If you paid for the semesterticket, you will receive it on the first orientation day. The semester ticket for the winter term is valid from 1 October to 31 March, the one for the summer term from 1 April to 30 September. These dates cannot be changed or adapted to your individual period of stay.

To cover public transport for the time before 1 October or 1 April, you need to buy regular public transport tickets at the BVG or the S-Bahn. They offer single, day, week or monthly tickets for the tariff zones A, B and C. Should you arrive in Berlin more than two weeks before 1 October or 1 April (e.g for the German intensive course), we recommend buying a monthly ticket.

More details about the semester ticket during summer term 2020

More about public transport

Current information about the Bürgeramt registrations (last updated: 6 April 2020): Due to the Corona virus crisis, all Bürgerämter are closed to the public and thus you currently cannot register your address at a Bürgeramt. Should they open to the public at a later point, you will be able to register then and there won't be any problems if you are behind the usual deadline to register (which is two weeks after moving into your apartment).

In very urgent cases or emergencies concerning your registration, you can contact the Bürgerämter via the general hotline +49 30 115 to ask for an appointment. However, it is up to the staff at the Bürgeramt to decide if you case is an emergency or not.

After you have moved into your dorm or flat, you are required to register your address at a so-called Bürgeramt, usually within two weeks. When doing so, you will receive a confirmation of registration called Anmeldebestätigung. You need this document to open a bank account, apply for a residence permit or to use public services of the city of Berlin, so you should always carry a copy of it with you.

Each district of Berlin has three to four Bürgerämter, but you can go to anyone in Berlin, regardless of where you live. The Bürgeramt Helle Mitte is in walking distance from the university building. Since the Bürgerämter are usually quite busy, you should be prepared for some waiting hours. You can avoid waiting hours by making an appointment. You can either book an appointment online, by calling the telephone number +49 30 115 or you can use our registration service during the orientation days (see below).

If you don't speak German well, it is very helpful to have a German native speaker - for example your buddy - joining you at the Bürgeramt.

The following documents are required for the registration:

• Registration form
• Confirmation of your move-in, signed by your landlord / landlady or owner of the apartment
• Valid passport or ID card

If you're not sure how to fill out the forms, you can use our "How to complete the Bürgeramt-Anmeldung" instructions.

Summer term 2020 students: Thanks to a cooperation with the Bürgeramt Helle Mitte, we can do a collective registration for exchange students. You will fill out the forms together with us during the orientation days. Within 1–2 weeks (but by 14th of April 2020 at the latest), you can submit the confirmation of your move-in as well as a copy of your ID or passport to us. We'll collect the papers, hand them to the Bürgeramt and after 5–7 days, you can pick up your registration from our office.

All people who are older than 18 years and who are registered in Germany (see above), are required to pay a mandatory broadcasting license fee ("Rundfunkbeitrag") of currently 17.50 EUR per month - no matter where you're from or how long you'll stay in Germany.  

After your registration with the Bürgeramt, you'll receive an automatic letter with the details of how to register and pay the fee. The rule "one apartment - one fee" applies so if you live in a share flat, you can also share the fees with your flat mates. If you're not sure how to register and pay the broadcasting licence fee, feel free to check our guide on how to register for the Rundfunkbeitrag.

You can find further information in German at rundfunkbeitrag.de, the website also provides details in different languages (e.g. English, Spanish, Turkish).

When you leave Berlin at the end of your Semester, you then also need to de-register from the broadcasting licence fee. You can do that on the website of the Rundfunkgebühr.

Current information about the residence permit (last updated: 6 April 2020): Due to the Corona virus crisis, the "Landesamt für Einwanderung" (i.e. the Berlin immigration office) is currently closed to the regular public. In case of an emergency, you can reach their staff at their location at Friedrich-Krause-Ufer in room 80 (house A), 13353 Berlin. Beforehand, make sure to check the website of the Berlin immigration office for current information.

Students from Switzerland are currently exempt from having to apply for a residence permit.

Students from other non-EU countries should first check until when their current visa is valid and contact us via e-mail for individual questions about their visa / residence permit.

Students who are NOT citizens of EU member states or of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein need to apply for a residence permit at the Landesamt für Einwanderung (Berlin Immigration Office) within 90 days after arrival or before their entry visa has expired.

The Landesamt für Einwanderung is exceptionally busy so we strongly recommend making an online appointment1–2 months even before you arrive in Berlin. If necessary, you can use our step-by-step instructions about how to book an online appointment.

If you don't speak German well, it is very helpful to have a German native speaker - for example your buddy - joining you at the Landesamt für Einwanderung.

Please take the following documents with you:

• Completed form “Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels"
• Valid passport
• Anmeldebestätigung (= confirmation of registration at the Bürgeramt, see above)
• Health insurance policy that is valid for the entire period you wish to stay in Germany (see health insurance)
• Proof of sufficient financial funds: You need to proove that you have a minimum of 828 EUR per month for the duration of your stay in Germany. This may be proven by scholarship letters, a notarized declaration of your parents or by a so-called blocked bank account (German: "Sperrkonto").
• One passport-sized biometric photo
• ASH Berlin student ID
• 29–110 EUR for administrative fees (depending on your citizenship and length of your stay)

You can find more information about the residence permit for students on the homepage of the Landesamt für Einwanderung Berlin.

Students with Swiss nationality can find specific information about their type of residence permit on the homepage of the Landesamt für Einwanderung Berlin

If you need assistance with filling out the necessary form or with making an online appointment, please contact the International Office for support.

During your stay in Berlin, you may need to open a German bank account, not just to pay rent, but also because your bank at home may charge extra fees for withdrawing cash and/or for every international money transfer you do.

Student bank accounts are free of charge and easy to set up. The bank will probably require the following documents to open an account:

• passport or ID card
• ASH Berlin student ID
• confirmation of registration at the Bürgeramt (see above)
• if applicable, your residence permit (see above)

Student bank accounts do not always include a free debit or credit card. Please enquire with the bank beforehand.