Preparation from abroad
If you need help: VisaFlow offers excellent support with the visa application process!
The VisaFlow web is a service designed to assist our international students with all the bureaucratic steps involved in the application for the German Student Visa and Residence Permit. In addition, the Info Hub on the VisaFlow platform offers information and useful tips for important topics such as Housing, Health Insurance, Student Life in Germany, Working as a Student etc.
Activate your free access with the code "UNIBREMEN25" at platform.visaflow.app.
Unfortunately the International Office have no influence on the visa process. If you experience any problems, you must contact the German embassy or consulate responsible for you directly. Admission cannot be postponed to a later semester. You are invited to reapply for the next admission process.
To find out whether and which visa you need to enter Germany, please consult the Visa Navigator. If you need a visa to enter Germany, you will find a helpful graphic overview of the visa procedure here.
The visa procedure for the purpose of studying usually takes place in three steps:
1. Checking the requirements for a visa?????
- Proof of financing: ???As part of the visa process, you must prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses. For the purpose of studying, this proof of financing should be provided in the form of a blocked account. You can withdraw 1/12 of the amount per month from this account. The amount that must be deposited in the blocked account is currently �11,904/ year. You can find out how to open a blocked account in Germany here. The required cost overview for submission to credit institutions can be found here.?????? Alternatively, a person living in Germany can submit a “declaration of commitment” to the responsible migration authority. Another option is a scholarship.
- You have admission to a state-recognized university/preparatory college in Germany. If you do not yet have admission, you need a visa for the purpose of applying to university.
- Your passport must be valid for at least three months after the date when you expect to leave Germany. If you do not know when you will leave the country, your passport must be valid for at least three months longer than the visa applied for at the ambassador's office.
2. Application process in your country of residence
- A visa for the purpose of studying is issued by the responsible German mission in your country of residence. You can use the Federal Foreign Office's Consular Services Portal to apply for a visa. Please plan enough time for the visa application process, as the visa can take several months to issue. Some German authorities now offer the option of submitting applications online. You can check here whether this is possible in your country.
3. Application process in Germany
- Information on the further procedure after arrival and on applying for a residence permit can be found here.
Anyone wishing to study in Germany is obliged to have health insurance. Without health insurance, it is not possible to enrol or apply for a resident permit. Further information on health insurance can be found here.
Brief overview: In Germany there is statutory health insurance (GKV) and private health insurance. EU citizens can usually use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non-EU citizens should take out German health insurance, as foreign private travel insurance is often not recognized. Further information about that can be found on the webpage of the Studierendenwerk or the webpage of the DAAD.
Statutory health insurance (GKV)
Statutory health insurance is subject to a standard contribution rate. In addition, there is the additional contribution to the health insurance funds. You can find out how much statutory health insurance for international students generally costs on this page.
The services provided by statutory health insurance are largely fixed. There are differences in customer service, additional services and optional tariffs. You are free to choose any statutory health insurance. We have listed some providers with a branch on the university campus here. The services and prices are almost identical:
If you are not required to take out statutory health insurance, for example because you have European or private insurance, you must still contact a health insurance company. They will check your insurance and inform the university. This check is important and necessary for enrollment.
Private health insurance
In contrast to statutory health insurance, the contributions to private health insurance are not dependent on income, but are based on various criteria that reflect the risk profile, such as age, occupation, state of health and the insurance cover you require. The more comprehensive the desired services, the higher the contribution. Private patients are issued with personal invoices: you have to pay these yourself and will be reimbursed by the insurance company later.
There are some exceptions where you must take out private insurance:
- for the Preparatory Studies Program
- if you are a student 30 years or older
- for the period from arrival in Germany until regular studies begin
Selection of some private health insurance provider can be found here.
Finding a Place to Live – Start Your Life in Bremen the Right Way!
Congratulations on your admission to the University of Bremen! Now there’s just one thing missing: a room or an apartment.
Important: The International Office cannot arrange private housing. Receiving a study place does not mean that you already have accommodation. Housing in Bremen is in high demand. That’s why we strongly recommend that you start looking as early as possible – ideally while you are still abroad. Please note: It can take 3 to 6 months to find a place to live. Our tip: Patience and persistence are key. Start your housing search now – we’re looking forward to welcoming you in Bremen soon!
To make your start in Bremen easier, we’ve put together some essential tips and resources:
1. First Step: Check out “Wohnen in Bremen”
Our Wohnen in Bremen page provides:
an overview of student dormitories near campus
useful links for finding private rooms
2. Apply for a Student Dormitory – as early as possible!
Fill out the online housing application for the Studierendenwerk Bremen.
Please note:
Furnished student dorms are very popular
Unfortunately, there are not enough rooms for all students
You may be placed on a waiting list
Tip: Do not rely solely on the dorm application – search for private housing at the same time!
3. Private Housing Search
Use platforms such as:
Short-term options can also help at the beginning:
- Guesthouses, hotels, hostels, Airbnbs – find an overview here.
- Once you’re in Bremen, you can also search locally, for example in newspapers.
- Not sure which part of Bremen to live in? Check out this overview of Bremen’s neighborhoods.
More Information
These websites offer helpful information about housing in Germany:
Info Hub on VisaFlow (free of charge after registration with access code: UNIBREMEN25)
Watch Out for Scams!
International students are often targeted by scammers on the private housing market.
Common warning signs:
Very cheap, furnished apartments with amazing photos
No viewings possible – not even by video
Upfront payment (deposit or rent) required before seeing the apartment
Communication only via email or WhatsApp
You are asked to send a copy of your passport
Bank accounts abroad (often claiming to be a "family member")
Important: Do not send money before seeing the apartment in person. Do not send personal documents to strangers.
Not sure if an offer is legit? Contact the International Office – we’re here to help!
Even if the University of Bremen does not charge tuition fees, you still have to pay a semester fee per semester.
You must be able to ensure that you can cover the costs of your stay in Bremen. For regular student life in Germany at least 992� per month is required. This amount includes all costs for rent, food, insurance, leisure and study. On the DAAD website you will find a detailed breakdown of the costs of education and living. For international students from visa-required countries, this amount is usually proven by a blocked account – ensuring your financial coverage for the first year in Germany.
If you need financial support for your stay, you can search the DAAD scholarship database for suitable support from around 50 funding opportunities from a wide range of organisations. The University of Bremen and the International Office do not offer scholarships themselves.