and emergencies. Additionally, a valid health insurance with a German health insurance is mandatory for enrolment at the Kühne School and you will usually not get a residence permit without a proof of adequate health insurance. Foreign health insurance contracts are only accepted if the country has an official agreement with Germany. This applies mainly to EU countries.

Students from the EU, including Norway:

There is an EU agreement which guarantees free medical treatment for EU citizens, including Norway, in Germany. Therefore students from these countries should contact the health department in their home country in order to obtain a European Health Insurance Card (which replaces E111(B), E110, E119 and E128). It is indispensable that your health insurance will be valid for the whole period of studies otherwise please make sure that you are able to renew your insurance from Germany before its expiry date. If you are not covered by a statutory health insurance, you will require a confirmation that your stay in Germany will be covered by a private health insurance.

• Students from other countries that have an agreement with Germany regarding social security, including an insurance clause, can continue to be insured in their home countries. In order to be exempt from a German health insurance you will need a confirmation from a local health insurance agency.

• All other students:

  Students who have spent less than 14 semesters studying at a university and who are under the age of 30 (with some exemptions) are eligible for the Statutory Health Insurance scheme. If you are 30 or above you can opt for a private insurance scheme. However, once you've opted out of the state insurance scheme, it is almost impossible to go back. Therefore you should consider very carefully the advantages and disadvantages of both schemes. Non-EU citizens who reside in Germany at least six but no more than 60 months can get special health insurance policies with substantially lower premiums.

Personal Liability Insurance (Private Haftpflichtversicherung)

Personal liability insurance covers you in cases of accidental damage to a third party or their property. You are covered whether the negligence was yours or that of a family member or even your pet. We would like to recommend you to get a personal liability insurance in addition to health insurance. If you are holding a personal liability insurance in your home country you should check whether insurance cover is provided during your stay in Germany. The annual contribution for personal liability insurance very much depends on the provider. As a rough estimate, you should calculate with at least 60 Euros.

For more information, you could check the insurance comparison charts at www.comfortplan.de (in German language only).

Registration

Once you have a permanent address in Hamburg, you must register with the Local Residents' Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) in order to receive later on the residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) and also report any change of address during your stay in Hamburg.

In order to register, you will have to submit your passport (ID) and entry visa (if applicable), and fill in the registration form (Anmeldeformular) which is available online in German and must be signed by your landlord (Vermieter). You will then receive a certificate of registration (Meldebestätigung) which you need for extending your visa, opening a bank account and for using the libraries.

Mobility certification

When staying longer than three months in Germany, students from countries of the European Union as well as from Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland will have to apply within the first three months of their stay for a mobility certification (Freizügigkeitsbescheinigung). These students do not need a visa to stay in Germany. To obtain the mobility certification, students have to fill in a special form and present the following documents to the Alien Registration Office:

• ID (original and copy)
• proof of enrolment
• residence registration
• proof of income (e.g. grant/parental support, etc.) of at least Euro 585 per month

If you are not from the countries listed above, you do need a visa to enter Germany.

Banking

Even if most large stores, restaurants and hotels usually accept credit cards it is recommended that you open a checking account as soon as you arrive in Hamburg in order to handle your payments or to receive your salary/grant. Below you will find some advantages of a checking account:

• giro account makes cash withdrawals possible at virtually any cash-point (of any bank) in Germany and cash-points abroad displaying the Maestro Logo (cash withdrawals from the bank at which you have your account or at their bank group are generally free)
• make cashless payments with your EC-card (electronic cash) /li>
• transfer sums of money by a remittance slip, online or per telephone banking (transfers inside the EU are generally duty-free)
• set up a standing order (Dauerauftrag) to pay for regular bills, such as rent, so that this amount will be automatically transferred at pre-determined dates
• have bills paid automatically via direct debit authorization (Einzugsermächtigung), such as for health insurance or your rent

To open an account you need to present:

• passport or personal identity card
• certificate of registration (Meldebestätigung)
• student ID (Studentenausweis)

Most banks charge a monthly checking account fee which may vary according to your income or status, and there are several checking account options. At most banks students, upon presenting their student ID, do not have to pay account fees. Kühne School has got cooperation with a German bank in Hamburg-Harburg. If you require we will assist you in opening a bank account.

Cheques are rather uncommon in Germany and are used only for special occasions. Traveller's cheques can be cashed at many (but not all) shops, restaurants and banks - however often with a surcharge. Cashing or lodging cheques or bank drafts at a bank generally involve a similar surcharge.