During your research stay

General information about living in Stuttgart is provided by the main website of the city of Stuttgart. The sub-site Region Stuttgart offers an overview of the must-sees and the touristical highlights in and around Stuttgart. The Welcome Center Stuttgart is an extensive information source for new international residents to take their first steps in Stuttgart.

To get information on culture, sport, party and outdoor activities in and around Stuttgart we recommend the event calender of the city of Stuttgart and the intercultural city guide. The website of the Staatstheater Stuttgart informs you about the current programme of the opera, ballet and theater.

If you intend to practice sports you can check out the sport associations (Sportvereine).

More than 100 different migrant associations exist in Stuttgart. A list of them can be found at the Forum der Kulturen Stuttgart.

For more information about mosques or prayer places for Muslims, places of worship for Hindus and churches for many Christian denominations at the university and in Stuttgart please ask the Ecumenical Centre or visit the website of the VVS which provides you with a city map (religious institutions) with addresses.

Language

Each semester the University of Stuttgart’s Language Center (Sprachenzentrum) offers German language courses on different levels for academic staff as well as visiting researchers. A fee is imposed. The current program can be found on their website.

The Language Center (Sprachenzentrum) also offers online German language self-study courses on the levels A2, B 1, B 2 and C1.

If you would like to improve your German or practice another language together with a native speaker, the Language Center of the University of Stuttgart can help you find a so-called Tandempartner. The German community colleges also offer a tool to search Tandempartners.

The Welcome Center Stuttgart (Weltcafé) also maintains a current database of German courses in Stuttgart and surrounding areas at various levels in public and private institutions.

The Volkshochschule, Stuttgarts community college, offers a large range of inexpensive language courses. German as a foreign language is offered on all levels.

The Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa) is specialized on German as a Foreign Language. Other private language schools can be found on the homepage of the city of Stuttgart.

Additionally, the Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband offers a learning portal "ich-will-lernen" to support verbal, social and work-related integration.

The radio program Deutsche Welle provides free online German courses and a number of additional services (e.g. slowly spoken news in German). Use interactive, free apps like Duolingo as vocabulary trainer.

Culture

Up-to-date information about German politics, culture, society and history is available on How Germany ticks and Facts about Germany. An extensive overview about traveling, movies, art and lifestyle is provided by Deutsche Welle.

German universities do not provide medical service for students and staff on campus. The addresses of doctors, dentists, and hospitals can be found online. This site also enables you to find medical doctors who speak other languages than German. Choose a language in the search criteria "Erweiterte Suche" → "Fremdsprache".

Generally speaking, you have to make an appointment with the doctor before you go. Some general practitioners also have open consultation hours. Don't forget to take along your health card (Gesundheitskarte) if you are insured through statutory German health insurance. If you hold a European health insurance card, present this at the doctor’s. If you are insured through a private health insurance, take along your insurance policy and make sure the doctor takes notice of it, so that she/he knows how to charge you for his/her services.

If you become ill at night or during the weekend you may call the on-call duty 116 117. In case of an emergency you can directly go to the Emergency Medical Service of Stuttgart doctors on duty or call 112 for an ambulance.

The Graduate Academy of the University of Stuttgart (GRADUS) supports researchers at various stages of their career. It offers qualifications and mentoring programs adapted to your needs at the current stage of your career and to the respective career orientation. Other services include individual counseling as well as coaching.

Unimusik gives you the chance to sing in the choir or participate in the orchestra of the University of Stuttgart. You may also join other activities such as campus gardening MitMachGarten, the photography group or play theatre, etc.

As employee or guest of the University of Stuttgart you may also benefit from a large sports program provided by the Hochschulsport Stuttgart. Registration and payment take place online.

There are two large sites of the university library or Universitätsbibliothek (UB), one branch situated on the Campus Stadtmitte and the other branch on Campus Vaihingen.

The Ecumenical Center (Ökumenisches Zentrum/ÖZ) located on Campus Vaihingen is run by both the Protestant and the Catholic Church. Services (consultation, events, etc.) are open to all students, staff and guests of the University of Stuttgart independent of their religious affiliation. The ÖZ also offers a room for silence and prayer (Raum der Stille) which is available for everyone from Monday to Friday.

The IZKT (Internationales Zentrum für Kultur und Technikforschung) organizes lectures and events addressing current topics at the interface of technology, culture and society. Cooperating with non-university institutions, the IZKT has developed into a forum for interdisciplinary and international exchange.

Get-together for new international researchers

Are you new at the University of Stuttgart and would like to meet other international researchers? We invite both new and established international researchers to our event to get together and share experiences in an informal setting.

When? TBA
Where? Foyer at the IZ, Pfaffenwaldring 60, 70569 Stuttgart
Prior registration: Yes, you can find further information in the info flyer.
Language: English

Guided city tour of Stuttgart (spring and autumn)

A tour guide will take you on a stroll around the city center of Stuttgart and show you the most important places of interest.

When? TBA
Where? City center, Tourist-Information i-Punkt, Königstraße 1a, 70173 Stuttgart
Prior registration: Check out the flyer of the past event.
Language: English

Statutory health insurance in Germany

Health insurance is a must in Germany. Our informative webinar will focus on what you as an employee can expect from statutory health insurance in Germany. Its benefits, including in- and outpatient treatment, preventive health check-ups for adults and children, vaccination, or medication, will be explained in detail by representatives of the TK (Techniker Krankenkasse), one of the bigger health insurance providers.

When?  TBA
Where? Online via Webex (The link will be available upon registration.)
Prior registration: Yes.
Language: English

Income tax

Would you like to know more about the German tax system? We have invited representatives of a tax consultancy association to inform you about income tax in Germany, how to file a tax return and more.

When?  Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 5 p.m.
Where? Online via Webex (The link will be available upon registration.)
Prior registration: TBA
Language: English

Your rights and obligations as an employee at the University of Stuttgart

Your work contract, the collective labor agreement for the public service as well as the employment law defines the mutual relationship between you as an employee and the university, your employer. If you would like to know more about your rights and duties, you should not miss this informative talk which will be held by the deputy chairperson of the staff council of the university.

When? Thursday, November 6, 2025, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where? Online via Webex
Prior registration: TBA
Language: English

Pension rights & the VBL

Would you like to learn more about your pension rights in Germany after your stay here? How is pension insurance organized in Germany? Will you be entitled to receive a pension from Germany when you reach pension age? These questions and many more will be answered in English by representatives of the VBL ("Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder").

When? TBA
Where? Online via Webex (The link will be available upon registration.)
Prior registration: Yes.
Language: English

Business Etiquette in German Academia

Would you like to find out more about the unwritten laws that shape your day-to-day work at a German university? For example, how to address superiors and peers or how to give and receive feedback? Learn about customs that are usually followed and how the work culture at a university differs from that of an industrial company. An external expert with 15 years of experience in intercultural communication in companies and universities will give you an overview of business etiquette in German academia.

When? Thursday, December 12, 2025
Where? TBA
Prior registration: TBA
Language: English 

Events beyond the Welcome Center

TK Campus Run

Do you want to work out and network? Here is your opportunity! The TK CampUS Run, organised by University Sports ("Allgemeiner Hochschulsport Stuttgart"), will take place again this summer! Participants can once again expect a beautiful route that will take them past offices, halls of residence, institutes and the entire university campus.
Further information can be found on the University Sports website.

When? Thursday, June 5, 2025
Where? Stadium at Allmandring 28, Campus Vaihingen, 70569 Stuttgart
What? 6 km run, 12 km run, 6 km walking
Who? University of Stuttgart students and employees, external parties
Organizer: University Sports ("Allgemeiner Hochschulsport Stuttgart")
Prior registration: Register here

Who needs to apply for a residence permit?

Non-EU citizens have to apply for a residence permit if:

• your current visa/residence permit is not valid for the entire duration of the stay that the applicant intends to stay in Germany,
• your stay extends beyond 90 days after entering Germany without a visa (which is possible for some non-EU nationals),
• the purpose of your stay in Germany changes (e.g., change from study purpose to employment).

When do I need to apply for a residence permit?

You should apply for a (new) residence permit about 2-3 months before the expiry of your visa/residence permit; at the latest, right before it expires.

Your timely application to the Foreigners' Registration Office already creates a fictitious effect and thus enables you to stay legally in Germany until you receive a reply. This is important since the feedback from the Foreigners' Registration Office is often delayed.

Where and how do I apply for a residence permit?

Please enquire at the Foreigners' Registration Office of the town you have registered at how to apply for/extend your residence permit.

In Stuttgart, the application is done online. Select the appropriate category:

• "Residence permit for employment" for employees or visiting researchers
• "Residence permit for training" for doctoral students (enrolled at the university as doctoral candidates without an employment contract)

Please note: In Stuttgart, you can sign up for an emergency appointment ("Notfall-Termin") with the Foreigners' Registration Office if your residence permit is due to expire in less than 7 days. Usually, you will be given your appointment date on the morning of the appointment itself.

Necessary application documents

Each Foreigners' Registration Office may require slightly different documents.
In Stuttgart, you must upload scans of the following documents during the online application process:

• Passport (the page with personal data)
• Visa or current residence permit (if applicable)
• Proof of residence registration ("Meldebescheinigung")
• Up-to-date residence certificate ("Wohnraumnachweis"), to be filled in and signed by your landlord
• Up-to-date rental contract
• Up-to-date proof of health insurance
• Your higher education qualifications
• Proof that your livelihood is secured (work contract, pay slips, scholarship letter, form "Hosting Agreement" (see below), form "Declaration of Employment" (see below), other proof of income)
• Other documents depending on your personal circumstances, e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate(s), etc.

During the application, there is a field asking for proof of your German skills. You may upload proof here, but if you don't have any, there is no need to do so.

Applicants for a residence permit for research purposes additionally need:

• A "Hosting Agreement" signed by you, the host institute and the International Office of the University of Stuttgart. Please get in touch with your host institute to get one issued.

EU Blue Card applicants additionally need:

• The form "Declaration of Employment" ("Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis") issued by your institute and the Department of Personnel and Legal Affairs (usually for first-time applications) or the form "Employment and Earnings certificate" ("Arbeits und Verdienstbescheinigung") filled in by your institute (usually for subsequent applications).
• Higher education qualifications, recognized by the Central Office for Foreign Education (for first-time applications)

Here you can check whether you meet the requirements for the EU Blue Card.

Doctoral students additionally need:

• Proof of admission to studies or proof of enrollment

After submitting the application, you will receive a confirmation e-mail, which you should keep to prove your timely application.

Issuance of the residence permit

After you have submitted your application, you will be given an appointment to give your fingerprints so that an electronic residence permit ("eAT") can be ordered. A confirmation letter is handed out to you. With this letter, you cannot travel if your visa/residence permit has expired before you receive the electronic residence permit.

Since it often takes a long time for the electronic residence permit to be produced and sent to you by the Federal Press in Berlin, we recommend you ask for a provisional paper residence permit ("Fiktionsbescheinigung"). With this provisional residence permit, you may travel based on your former visa/residence permit. If you entered the country without a visa, you will receive a provisional paper residence permit according to §81,3 ("AufenthG"), with which it is not possible to travel if your stay exceeds 90 days.

The handling fee is around EUR 100.

If the Foreigners' Registration Office has not been able to process your application until the time of your appointment, you will only receive a provisional paper residence permit.

Note that this procedure applies to Stuttgart; it might be different in other cities.

Our agreement with the Department of Personnel and Legal Affairs of the University of Stuttgart allows in many cases a three-month extension of the employment contract, even without a valid visa or residence permit, if you have applied in time. Please ask your institute to approach the Department of Personnel and Legal Affairs if the residence permit is not issued on time despite a timely application.