Getting along in Berlin
This page might help you in getting along in your new city. Here we offer links to a train schedule, several city guides and give an approximate overview of the living costs in Germany's capital.
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Train Schedule | Fahrplanauskunft
www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin
Please note, your green student ID is your semester ticket. Carry it and your ID (including photo) always with you. Also, do not laminate it...
City Guides
There are several city guides, e.g.:
Exberliner is a magazine for english-speaking people in Berlin. You can get it for free in cinemas, or buy it around. It is perfect for knowing what is on around the city, and to dive a bit into the mood of what it is like to ...be a Berliner.. www.exberliner.de
Approximate living costs in Berlin
In comparison to other German and European cities, the cost of living in Berlin is relatively cheap. How much money you need depends largely on your personal lifestyle. These numbers are a rough approximation (Last updated: 14.09.10). Please note that there are no tuition fees for the program. Participants must, however, pay for a semester fee of roughly 250€ which includes an unlimited metro pass for all the public transportation offered in Berlin. Besides this fee, students are expected to be able to support themselves in terms of accommodation and other living expenses.
| Item | Monthly Expenses |
|
Rent for student dormitories (Studentenwohnheim) Please register for the student dormitories during the online application process. Note that the dormitories are not located in the city center. You will also have to pay a deposit for the apartment. |
195 - 400 EUR |
|
Rent for private housing (e.g. shared flat) This is a rough approximation and may vary depending on the type of housing you choose. |
250 - 450 EUR |
| Item | Term Expenses |
| University Registration Fees | ca. 200 EUR |
| Text Books | 150 - 200 EUR |
| Some examples | Costs |
| Cinema | 7.50 EUR (Tuesdays less) |
| Food at the university cafeteria per meal | 2.70 EUR |
| Food at a restaurant | 6.00 - 12 EUR |
|
Beer at a Kneipe |
2.50 - 3.50 EUR |
Working as a student in Berlin
Paid employment of students is subject to strict regulations because it must not impair studies. Whether and how long international students are permitted to be employed in Germany depends on the type of residence permit the individual student holds (see entry in passport).
Generally, international students are not allowed to be self-employed. This restriction does, however, not apply to students from 'old' EU member states. Students from the 'old' EU countries, or from Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland, on equal footing with German students, are allowed to take up student-type part-time or temporary jobs with no further restrictions. Yet studying must be the main emphasis. That is why they may work only for a maximum of 80 hours per month. Students from the 'new' EU member states, which joined the community in May 2004, and all other international students are required to observe certain restrictions. They may work for a maximum of 90 'full' days (8 hours per day), or 180 'half' days (4 hours per day) in one year. Part-time employment of this kind does not require a work permit.
Internships for which payment is received are deemed to be student-type jobs and will be part of the 90 full or 180 half day total.
Student assistants (studentische Hilfskräfte) at university are considered to be of a special status. Since what they do in their jobs is closely linked to academic work the time restrictions mentioned above do not apply. Contracts allowing for paid work up to 80 hours per month can be concluded.
Students in student-type part-time employment are required to apply for an income tax card (Lohnsteuerkarte) to be obtained at the local Tax Office (Finanzamt).
