Preparing for travel
There are many things to take care of if you intend to leave your home country to work abroad. Here is a check list and basic information that we hope you will find useful.
Please plan your arrival in Hamburg between a Monday and Friday during regular office hours (approx. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.). This is necessary in order to ensure that you get the keys to your rented accommodation upon your arrival.
For general information on Germany, please refer to the IO website Living in Germany.
Please prepare the following items to bring with you when entering Germany (note also the requirements for any family members, if applicable):
- valid passport. If necessary for your nationality, a visa for the purpose of working, NO tourist visa
- certification of your invitation to work at the Max Planck Institute (invitation letter)
- proof of sufficient funds (the invitation letter from MPI-M letter is sufficient proof. An original statement from your bank or a confirmation from student's parents are another option). If you are accompanied by family members, they need to be included in the visa application letter.
- proof of a valid health insurance that covers you in Germany from the very moment of your arrival at the first German airport or railway station that you reach. See the details under Insurance
- sufficent cash in Euro to get you through the first days in Hamburg
- for EU Nationals: International health insurance forms E 128 or E 111 (if still available in your home country) or any other form of proof of health insurance or a European health insurance card. Most European countries have bilateral agreements about the mutual recognition of national health insurances. Check this in your home country, please.
- for persons requiring visa: 2 passport sized biometric photos (facing with your front, no smile – sic - made at a photo machine). Of course you can have them made in Germany.
- incase you are accompanied by your family, the above items apply also to them, apart from item No. 2 of this list.
- Please note the information below regarding entering Germany:
- Entering German by plane at a German airport: everyone passes through immigration control. There is one queue or line for European Union Nationals (EU) and a second queue for everyone else.
- Entering the country by train or car: passport and luggage checks will depend on the country from where you enter Germany. Ask the International Office if you are unsure about entry regulations.
- Your hand baggage should include enough personal articles to last for your first few nights spent in Germany (including a warm jacket, personal medicines, etc). This is in case your luggage is delayed or lost in transit. Please check the new flight security regulations for airline passenger's baggage (
baggage regulations) at the Lufthansa website - Make sure that your luggage is clearly labelled in German or English