Erasmus / Study Abroad Erasmus / Study Abroad

The German Ministry for Education and Science has estimated that a student needs about 992€ per month to cover their expenses:

The semester contribution is NOT a tuition fee. It must be paid by all students and includes small contributions to the Students' Union and the Students' Welfare Fund. Most importantly, this contribution provides you with a semester ticket which allows you unlimited travel on the public transport system (bus, underground trains U-Bahn & S-Bahn, regional trains) accross Germany for the whole semester. The semester contribution for exchnage students is currently 329€.

The health insurance laws for students in Hamburg are very strict and we cannot enrol students without a proper health insurance. The general rule is: Students who do not have a European/Global Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC) have to register for a German public health insurance. There is an exception only for studnets from Turkey with a AT11 form, or students that are over 30-years old.

International guest students from EU countries, Norway, Switzerland and UK are covered by their home health insurance. All you need to bring with you is the European /Global Union Health Insurance Card. You can get these directly from your health insurance company.

Students from Turkey can get a AT11 from their home health insurance company, which they must present to HAW Hamburg to receive a health insurance waiver.

Students from outside the EU:

- If you are under the age of 30 you are required by German law to register for German national health insurance. This costs approx. €145 per month and is mandatory for enrolment at a German university. Students can register before they get to Hamburg as part of the HAW Hamburg online application proccess. The process will be completed once you get to Hamburg. 

- If you are over the age of 30 you can register with a private health insurance company.

Please check if you need a special document to enter Germany and follow the regulations of the German foreign ministry.

A. International students from EU countries, the European Economic Area and Switzerland

International students from European Union countries, the EEA and Switzerland do not need a visa to enter Germany. You need only complete 'Arrival Step 1' (check the next topic).

B. International students from visa-waiver countries

International students from visa waiver countries (e.g. Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Israel, Japan,  Mexico, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, USA) can enter Germany for study purposes without a visa. During the first 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit. You must complete “Arrival Step 1” and “Arrival Step 2” (see below). The 90-day period begins upon entry into Germany or the Schengen area of the European Union (not the beginning of the semester).

NOTE: Due to long processing times at the Hamburg Welcome Centre (HWC), we recommend that you apply for a student visa in your home country. You can find the necessary information here: Auswärtiges Amt. Then you can avoid the hassle of "Arrival Step 2" when you get to Germany.

Note: At the end of 2026 the EU is planning to introduce the ETIAS, which will be required by all people entering from visa-waiver countries.

C. International students from other countries

International students from other countries (e.g. Bolivia, China, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) need a visa to enter Germany. Please do not enter the country with a tourist visa. A tourist visa cannot be converted into a study visa in Germany. You will need a visa for study purposes [Visum zu Studienzwecken].

When you apply for the visa for study purposes, you must provide proof of of your finances (€992/month, a total of €5,952/semester). Please apply early for your visa as this process can often take eight weeks or more. More information you will find here: Auswärtiges Amt

Studnets are obliged to register their address with the German authorities within two-weeks of moving-in. Make an appointment at a Hamburg Service Center (ask your Buddy for help). After the registration you will recieve your confirmation of registration (Meldebestätigung), which is necessary for "Arrival Step 2". Don't forget to bring these documents to your registration appointment:

• Passport / National ID
• Confirmation by your landlord (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
• Registration fee of €13

Students from visa-waiver countries must also apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) within 90 days of arriving in Germany (or EU Schengen Zone) if they don't have a visa. Please register online at Hamburg Welcome Center as soon as you have all of the documents listed below.

To apply for a residence permit you will need:

• online Registration
• your passport
• a biometric photo not older than six months
• a Meldebestätigung (from Step 1)
• proof of health insurance
• proof of enrolment as a student (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung – print off from myHAW account)
• proof of finances (bank statement or letter in euros – min. of €992/month for the semester
• administration fee for eAT: up to €110

HAW Hamburg is unfortunately unable to offer scholarships or funding to international guest students. Here are some ways of funding your study abroad semester:

1. EU students from partner universities can receive funding through the Erasmus Programme. Please speak to your International Office at your home university.

2. US students can apply for a deferment of their loan payments in the United States when studying abroad. HAW Hamburg is recognised by the US Department of Education. Our institution code is 02303000. 

You can also apply for the following scholarship options:

a) Gilman-DAAD Germany scholarship

b) UAS7 Travel Stipends (currently not available)
HAW Hamburg is a member of the UAS7 consortium and offers UAS7 Travel Stipends of 1,000 Euro to US students to study in Germany. In order to be considered for a travel stipend you need to apply to UAS7 for either the Study & Internship Program (SIP) or the Study Program (SP), depending on what you want to do at the HAW Hamburg.

Application deadlines:
Winter semester (Oct.–March): 15 February (SIP and SP)
Summer semester (April–Sept.): 1 October (SP only)

3. Canadian students: HAW Hamburg participates in the British Columbia Student Assistance Program. Our institution code is QUXP. More information on the Student Aid BC website.

4. Australian students can often get a travel stipend or scholarship for study abroad from the International Office at their home university. In addition, the Australian Government offers loans of AUD 5,800 under the programme OS-HELP.