Before Your Stay

On the subject of entry and residence in Germany, different rules apply to citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), as well as Switzerland on the one hand and citizens of so-called third countries on the other hand. What you need to know can be found on the EURAXESS web page. more

Goods can be moved freely within the EU. If you move from a non-EU or non-EEA country, European customs law provides for the exemption of import duties for goods generally referred to as 'household effects' under certain conditions. One of the prerequisites for this is the relocation of the place of residence to Germany. More information about the exact regulations can be found on the German customs web page.  more

There are various organizations in Germany that fund research projects and individual researchers, among them the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. more

There are different regulations pertaining to the import of pets from abroad with respect to EU and non-EU countries. Please check before arrival which regulations apply to your pet.  more

If your stay longer than one year in Germany and if you have brought your own car with you, you must register it at the vehicle registration office. Holders of a foreign driver's license from an EU member state or EEA state may drive motor vehicles in Germany to the extent of their entitlement. Valid driver's licenses from countries which do not belong to the EU or the EEA must always be converted into a German driver's license for longer stays in Germany. more

Germany has a well-developed public transport system, including an express and a regional train system. For useful tips & tricks check out this web page. more

You obviously cannot prepare for everything you may encounter in Germany, but the following check list might help you to be ready for most things. more

On this web page you find a comprehensive overview of what you need to know about health insurance in Germany. more

Your department secretary and the Welcome Centre for the Göttingen Campus will be happy to help you find a place to live. Please let them know your requirements as soon as possible and before your arrival in Göttingen. In some cases, it may be possible to arrange a place at our institute's on-site guesthouse. more

If you bring your children with you and they stay here for a longer time, you may have to find a kindergarten place or an appropriate school near your place of residence at the beginning of your stay. On the following web pages we want to provide an overview of the possibilities in Göttingen regarding day care and schools. Furthermore, to facilitate the compatibility of career and children, all official seminars and lectures at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences start no later than 2 pm. more