Checklist to finalize your exchange in Germany in 2026: what to sort out before you fly

The blocked account takes 2 to 4 weeks to become available after the request. Anyone who underestimates that timeline arrives in Germany without the financial proof that the Ausländerbehörde requires for the residence permit. For 6 months of a language course, the total deposit is EUR 6,546 and must be confirmed before boarding.

This checklist covers the six blocks international students need to close before the flight: documentation, blocked account, health insurance, housing, language preparation, and what to prepare for the regularization in the first 90 days. The order matters because each item depends directly on the next.

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Documentation: what must be valid before buying the ticket

The total time to sort out the complete documentation is 8 to 12 weeks, considering passport renewal, diploma authentication, and the time the school takes to issue the enrollment confirmation.

The passport must be valid for at least 12 months beyond the planned return date. A passport with a shorter validity is refused at check-in and at the Ausländerbehörde. Renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks during high-demand periods.

• - Passport-size photos on a white background, 4 to 6 of them (the Ausländerbehörde uses them at the time of the request)
• - Authenticated diploma or academic transcript, if the program requires proof of education
• - Birth and marriage certificates for anyone bringing dependents
• - Bank statement from the last 3 months as proof of financial activity
• - Enrollment confirmation from the school, issued by the institution after payment is confirmed

The visa to study in Germany in 2026 has different rules depending on the passport: Brazilians enter as tourists and regularize inside the country; others must apply before boarding.

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Blocked account: the item with the longest timeline on the list

The Sperrkonto, or blocked account, is the special bank account that proves financial capacity to the Ausländerbehörde. The money belongs to the student the entire time, released month by month during the stay. The opening and identity verification process on the specialized platforms takes 2 to 4 weeks.

The amounts required for 2026, according to the Auswärtiges Amt:

• - Language course: EUR 1,091 per month
• - Master's or bachelor's degree: EUR 992 per month
• - For 6 months of a language exchange: EUR 6,546 to deposit before traveling

The blocked account in Germany in 2026 gathers the step-by-step documentation, the available providers, and the maintenance fees for anyone who wants to compare before opening one.

The language exchange in Germany allows working up to 20 hours per week during studies, which affects the monthly budget already in the pre-trip planning stage.

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Health insurance: mandatory coverage for the residence permit

Health insurance is a mandatory document at the Ausländerbehörde. Without it, the residence permit process does not move forward.

Anyone entering as a tourist covers the initial period with travel insurance that includes health coverage for European territory. Check the policy for:

• - Hospital emergencies and outpatient appointments
• - Diagnostic exams
• - Repatriation to the country of origin

Students enrolled at German universities generally join the public health system through student plans with a fixed monthly cost. Confirm with the school or university which type of insurance is compatible with the program before signing up.

The monthly spending simulation by city in the cost of studying in Germany in 2026 includes insurance, housing, and food with estimates by city.

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Housing: the address that makes the Anmeldung possible

The Anmeldung is the mandatory residence registration in Germany. Without it, opening a local bank account and booking an appointment at the Ausländerbehörde are blocked. Having housing confirmed before boarding removes that bottleneck right at the start.

The most common options among exchange students in Germany:

• - Language school accommodation: the simplest alternative for the first months, with a contract tied to enrollment and no additional rental bureaucracy
• - WG (Wohngemeinschaft, shared flat): the most common format for those staying longer than 6 months, with a lower monthly cost than individual housing
• - Short-term rental for the start: practical for the first 15 days while the definitive WG is found locally

Beware of listings on open platforms that ask for payment before a signed contract or a visit to the property. Paying before receiving the keys is a sign of a scam, especially in searches done outside the country.

The curation of study and work in Germany goes from choosing the school and the city to housing and arrival guidance.

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Language and apps: what to prepare before boarding

You do not need to speak German to start the program. Basic preparation before boarding makes a difference in the first month outside the classroom, at the supermarket, the pharmacy, transport, and everyday bureaucracy.

Practical apps to install before boarding:

• - Deutsche Bahn: buying train and metro tickets across German territory
• - Local transport app: BVG (Berlin), MVV (Munich), HVV (Hamburg), VRS (Cologne)
• - Revolut or Wise: international digital account with no abusive exchange fees for the first days' expenses
• - Google Maps with offline maps: download the map of your destination city before boarding

See what German courses in Berlin and in the Konstanz region look like, two frequent destinations for language immersion:

The language exchange in Germany goes beyond the classroom: working up to 20 hours a week during studies covers part of the monthly costs and inserts the student into the local market.

The guide to essential apps for exchange students in Germany gathers the main categories: transport, finance, housing, language, and health, with recommendations by city.

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Residence permit: what to prepare before boarding

The residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) is requested from the Ausländerbehörde within the first 90 days. Anyone who arrives with organized documents resolves it in a single visit.

Documents needed for the request:

• - Valid passport with passport-size photos
• - Enrollment confirmation with a minimum course load of 18 hours per week
• - Blocked account statement with available balance
• - Proof of the completed Anmeldung
• - Valid health insurance in Germany

The 18-hour-per-week course load is the minimum criterion for a language student. Confirm with the school before finalizing enrollment, because schools with a lower load compromise the request.

The distinction between a student visa and residence permit in Germany defines which path each student takes before and after arriving in the country.

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For the first days after boarding

The arrival checklist maps the in-person steps: Anmeldung at the city hall, local bank account, and appointment at the Ausländerbehörde.

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Frequently asked questions about the Germany exchange checklist

How far in advance should I start closing the checklist?
Start at least 8 to 12 weeks before boarding. The blocked account requires 3 to 4 weeks just to be opened. Adding passport, enrollment, housing, and insurance, starting with less than 2 months means risking arriving on the day of the flight with open pending items.

Do I need a visa to enter Germany with a Brazilian passport?
No. With a Brazilian passport, you enter as a tourist and have up to 90 days to request the residence permit from the Ausländerbehörde, with a blocked account, enrollment, and a registered address. Other nationalities must check the specific visa rules for the passport they hold before buying the ticket.

How much is the blocked account deposit for 6 months of a language exchange?
The total deposit is EUR 6,546, calculated at EUR 1,091 per month, according to the Auswärtiges Amt for 2026. The balance is deposited before boarding and withdrawn monthly during the stay. The specialized platforms charge an opening and maintenance fee separate from the deposited amount.

What happens if I do not do the Anmeldung right after arriving in Germany?
Without the Anmeldung, opening a local bank account and booking an appointment at the Ausländerbehörde are blocked. The registration is done at the Bürgeramt of the destination city with a proven housing address. Having housing reserved before boarding is what allows you to do the Anmeldung in the first days, without waiting for an address.

Can I work in Germany during the language course?
Yes. The limit is 20 hours per week during the language course, according to current regulations. Unlike Canada, the USA, and the United Kingdom, Germany allows paid work during language study. After a higher education course, it is possible to stay up to 18 months to look for a job in the field.

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Be Easy: Boutique study abroad consultancy

Be Easy supports international students who want to close each item on this checklist with clarity, without missing deadlines or leaving any document poorly resolved before boarding. If you want to build your path in Germany with school curation, complete guidance on the blocked account, and support all the way to arrival, talk to a dedicated senior consultant at every stage. Get in touch with us to receive specialized senior consulting!