Visa and insurance for studying abroad

Information on what has to be done before beginning your studies abroad can be found below.

Visa

If you are not from Germany or the European Union, please check the visa information given by the Federal Foreign Office of your home country.

Students from EU member states do not need a visa for a student exchange visit to an Erasmus+ programme country. All that is required for entry into the country is a valid travel document (a valid passport, for example). One exception to this rule is Turkey.

For stays outside the Erasmus+ programme countries, a visa for study purposes is normally required for entry into the country and for the exchange visit. In most cases, it is not possible to enter the country on a tourist visa and then convert this to a student visa after arrival. Depending on the particular host country, it can take up to several weeks to process the visa application. Please ensure that you apply for your visa in good time.

Detailed information on the entry requirements for the individual countries is available on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office. Important medical advice for your destination country can be also found there. Always ensure that you allow sufficient time for any vaccinations needed. Some vaccinations must be repeated at intervals of several weeks or several months, for instance, in order to provide reliable protection.

 

Insurance

Students who wish to study abroad must ensure they have sufficient insurance cover.

Please note that you are personally responsible for ensuring you have sufficient insurance cover during your stay abroad. Neither Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences nor any other institution involved in implementing your exchange / funding is liable for the consequences of you being insufficiently insured or not insured at all.
 

For your existing insurance policies, make sure you find out in advance what services are covered abroad and for what period of time, and then take out any additional insurance that may be required. There is a wide range of insurance providers that offer suitable cover.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), for instance, provides insurance packages specifically for students who are funded through Erasmus+  or PROMOS. For further details and related links, see the DAAD's website.


Health and accident insurance

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid for studies within the EU. Germany has also concluded social security agreements with various countries outside the EU. In these cases, students have to obtain proof of health insurance from their German health insurance provider. Please note, however, that existing insurance cover may be insufficient, in particular if return transport or special medical interventions are necessary. Normally, only treatment that is a medical necessity will be covered. It might therefore be a good idea to take out additional private health insurance.

In any case for a semester abroad outside the EU or in countries that have no social security agreement with Germany, students will have to arrange private health insurance cover for the duration of their stay. Simple travel health insurance for holiday trips is normally insufficient for longer studies or an internship abroad.

Third- party liability insurance

Third-party liability insurance covers typical everyday risks such as the loss of or damage to objects. Individual countries have different regulations concerning third-party liability insurance. Consequently, you should clarify with your insurer whether and to what extent you will be covered in your destination country. Also bear in mind that some international insurance policies are limited to a particular length of stay (six to eight weeks, for example), making them insufficient for studies abroad.