In order to have a smooth start and to be able to concentrate on your studies from the very first day on, you had better look for an accommodation in advance. You can do that while being still in your country of residence or you might want to come a few weeks before the start of the semester and stay in a hostel while searching for a place to life.
 
As a student in Bremerhaven, you have different options of accommodation.
For example, you can rent a room in a dormitory for students. These rooms are usually furnished and close to the University. The student dormitories in Bremen and Bremerhaven are organized by the “Studierendenwerk Bremen”. In order to rent a room, you need to apply for it by using this online form.

Another option is to rent a room in a shared apartment (Wohngemeinschaft/ WG) where you live together with other students in an ordinary apartment and share the costs. This is very popular with local and international students, as you get the opportunity to get to know local habits and culture as well as being part of the local students’ scene.
AStA der Hochschule Bremerhaven
WG-gesucht (shared apartments)
 

As soon as you live in Germany, you must register at the Residents' Registration Office. You can apply for this within the first 14 days at the registration office and will then receive a registration confirmation.
You will need the following documents for this:

- Valid identity card/passport
- form: Registration at the Meldebehöre
- Tenancy agreement: Either you bring your tenancy agreement with you or you have a so-called housing provider certificate („Wohnungsgeberbestätigung“) signed by the landlord before you go to the Bürgeramt. This means that you can only register officially if you have a permanent accommodation (a room in a student dormitory or a shared apartment or your own apartment). If you are a subtenant, the main tenant of the apartment must sign the form.

More information

As your entry visa is only valid for 90 days, it must be extended by a residence permit within the first three months of residence in Germany at the city council in Bremerhaven.
In order to apply for an appointment, send the application form (or the renewal form) together with a passport photograph of yourself to this e-mail address: Auslaenderbehoerde@magistrat.bremerhaven.de
 
Required documents (originals and copies):
•             ID card or passport
•             Biometric passport-sized photo
•             Proof of health insurance
•             Proof of enrollment as a student (“Studienbescheinigung”)
•             Current statement of the bank account at a German bank
•             Confirmation of the police registration
•             Fee
•             Assessment or Transcript of the completed studies in case of renewal

Fee: up to 110,00 €
Please make copies of all documents for your records!

More information

It is mandatory for all students of German universities to have a valid health insurance (Krankenversicherung) that offers unlimited coverage of all treatments during their whole stay. The conditions for EU-nationals and non-EU-nationals differ in the following ways: 
 
EU-nationals: 
Studies: the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is accepted.
Internship during your Studies: as long as you are not gettig paid for the internship, your EHIC is providing sufficient coverage, but if you are receiving a monetary compensation for your work, a German health insurance becomes mandatory.
 
Non-EU-nationals:
A German statutory health insurance is required in case of both, studies and internships. It will cost around 110 Euro per month. You can contact the insurance companies listed below for further information. 
 
Additional information
Foreign private travel health insurances often do not offer an unlimited coverage or validity. In this case, students are required to additionally contract a German statutory health insurance.
Students over 30 years of age cannot take out a statutory health insurance. They obligatorily have to contract a private insurance that might charge additionally for accompanying family members.
Please also take into account that if your health insurance does not start with the date of your arrival, you should subscribe to an additional private travelling insurance in the meantime.
 

Students who move to Bremerhaven/Bremen for the first time as part of their studies can apply for the so-called welcome money. Please note that you must be resident in Bremen/Bremerhaven for at least 12 months in order to be eligible for the 150 € grant.
The application is made via the AStA