Welcome!
Every semester, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar welcomes numerous visiting faculty and researchers. The contributions of visiting faculty and researchers from abroad are an important enrichment of our teaching and research activities in line with our internationalisation strategy. We are happy to offer our support both in preparation for and throughout your stay.
Would you like to be our guest?
Guests must be invited to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar by a professor from one our four faculties–Architecture & Urbanism, Civil Engineering, Art & Design, Media. If you are interested in a teaching or research visit, be sure to first consult the respective department’s website to find out about the professors’ fields of expertise. Once you have found a professorship that suits your needs, contact the respective professor directly by e-mail or telephone.
We recommend that you inform yourself well in advance regarding partnership and mobility programmes as well as financing opportunities for your stay at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Researchers from our European partner universities can organise their visit through the Erasmus programme.
Please contact the International Office of your home university. Once the approximate time frame and itinerary of your stay has been determined, we will be pleased to offer you our assistance with further organisation of your visit.
Information on the preparation of your stay
Funding Possibilities
Visiting researchers have several opportunities for financing their visit to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s »International Cooperation Fund« can provide grants that finance up to 80% of the calculated costs for guest researchers’ visits to Weimar.
If your home country is a member of the Erasmus+ programme, your visit may be eligible for funding from your home university. A complete list of eligible partner countries can be found online. For additional information on applying, contact your university’s International Office or find out more online.
Entry Formalities
Contact the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country for information on applying for a visa. A complete overview for all countries can be found here.
The type of visa you need depends on the length and purpose of your visit. A Schengen Visa is typically required for stays of up to 90 days. For longer stays, you will need a National Visa.
Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland do not need a visa.
Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America can apply for a temporary residency permit after entering Germany. Other third country nationals (according to the European Commission) must apply for a visa before entering Germany.
Further information can be found on the Federal Foreign Office.
Important Documents
You are required to bring the important documents listed below for your visit to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar:
- A valid passport or ID
- Biometric passport photos
- Your credit/debit card
- Your vaccination certificate
- Documents on illnesses or medications (if applicable)
- Letter of invitation from the hosting faculty
- Proof of financing
- Visa (if applicable)
- Certified copies of qualification certificates (university entrance certificate, university transcripts, doctoral certificate, habilitation certificate) (if applicable)
The following documents are required if you are bringing your family with you:
- Valid passports or ID for your spouse and/or child(ren)
- Birth certificates for you, your spouse and/or child(ren)
- Marriage certificate
Depending on the country of issue, you may need to procure a certified translation or authentication of your documents. Be sure to inform yourself on this at the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
Health Insurance
General Information
Health insurance coverage is mandatory in Germany. It is required for obtaining a visa as well as an employment contract at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Whether your home country is part of the European Union (EU) will affect your health insurance coverage.
Further information on the German healthcare system can be found online.
Health Insurance for EU Citizens
EU citizens can apply for an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries at the same cost as people insured in the country you are visiting. This applies to the following services in Germany:
- Outpatient medical treatment, for example in doctors’ surgeries
- Dental care
- Medications and remedies or aids
- In-patient stays and treatment, for example in hospitals
- Medically necessary rehabilitation treatment
- Medical services for women during pregnancy and childbirth
Further information on EHIC benefits can be found online.
Health Insurance for Non-EU Citizens
If you are visiting from a third country (according to the EU Commission), you have two options: Your health insurance provider in your home country may cover medical services in Germany or you can take out supplementary insurance. You will need to a certificate providing proof of sufficient health insurance for the duration of your stay (»Bestätigung über einen ausreichenden Krankenversicherungsschutz«). This will exempt you from having to take out additional German health insurance. The certificate must be issued by a state health insurance provider in Germany. You can contact a German state health insurance provider via email to obtain the certificate.
The German health insurance providers require the following information in either GERMAN or ENGLISH:
- Name of the insured person
- Duration of coverage
- Coverage and services
- Insurance premiums
- Information on the validity of the insurance coverage in Germany / Europe
If this is not an option for you, you are required to take out insurance with a private health insurance provider in Germany. A list of insurance providers can be found here. Those insured through private insurance are required to pay for medical services themselves and are then reimbursed by the insurance company.
However, the following costs will not be covered:
- Pre-existing conditions that were known before entering German
- Pre-natal care and childbirth if the pregnancy began before entering Germany
- Dentures, including crowns and orthodontics
- Aids, glasses or contact lenses
- Physiotherapy
- Psychiatric therapy
- Preventative medical screenings
- Therapeutic cures (»Kuren«)
Insurance premiums can vary greatly between the individual providers and is often based on factors such as age, gender and health. The more benefits that are to be covered, the higher the premium. Be sure to compare the different offer and find out about health insurance before your visit.
Finding Accommodation
It is common for students and international guest researchers in Weimar to live in a shared flat (»Wohngemeinschaft« or »WG«). In a WG, everyone has their own room and there is a shared bathroom and kitchen. The cost of rent depends on the size of the room and the total rental cost of the flat. The rental prices for a room in a WG in Weimar are typically between €250 and €350 per month. Students who go on an exchange or are away for an internship often sublet their rooms to international students. Sublet rooms are often furnished, which is not usually the case for other WG rooms. The following websites may be useful for finding a WG room:
- Wg-Gesucht
- The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Message Board (»Pinnwand«)
- Housing Anywhere
- Studierendenwerk Thüringen’s Short Term Rentals
- Studierendenwerk Thüringen’s Private Accommodation Service
We recommend getting to know your flatmates beforehand by meeting them in person or online to make sure that your lifestyles are compatible and that you can agree upon rules set together (cleaning schedule, quite times). It is essential that all flatmates feel safe and comfortable. If you ever feel uncomfortable, it is important that you communicate openly. Be sure to consider the following points before signing a rental contract:
- Is the rental contract temporary or indefinite?
- What are the terms of notice?
- Are there additional costs for water, gas, heating and electricity? Or are these included in the rent?
- Is the room furnished or unfurnished?
- Is there internet access (WiFi)? How much does internet access cost?
- Is the »Rundfunkbeitrag« (broadcasting licence fee) included in the rent?
Be sure to check all offers carefully and avoid any offers that seem dubious or if you feel uncomfortable communicating with the property owner.
| Note |
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| You often have to pay a deposit for a tenancy agreement. You will get this money back after you move out. The amount of the deposit varies from offer to offer. |
International Guest House
The Internationale Begegnungszentrum »Harry Graf Kessler« (IBZ) is the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s international guest house, where international guests, families, guest researchers, artists, designers and musicians who are staying in Weimar for a short time can rent a flat.
Find out more about the guest house, rental prerequisites and location here.
Childcare and School
General information
When you travel to Germany with your children, you have several options for having your children looked after. In Germany, there is a well-developed network of various forms of care with different educational concepts that promote the physical, social and emotional development of children. In Germany, school attendance is compulsory for children over the age of 6. If your school-age children accompany you to Germany, they must attend school for the duration of your stay.
| Please note! |
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| There are many different kindergartens and schools in Weimar. However, the prices and the availability of sufficient places in the individual facilities vary greatly. Therefore, make sure you find a place for your child(ren) as early as possible! |
For more information on childcare and the school system in Germany, visit the Make it in Germany.
Children aged 0 to 3 years
Children aged 0 to 3 years can attend a day nursery or a day care centre. Here, care is taken to ensure that the children are individually looked after in small groups according to their age. The care can be for the whole day or for a few hours. Here you can find a list of all kindergartens and day care centres in Weimar.
The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar also offers its own flexible childcare within the framework of the »Bauhäuschen«. Students and employees can leave their children in care there for a maximum of ten hours a week or four hours a day. The Studierendenwerk Thüringen also runs two day-care centres in Weimar, whose services are primarily aimed at members of the university.
Children aged 3 to 7 years
Children between the ages of 3 and 7 attend the kindergarten. Here they are cared for in larger groups and can usually be looked after from morning to afternoon. Through games, experiments and excursions, the children's curiosity is encouraged and they are prepared for school. Here you can find a list of all kindergartens.
The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar also offers its own flexible childcare as part of the »Bauhäuschen«. Students and employees can leave their children in care there for a maximum of ten hours a week or four hours a day. The Studierendenwerk Thüringen also runs two day-care centres in Weimar, whose services are primarily aimed at members of the university.
Children from age 6
In Germany, school attendance is compulsory for children from the age of 6. The school system and school policies in Germany vary from federal state to federal state. Most schools are run by the state and therefore can be attended free of charge.
The school system in Thuringia consists of primary school (1st to 4th grade, ages 6 to 10). After that, children can switch to the Hauptschule, Realschule or a Gymnasium, depending on their results. The Hauptschule (age: 10 to 15 years) is completed after grade 9 with a „Hauptschulabschluss“. The Realschule (age: 10 to 16 years) ends after the 10th grade with the „Mittlere Reife“. Both qualifications qualify for subsequent vocational education. After the Mittlere Reife, students can also change to the Gymnasium (age: 10 to 18). The Gymnasium ends with the Abitur after grade 12. The Abitur is also the entrance qualification for university studies.
Depending on the age and performance of your child(ren), you can register them for one of the school types. Here you will find a list of all schools and schools and school types in Weimar.
Registration with the City of Weimar via the Immigration Office
After your arrival, you must register your new address with the city of Weimar (only applies to stays of more than 90 days). To do this, make an appointment via the online appointment booking.
You will need your passport, the tenancy agreement and the landlord's confirmation of residence "Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung" filled out by the flat owner for the appointment.
The confirmation of registration is then required, for example, to open a German bank account and apply for a residence permit if necessary.
Residence Permit
If you are coming to Germany from a third country (according to the European Commission, i.e. a country that does not belong to the EU, EEA or Switzerland), you will need to have your visa converted to a residence permit here. To do this, you will need to send the following documents
- Applcation for Issue of a Residence Permit
- Valid passport or ID
- Biometric passport photo
- Rental contract
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of financing
- Employment contract (if applicable)
to the Ausländerbehörde (»immigration office«) and will be invited to a personal appointment after they have been checked.
The fee is approximately EUR 100 and can be paid in cash or by bank card on site.
| Address | |
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Ausländerbehörde (»immigration office«) Schwanseestr. 17, Haus II |
Employee ID (thoska)
The Thuringian University and Studierendenwerk Card, or »thoska« for short, is an ID card used by students and employees at the Weimar universities. You will receive your thoska at the beginning of your stay at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
thoska functions
- Employee ID
- Library card
- Payment form in the university's dining halls, cafeterias, as well as for course registrations fees (e.g. sport and language courses)
- Key card for select buildings and rooms (when activated)
- For printing, copying and scanning on the university's printers
- Money must be added to the card for it to be used for payment functions
Amounts from €10 to €200 can be loaded onto your thoska at thoska terminals using either your EC card or cash.
thoska Terminal Locations
- Coudraystraße 13a, Cafeteria (11 am to 2 pm) (EC card only) – accessible only during opening hours
- Marienstraße 13a, (»green door«, EC card only) – accessible only during opening hours
- Marienstraße 15, »Infothek« (10 am to 3 pm) (EC card or cash) – accessible only during opening hours
- University Library, Steubenstraße 6 (lower foyer) (EC card only) – accessible only during library opening hours
Broadcasting Licence Fee
If you are renting a flat or a room in a shared flat in Germany, you are required to pay the »Rundfunkbeitrag« or broadcasting licence fee. Every household in Germany is required to pay this fee. The broadcasting licence fee supports public broadcasting in Germany, so that it can provide objective and varied reporting.
The broadcasting licence fee is €18.36 per month per household and must be paid, regardless of whether you use public media services (TV, social media, radio, etc.) or not. This fee can be split between household members if you are living in a shared flat. Be sure to check with the property owner whether the broadcasting licence fee is included in your rent.
Regardless of whether the fee is included or not, you are required to register for the broadcasting licence fee as an individual once you move in an that you deregister before you return home! You can do this here.
If you have further questions or need more information, visit the broadcasting licence fee website where you will find all the necessary documents for registration and deregistration.
Opening a Bank Account
If you will be in Germany for less than three months, you do not need to open a German bank account. Check in advance with your bank in your home country to see if they have a cooperation with a German bank. This can save you money on foreign transfer fees.
If you will be in Germany for longer than three months, we recommend that you open a German account. You will receive an EC card which you can use to make payments and withdraw cash. In addition, your money or scholarship will be transferred to this account. Before you open a bank account, find out about the different offers and compare services, fees and banking conditions.
You will need the following documents to open an account:
- Valid passport or ID
- Residency Permit
- Proof of registration with the Bürgeramt (municipal registration auhtority)/ Ausländerbehörde (immigration office)
The following banks have branches in Weimar:
- Volksbank Weimar, Dingelstedstr. 2
- Commerzbank Weimar, Schillerstr. 16
- Deutsche Bank Weimar, Marktstr. 10
- Sparda-Bank Weimar, Atrium, Friedensstr. 1
- Sparkasse Mittelthüringen, Graben 4
Public Transport
In Weimar and the surrounding area, you can easily get around regionally by bus and train. The Verkehrsverbund Mittelthüringen (VMT) is the main public transport operator for the cities of Weimar, Erfurt, Jena and the Weimarer Land region. Thanks to a unified ticket system, you can travel by bus, train and tram with one ticket. You can purchase tickets with the VMT app on Android and iOS devices. If you travel often by bus or train, weekly or monthly tickets are available at a discounted price.
You can plan your trips within Thuringia and Germany and buy tickets through Deutsche Bahn.
Mobile Phone Contracts/ Mobile Internet
If you are staying in Germany for a longer period, it is worth taking out a mobile phone contract with a German mobile phone provider. This way, you will save costs when making phone calls and using mobile internet within Germany. Mobile services are available either through a monthly contract or pre-paid services. Before you decide, be sure to compare different offers, as the services and costs can vary greatly.
A list of mobile service providers can be found here.
Important Telephone Numbers
| Emergency Services/ Fire Brigade | 112 |
| Police | 110 |
| Ambulance / Paramedics | 116 117 |
| Pharmacy Emergency Services | 0800 00 22 833 |
| Poison Control | 0361 730 730 |
| Federal Ministry of Health Corona Information Hotline | 030 346 465 100 |
| Federal Foreign Office Help Desk | 030 5000 2000 |
| Crisis Hotline (may only be available in German) | 0800 111 01 11 |
| Youth Help Line (may only be available in German) | 116 111 |
| »Violence against women« Help Line (may only be available in German) | 08000 116 116 |
| Sexual Assault Help Line (may only be available in German) | 0800 22 55 530 |
Psychosocial services are available from Studierendenwerk if you encounter problems in your personal or professional life.
Studierendenwerk also offers free legal counseling from independent lawyers.
German Culture
Some aspects of German culture may seem peculiar and unfamiliar to visitors at first. Below you will find information on some of the cultural characteristics as well as the average costs for certain things in Germany and Weimar.
Distinctive Aspects of German Life
- Shops and supermarkets are only open from Monday to Friday or Saturday.
- Sunday is considered a day of rest in Germany. All shops are closed.
- Pharmacies and doctors' offices are also closed on Sundays. An emergency pharmacy is open on Sundays, as well as emergency clinic.
- Paying with EC card is not possible everywhere in Germany. Bakeries, butchers, smaller shops, kiosks and some bars and restaurants often only accept cash.
- In general, the tipping rate in bars or restaurants is 10%.
- In Germany, garbage is seperated into paper, plastic, glasses, residual and organic waste. Each house has colour coded waste bins for this purpose. Find out more about waste seperation here.
- Most cans and plastic or glass bottles in Germany carry a deposit of 8 to 25 cents. Bottles and cans with a deposit on them are marked with a symbol. Instead of throwing these bottles into the trash, they should be returned at special maschines at supermarkets. Here you can find more information.
- Shoes are not worn inside houses. Instead, Germans prefer thick socks or slippers (»Hausschuhe« in German).
- In Germany, the hours between 10 pm to 6 am are quiet time. This means that any noise (music, conversations, etc.) must be kept at a low volume.
- The handshake is the common form of greeting and bidding farewell. Since the coronavirus pandemic, however, this has largely been avoided.
- Being late is considered impolite in Germany. If you are going to be late, call, text or e-mail the person you are meeting to let them know.
Average Monthly Costs in Weimar
| Health Insurance | €120 |
| Books and stationary supplies | €70 |
| Rent | €300 |
| Meals | €200 |
| Miscellaneous expenses | €200 |
| Total per month | €890 |
Average Food Prices in Weimar
| 1 Loaf of bread | ~ €2,50 |
| 1 kg Apples | ~ €2,00 |
| 1 kg Bananas | ~ €1,50 |
| 2 kg Potatoes | ~ €2,50 |
| 1 kg Tomatoes | ~ €3,00 |
| 1L Milk | ~ €1,50 |
| 1L Water | ~ €1,00 |
| 1 Beer in a restaurant | ~ €2,50 |
| 1 Cup of coffee in a café | ~ €2,00 |
| 1 Pizza in a restaurant | ~ €10,00 |
Language Courses
The Language Centre offers language courses at various levels (CEFR) for students, staff and guests of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
The Language Centre offers German courses for all levels (A1-C1). Weekly courses are offered during the semester and three-week intensive courses are offered in March and September.
The Language Centre also offers courses in English, Spanish, Italian, French and Swedish. Courses in Russian, Portuguese, and Arabic are also offered regularly.
Intercultural Competencies
In our increasingly globalised world, intercultural competence and cultural awareness are essential on campus at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar as well as in your professional life. As part of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funded »Intercultural Competencies« project, the International Office offers various formats of intercultural education. Find out more here.
Leisure Activities
The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar offers a number of sports programmes for students and employees through the University Sports Centre. Courses are held both during and outside of the lecture period. You can register for sports classes online. Further information on all of the courses can be found here.
Thanks to its rich history, Weimar offers a broad range of cultural activities. The Klassik Stiftung Weimar includes nearly 30 different museums in and around Weimar, and brings together the Bauhaus, the Weimar Republic, Weimar Classicism and historical icons such as Goethe and Schiller, Nietzsche and Duchess Anna Amalia. The Thuringian Museum of Pre- and Ancient History and the Deutsche Bienenmuseum Weimar are especially enjoyable for the whole family.
The Deutsche Nationaltheater Weimar, the »mon ami« cultural centre and the Stellwerk Weimar offer a wide range of classical, experimental and modern theatre, music and dance performances and shows on their stages.
The Cinestar in der Schützengasse and Filmwelt in the Atrium show the latest releases and big blockbusters. For film lovers, the city's two art house cinemas, Lichthauskino Weimar and Kino im mon ami offer art, indie and house films from all over the world in their original versions as well as silent films with live accompaniment.
The ACC Galerie Weimar, the Galerie Eigenheim, the Kunsthalle Harry Graf Kessler, as well as countless other Weimar galleries, exhibit contemporary, 20th and 21st century art exhibitions.
But it is not just Weimar, the entire state of Thuringia is home to countless worthwhile destinations: Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, the Kyffhäuser Monument, the Hainich National Park and the Thuringian Forest, as well as the Erfurt Cathedral in the state's capital city. Learn more about places to visit, activities and insider tips in Thurinigia at thueringen-entdecken.de.
Dining Out in Weimar
Thuringian cuisine is characterised by hearty dishes such as Thuringian dumplings, Sauerbraten, Mutzbraten, Rostbrätl, Rouladen or the traditional Bratwurst. You can find numerous restaurants in Weimar that offer this type of traditional cuisine. But Weimar is also home to Italian, Greek, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, French and Spanish restaurants. In the afternoons, cafés invite you to take a coffee break with a slice of traditional Thuringian cake an other sweet treats. You can find an overview of Weimar’s restaurants and cafés here.
Nightlife in Weimar
The Kasseturm student club, C.Keller and Beatcorner are hotspots for concerts and parties in Weimar. Bars like the Reservebank, Zum Falken, weinbar weimar and Salon Konetzny provide a relaxed atmosphere for grabbing a drink with friends or colleagues.
Family Activities
Many museums have special offers and activities for children and families. Find out more about these events and programmes by visiting the institutions’ websites. The Entdeckerkarte für Kinder is a city map designed by and for children to discover Weimar through play. The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar, Volkshochschule Weimar, Deutsche Nationaltheater and the City of Weimar organise the Kinderuniversität four times during the summer semester and four times during the winter semester. Speakers from all over Germany explain issues such as environmental protection, history, religion or medicine in a child-friendly way. Find out more about activities for children of all ages here. You can find out more about Weimar’s playgrounds and play areas on the internet.
Cancelling & De-Registering
De-Registering at the Bürgerbüro (municipal registration authority)
Before you leave Weimar and return to your home country, you will need to de-register both yourself and your flat at the City of Weimar's Ausländerbehörde (immigration office). You will need valid ID for this. Find out more on registering and de-registering a flat here (in German only).
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Bürgerbüro und Ausländerbehörde Schwanseestr. 17, Haus II Appointements can be made using the online portal |
Housing: Rental Contract, Water and Electricity
Be sure to give notice well in advance before you move out of your flat or shared flat so that you do not have to continue paying rent after you’ve moved out. The notice period in German can vary, but it is generally between one and three months.
Also make sure that you cancel the water, electricity and heating at the same time. It is best to ask the property owner about this. If this your water, electricity and heating are not cancelled through the property owner, you will have to cancel these services separately through the appropriate service providers, such as Stadtwerke Weimar and Wasserversorgungszweckverband Weimar.
Bank Account
Be sure to close your bank account before you leave Weimar. This must be done in person for identity proof reasons.
Broadcasting Licence Fee
De-register for the broadcasting licence fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) by filling out the de-registration form on their website and select the option »Ich ziehe dauerhaft ins Ausland« (I am moving abroad permanently).
| Note |
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| If you do not de-register from the broadcasting licence fee and decide to one day come back to live in Germany (which we hope you will), the »Beitragsservice« will charge you for outstanding payments. The »Beitragsservice« is not automatically notified when you leave the country, and therefore will assume that you have been living in Germany all this time without paying the broadcasting licence fee. |
Mobile Phone Contracts / Mobile Internet
If you have WiFi in your flat or WG through an internet provider, be sure to cancel this service in good time before you leave. The same applies to German phone contracts.
De-Registering at the University Library
Before you leave the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, you have to de-register at the University Library. This should be done in person at the Library’s service desk. You will receive a document confirming that you have no overdue book or outstanding fines.
Returning Your Employee ID (thoska)
You will need to return your thoska to the International Office before you leave.
De-Registering from School and Daycare
If your child(ren) came with you to Weimar and attended daycare or school, be sure to de-register them in good time before you leave.
Mail Forwarding Service
You can request a Nachsendeauftrag (mail forwarding service) through Deutsch Post so that any letters or correspondence that you receive in Germany are forwarded to your address in your home country. Your mail will be forwarded from Germany for several months.
Career Services
If you enjoyed your time at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and wish to say in Germany for a longer period, Career Services is available to help support you in entering the German job market. Take advantage of individual counselling services, job application training, developing the necessary qualifications and get to know the German job market.
Alumni Network
The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar exists by virtue of those who study, research and work here. It also functions as a network of all those who have shaped the university and have been shaped by it — it is a cross-generational, international Bauhaus network. The Alumni Office understands itself as an important resource for connecting the enthusiasm, curiosity and creativity of the students with the professional experience and knowledge of the alumni.
We invite you to join the Bauhaus-Network.
