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STUDENTS

International students: How to apply for new interest-free loans in Germany

The coronavirus pandemic has hit many workers hard, and especially students, many of whom rely on part-time jobs alongside their studies. But now extra help is on the way.

International students: How to apply for new interest-free loans in Germany
Students taking a break between classes at the University of Tübingen. Photo: DPA

As of June 1st, all foreign students within Germany have been able to apply for financial aid to help facilitate their studies. 

The application form for the interest-free loan of up to €650 per month has been available since May 8th for German students, whereas for Germany’s nearly 400,000 international students it opened at the beginning of June. 

Students can receive the loan – which is issued in payments of at least €100 per month – through an online application available on the website of state bank KfW

Students can then receive the loan for up to 14 semesters, or up to 54,600. 

READ ALSO: 10 words that perfectly sum up being a student in Germany

Who’s eligible for the loans?

According to Germany’s Federal Education Ministry, all students between the ages of 18 and 44 who are enrolled at state-recognised institutions of higher education in Germany are eligible for the loan if: 

  • They are German citizens and registered as living in Germany
  • Dependents of German citizens also living in Germany
  • EU citizens registered and residing in Germany for at least three years (or their dependents)
  • Non-nationals who are registered in Germany and obtained their university entrance qualifications here.
  • All foreign-nationals registered as living in Germany (an exception made during the corona pandemic)
  • The loans are for those currently studying for their bachelor’s, master's, doctoral and postdoctoral studies. The length of the grant also depends on the age of the student.

According to Education Ministry estimates, the loans are set to reach a total amount of up to €1 billion.

Working while studying

Around two-thirds of students in Germany work while studying, according to Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczek. 

That number is even higher for international students, of which around three-quarters are dependent on part-time jobs. 

According to a poll conducted by educational website Studying-in-Germany.org, 90 percent of international students in Germany say they’ve been affected during the corona crisis. 

“Especially after the lockdown, the majority of students lost their jobs and so this led to financial uncertainty for German foreign students,” Njomza Zeqiri, a higher education expert, told The Local.

Rules for working while studying

Students coming from outside of EU member states are permitted to work part-time, either 240 half days or 120 full days, according to Zeqiri.

Self-employment, however, can be permitted only upon request and in individual cases, based on what’s approved by the foreigner’s office (or Ausländerbehörde). 

If a student is in a language or preparatory course, the rules are more strict, said Zeqiri.

They are only allowed work during lecture-free periods, and only if they obtain permission from both the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) and the Ausländerbehörde.

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STUDYING IN GERMANY

What’s it like to study abroad in Berlin?

Picking the right city to study abroad in Germany can be a tricky decision, and there are numerous factors to consider. Freya Jones shares her experience of doing a year abroad in the capital and explains why Berlin could also be the right choice for you.

What's it like to study abroad in Berlin?

Five months after moving to Berlin for my year abroad (a compulsory part of my German degree from the UK) the German capital is certainly a destination I’d recommend. 

Although it’s less “traditionally German” than many other corners of the country, and simultaneously more comparable to the blanket big city experience worldwide, Berlin’s unique history and culture make it a great place to explore – and unsurprisingly very popular with international students. 

Like all capitals, it has its pros and cons, so here’s what stood out to me during my experience so far.

Arrival

You’ve probably heard horror stories about the Berlin housing market, and from experience I can say they’re largely true. Finding an apartment here before moving to the city is notoriously difficult, and more expensive than in other parts of Germany. 

What you should bear in mind, however, is that unlike other German cities, Berlin doesn’t impose fines if you’re unable to secure a registration appointment within two weeks of arrival (three months if you already have a visa). This makes searching for a good WG, Studentenwerk, or other rental far easier post-arrival if your first stop is a homestay or somewhere else temporary. 

Blocks of rental flats in Berlin.

Blocks of rental flats in Berlin. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Monika Skolimowska

Despite a recent wave of strikes and construction work, transport links in Berlin are still very strong. If you’re enrolled as a student during your year abroad, you’ll be entitled to a discounted pass for city transport, including a number of tram, bus and train options that run all the way to the city’s outskirts and even into Brandenburg (Zone C).

What’s more, direct trains from Berlin’s BER Airport make it more accessible than more remote locations in Germany when you arrive equipped with a year’s worth of luggage.

English

My German tutors in the UK were slightly concerned when I chose Berlin, because they didn’t think I’d have much opportunity to practise my German. Looking back, this worry wasn’t without cause, and if your primary goal is German language improvement, it may be worth considering somewhere more rural or less international. 

Unlike small towns I’ve visited elsewhere in Germany, where many people speak little to no English, it’s everywhere in Berlin. Because the international population is so large, new friends from any country are likely to speak it by default.

However, this can obviously be mitigated by signing up for German-only university classes, as I’ve done as an exchange student at Humboldt University, or finding a German language job. And on the flip side, if you’re here to study a discipline other than German, the ubiquity of English in Berlin has you covered.

READ ALSO: The top German cities for international students in 2024

Cultural Experiences

Unsurprisingly, Berlin offers no end of unique cultural experiences. For new arrivals, there’s plenty to fill your time with, and I’d really recommend “playing the tourist” for a couple of weeks while you settle in. 

Bucket-list locations include the National Gallery and museums on Museuminsel, the Berlin Wall memorial, the Brandenburg Gate, and the site of the Berlin airlift at Tempelhof. And beyond this, there’s never a shortage of things to do – walks around Tiergarten and the customary Sunday flea markets (Flohmarkt am Mauerpark being the most famous) are popular with visitors and locals alike.

A skateboarder performs tricks on Tempelhofer Feld

A skateboarder performs tricks on a former runway at Berlin’s Tempelhofer Feld, a popular meeting place in Berlin-Neukölln. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Christoph Soeder

Something I’ve also really enjoyed after being here for a while is noticing the small details which differentiate the former East and West Berlin sectors, such as different traffic lights and types of transport. While much of the architecture is admittedly stark, grey and not as pretty as other parts of Germany, the way in which present-day Berlin is a visible product of its recent history makes it a fascinating place to live.

READ ALSO: How do I get a student visa for Germany and what does it let me do?

Pros & Cons

Any culture shock inevitably comes with both positives and negatives, and these are a few which particularly struck me after moving to Berlin from the UK. 

Cons: many shops refuse to take card payment and only accept cash; all shops and supermarkets close on Sundays; there’s no guarantee of being let into a club or bar on a night out, and the traffic lights genuinely seem to conspire against drivers and pedestrians alike. (Also, the weather in winter really will destroy your soul, and this is a Brit talking…)

Pros: the quality of food is much better here than in the UK, and cheaper; the cost of alcohol is much lower; public transport is cheaper and more efficient than in London; work-life balance and mental wellbeing are taken very seriously; and finally, there’s a far less visible “class system” than in the UK, possibly due to the greater access and affordability of German universities.  (This is really nice, especially if you’re coming from a UK university where socio-economic prejudice is very common.)

READ ALSO: How to stay in Germany after graduating from a German university

Overall, Berlin has been a vibrant place to spend my exchange semester. Not only has it given me insights into the most significant shifts in recent German history, but it also offers the archetypal experience of living in a bustling, multicultural city. So while it’s distinctly different to anywhere else in Germany you might be considering, the variety of things to see and do in Berlin will keep you engaged for your full year abroad.

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