Dear Students,
We are delighted to welcome you to the International Office's Buddy Programme and to support international students in their daily lives.
Perhaps you have already spent some time abroad and have experienced the value of a direct contact?
Here in Germany, you are the direct contact person for incoming international students. You will be their first point of contact for administrative matters and for information about what student life is like on campus.
Our Buddy Guide will help you not to get lost and will show you the right order for dealing with the authorities. (Please follow it!)
We hope that you will enjoy taking care of your Buddy! Thank you for your commitment!
Yours sincerely
The International Office of the Anhalt University of Applied Science
General Buddy-Guide
What do I need to be aware of as a Buddy?
- Put yourself in your Buddy's shoes: What is unusual or new for them? What else should they know?
- You are representing the Anhalt University of Applied Science. Please be a good host.
- You decide on the intensity of your support, based on mutual sympathy and the international student's need for information.
- You can help with academic tasks, but you don't have to (!).
- In most cases, it is good and helpful for you to guide your Buddy through the various applications.
- It is important to follow the order! You will always receive documents from each authority/office that you need to take to the next authority/office.
What are my tasks as a Buddy?
- You will be looking after 1-2 international students on a voluntary basis.
- Firstly, you will contact the students before they arrive and pick them up from the station at your university.
- Secondly, you will help them move into their accommodation.
- Finally, you will explore the Anhalt University of Applied Science together.
- You will also accompany the international students when dealing with the authorities and other contacts.
How do I get in touch with my Buddy?
We will send you an e-mail with all of your Buddy's contact details.
Please contact them as soon as possible. Explain who you are and why you are contacting them. Include your mobile phone number to make it easier to reach you and to clarify any travel arrangements.
Important (!) You can arrange the details with your Buddy yourself, but you should meet them in person at your place of study.
If you do not hear from your Buddy, please let us know.
How can I help with accommodation?
Your Buddy may need help with finding accommodation, handing over the keys, signing the lease, etc.
Contact the accommodation service of the Studentenwerk Halle:
The staff of the accommodation service of the Studentenwerk Halle are the first point of contact for international students with questions about accommodation. In most cases, accommodation for international programme students (non-degree students) is reserved in advance with the Studentenwerk Halle.
If your Buddy does not yet have a place to stay when you contact us, please register them online for a room/apartment at the Studentenwerk Halle.
Any documents required when concluding the rental agreement:
- Passport Residence permit (non-EU citizens)
- Bank details
All documents must be available as original documents and as copies!
Private student flats
In addition to the single rooms and apartments offered by the Studentenwerk Halle, there are many private landlords who offer student accommodation.
Please note that these flats are usually unfurnished. Utilities (water, gas, electricity, etc.) must also be paid separately if they are provided by service companies.
Please make sure that international students do not sign a contract for a year if they are not going to be here for a full year!
When does my Buddy have to report to the city?
Your Buddy must register in person within two weeks of their arrival in person in the respective university town. Registering with the Residents' Registration Office is a legal obligation.
Does my Buddy have to pay the licence fee?
Yes, your Buddy is legally obliged to do so. Some time after registering with the Residents' Registration Office, your Buddy will probably receive a letter asking them to pay the licence fee.
Shared flats
- Must pay €55.08 (as of 2025) for 3 months at a time (quarterly). (A monthly payment is not possible)
- One person in the flat-sharing community must be the access holder, who has the capacity and responsibility to pay the entire fee.
- The other flatmates must pay their own share of the fee to them, e.g. of the total fee if there are 3 people, or if there are 5 people everyone must pay 1/5 to the fee payer.
- It should be clarified beforehand whether anyone in the shared flat has already paid the fee. If necessary, the fee payer must be found.
- The fee payer is obliged to complete the application under the paragraph ‘My home has not yet been registered’ and send it to the licence fee office.
- If payment has already been made, the licence fee account number must be entered under the paragraph ‘I already have a licence fee account for this flat’ must be stated.
- If someone else in the shared flat has also already paid, please enter their name and licence fee account number under the paragraph ‘A family member/roommate is already paying licence fees for this flat’.
In general: - Your Buddy must pay the fee for the entire duration of their stay.
- Before your Buddy leaves Germany, they must inform the GEZ Contribution Service when they are leaving the country (date).
Further information and contact:
Can my Buddy open a German bank account?
Yes, they can open a German bank account during their stay at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (if necessary).
In general, your Buddy can open an account at any German bank.
Important (!) Opening an account for stays of less than 12 months is hardly possible.
EU students can use their home bank accounts.
Documents required
1. Passport
2. Tenancy agreement
3. Confirmation of registration from the Residents' Registration Office
4. Matriculation number or admission certificate from the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
All documents must be submitted as originals and copies!
What you should bear in mind:
- Find out in advance whether an account is free of charge for your Buddy and pass this information on to them.
- Your Buddy must appear in person at the bank
- Make an appointment
- The service is usually in German
It takes about two to three weeks before your Buddy can use the account and the EC card. A deposit of at least €500.00 is recommended when opening the account in order to be able to pay the first rent and the health insurance contribution.
Important (!) In order to enrol at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences and to obtain a residence permit, your Buddy must provide proof of valid health insurance.
For students from EU countries:
EU countries usually have a social security agreement with Germany. It is therefore not necessary to take out additional health insurance.
It is sufficient to present the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and proof of current insurance status upon enrolment.
Students must register with a statutory health insurance company (AOK, DAK, etc.) before visiting a doctor. They will be given information on what to expect from the doctor or hospital. Then they will show their European Health Insurance Card to the doctor/hospital. The doctor will then settle the bill with the German health insurance company they have contacted.
For non-EU students:
Health insurance can be taken out with a statutory or private health insurance company.
Your Buddy has the option of taking out insurance locally. Travel insurance is therefore only recommended until the start of their studies (enrolment on 01 October or 01 April).
Important (!) Statutory Health Insurance:
- For better treatment in case of illness, we recommend that your Buddy has statutory health insurance.
- The insurance is valid for at least one semester and can be cancelled at the end of the semester.
Can my Buddy register with a statutory German health insurance company?
Every student enrolled at a state (technical) college or university in Germany is required by German law to have statutory health insurance (§ 5 Para. 1 No. 9 SGB V).
If your Buddy needs German health insurance, they can register with a German health insurance company.
They will need to bring the following documents with them:
1. passport
2. residence permit (non-EU citizens)
3. bank account
All documents must be submitted as originals and copies!
Important (!) In order to enrol at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences and to obtain a residence permit, your Buddy must provide proof of valid health insurance.
For students from EU countries:
EU countries usually have a social security agreement with Germany. It is therefore not necessary to take out additional health insurance.
It is sufficient to present the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and proof of current insurance status upon enrolment.
Students must register with a statutory health insurance company (AOK, DAK, etc.) before visiting a doctor. They will be given information on what to expect from the doctor or hospital. Then they will show their European Health Insurance Card to the doctor/hospital. The doctor will then settle the bill with the German health insurance company they have contacted.
For non-EU students:
Health insurance can be taken out with a statutory or private health insurance company.
Your Buddy has the option of taking out insurance locally. Travel insurance is therefore only recommended until the start of their studies (enrolment on 01 October or 01 April).
Important (!) Statutory Health Insurance:
- For better treatment in case of illness, we recommend that your Buddy has statutory health insurance.
- The insurance is valid for at least one semester and can be cancelled at the end of the semester.
Can my Buddy get German private health insurance?
If your Buddy decides in favour of private health insurance, you should definitely consider the following before concluding the contract:
- Students who choose this option should take out this insurance for the entire duration of their period of study in Germany.
- It must be checked and proven that all needs are covered (With statutory health insurance, students always have sufficient health insurance cover).
- An ‘exemption from compulsory health insurance’ must be applied for. This must be submitted upon enrolment at the university.
- Statutory health insurance companies can issue such a certificate of exemption but only within a period of 3 months after arrival in Germany.
- ATTENTION (!) Once they have been exempted, they can no longer switch to statutory health insurance during their entire period of study in Germany.
- Privately insured persons usually have to pay every doctor's or hospital bill themselves first, then apply for a refund from the private insurance company.
Does my Buddy have to pay a semester fee?
Your Buddy also has the obligation to pay the semester fee, if this is not done on time, a reminder fee will follow and then de-registration.
The semester fee will be transferred from your Buddy's bank account to the following Anhalt University of Applied Sciences account:
Receiver: Hochschule Anhalt
Bank: Deutsche Bundesbank
IBAN: DE35 8100 0000 0081 0015 39
BIC: MARKDEF1810
The purpose of use must be filled in as follows:
- Five-digit applicant number
- Surname
- First name
- Example: xxxxx, surname, first name
Cash payment is not possible.
Important (!) The semester fee consists of the contribution for the Studentenwerk Halle (€ 90.00) and the student body fee (€ 6.00) (as of 2025). The Deutschlandticket has been introduced at the Dessau and Köthen campuses. This increases the semester fee by € 176.40, i.e. the total fee to be transferred is € 272.40.
In addition to the semester contribution, there are additional contributions (fees) for specific degree programmes.
If additional fees are incurred by students, these must be transferred together with the semester fee.
Example: Fees + semester contribution
Important (!) A bank transfer can take up to 3 days. The enrolment will only be processed once the transfer amount has been credited to the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences account.
How does my Buddy receive their enrolment certificate and student ID?
Enrolment takes place at your local Student Service Centre (SSC). Here, your Buddy will receive their enrolment certificate and student ID card if they bring the following documents with them:
1. Personal letter of admission
2. Copy of a valid passport / EU national identity card
3. Proof of student health insurance valid in Germany
4. Receipt / proof of payment of the semester fee
5. Non-EU students: Residence permit (can be submitted later)
6. Passport photo for the student ID card
7. Notification of BAföG funding number, if applicable
All documents must be submitted as originals and copies!
How does my Buddy obtain a residence permit?
Every international student who comes to Germany must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners' Registration Office.
Important (!) Your Buddy must submit the application for a residence permit 6-8 weeks before the entry visa or residence permit expires.
For the Bernburg location, the application is available at the responsible Immigration Office.
The processing time is at least 4 weeks.
Here your Buddy will receive all the necessary information and a list of documents that they must present at the immigration office.
- As the required documents often change, please enquire directly at the Foreigners' Registration Office as to which documents and proofs your Buddy must present.
- The fees for issuing a residence permit valid for one year are approximately €100.00.
- If they receive a scholarship from German public funds (e.g. DAAD or a college/university), they do not have to pay any fees. (Scholarships must be proven).
- German is the official language at the Immigration Office, so we kindly ask you to accompany your Buddy to these visits to the authorities and to support them in communicating with the authorities.
Required documents:
- Formal application (to be obtained directly from the Foreigners' Registration Office or via the International Office)
- Confirmation of registration from the Residents' Registration Office
- Current and valid passport
- Health insurance certificate with a list of contributions (statutory health insurance or private health insurance with a notice of exemption from statutory health insurance)
- Certificate of enrolment
- Proof of financing - blocked account/declaration of commitment (for more information, contact the Immigration Office)
- One biometric passport photo
- Certificate of residence confirmed by the landlord (for students who live in a hall of residence, this will be provided by the student services organisation)
All documents must be submitted as originals and copies!
Fees
The fee for a residence permit valid for one year is €100.00. If your Buddy receives a scholarship from German public funds (e.g. DAAD or a college/university), they do not have to pay any fees, but proof of the scholarship received must be provided.
Note on freedom of movement/EU citizens
The Freedom of Movement Act/EU regulates the entry and residence of nationals of other member states of the European Union and their family members (§ 1 FreizügG/EU). In principle, EU citizens are entitled to freedom of movement if certain conditions are met, such as seeking employment, vocational training or self-employment.
EU students:
If students stay in Germany for longer than 3 months and study here, they must register their place of residence with the local Residents' Registration Office. They will then receive a letter from the Immigration Office. Within 3 months of entering the country, they must prove that their entry and residence were legal (so that they can claim the right to freedom of movement). To do this, you must submit the following documents (also by post / e-mail / fax):
- Current and valid passport/ID card
- Certificate of enrolment from Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
- Proof of financial means (bank statement proving that you have sufficient funds to live in Germany)
- Proof of existing health insurance cover (e.g. European Health Insurance Card)
Proof of financial means:
Your Buddy must provide proof of funds of at least €992.00 for each month of their stay in Germany. A bank statement is sufficient proof. A scholarship or a declaration of commitment (only a form from the foreigners authority) is also valid.
How does my Buddy get their student e-mail account?
To use the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences e-mail account, your Buddy will always need their login details, which they received when they enrolled.
Every student enrolled at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences has their own e-mail account. The e-mail address has the following structure:
vorname.nachname@student.hs-anhalt.de
Access data
When enrolling at the Department of Student Affairs, all students received an ‘Important Information’ sheet. There they will find their user name and password for logging in to their university e-mail account.
Can my Buddy use the university sports facilities?
As a student at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, your Buddy can use the university's sports facilities. The University Sports Department offers a wide range of courses for various sports. There are usage and course schedules for the individual sports facilities, which are adapted for the respective semester and the lecture-free period.
The current plans and course programmes can be viewed on the University Sports website. Please note that places for individual sports courses are limited if your Buddy would like to take part in a course.
Can my Buddy study one semester longer?
Yes, your Buddy can add an extra semester. All students must re-register in good time for each new semester if they wish to continue their studies at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.
Important (!) It is important that your Buddy re-registers within the deadline. To do this, the relevant semester fee must be paid into the university's re-registration account.
Dates
Winter semester: Payment of the semester fee and any fees from 15 August to 15 September. If this deadline is missed, payment can still be made by 30 September with a €15.00 reminder fee.
Summer semester: Payment of the semester fee and any fees from 15 January to 15 February. If this deadline is missed, payment can still be made by 31 February with a €15.00 reminder fee. As soon as the money has been received, students will receive a new enrolment certificate for the coming semester. This can be downloaded from the HISQIS portal and printed out approx. 1 week after receipt of the money. When transferring the money, the matriculation number must be entered left-aligned and without spaces as the reason for payment.
Example for the purpose of use: xxxxxxx_RM20151_Name, first name xxxxxxx = matriculation number RM = re-registration 2015 = current year, then please select: 2 = for winter semester 1 = for summer semester surname, first name
As soon as students have re-registered, they can have their student ID card printed with the new semester date at the machine.
Extension of the residence permit
An extension of the residence permit is possible at any time.
Important (!) If your Buddy wants to extend their stay in Germany, their residence permit must also be extended. As an international student, they are obliged to make an appointment with the Foreigners' Registration Office to extend their residence permit at least 8 weeks before their stay expires.
Documents that must be presented:
1. Application for extension of a residence permit (application form via the Foreigners' Registration Office or via the International Office)
2. Current, biometric photo
3. Current and valid passport
4. Current certificate of enrolment from Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
5. Proof of existing health insurance cover
6. Proof that the student has sufficient funds to live in Germany (€ 992.00 per month of stay)
7. Confirmation of the landlord's fee (100,00 €)
All documents must be submitted as originals and copies!
What does my Buddy have to do when they finish their studies?
When your Buddy has finished their studies, they must personally deregister at the Residents' Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) and the Foreigners' Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde).
Documents to be submitted:
- Exmatriculation certificate from Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
- Flight ticket from Germany to home country/other country
- Current and valid passport
- Deregistration certificate from the Residents' Registration Office
All documents must be submitted as originals and as copies!
Notes (!) Your Buddy will then receive from the Foreigners' Registration Office:
- A border crossing certificate (= they are allowed to leave Germany)
- A certificate for the bank to unblock the account so that the money can be used.
Well, you've done it! Your Buddy has arrived, enrolled, opened a bank account and is waiting for their residence permit. Your studies have started and you have gained a lot of new experiences and knowledge. Thank you for your support. Because of you, your Buddy has already overcome and mastered the first obstacles in Germany.
