Step into Germany fully prepared and excited

Our Pre-Departure Briefing prepares students for a seamless transition from India to Germany. We cover flight and baggage guidelines, customs rules, foreign exchange (Forex), airport immigration protocols, essential original document checklists, and immediate next steps upon landing in Germany.

Always keep original physical copies of the following in your carry-on bag:

• Valid Passport with stamped German National Student Visa (Type D).

• Official University Admission Letter and Enrollment/Matriculation Certificate.

• APS Certificate (Original).

• Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) Confirmation document.

• German Health Insurance policy certificate.

• Academic marksheets, degree certificates, and language scorecards (IELTS/Goethe).

• Passport-sized photos (biometric format) and temporary accommodation address details.

We recommend carrying €500 to €1,000 in cash (in smaller euro denominations like €10, €20, and €50 notes) for immediate expenses during your first few weeks, alongside an International Forex/Debit Card pre-loaded with funds to pay for temporary accommodation or emergency needs before your blocked account payouts begin.

Your blocked account funds are not disbursed at the airport. Upon arrival, you must first complete your local address registration (Anmeldung) at the town hall (Bürgeramt), open a local current account (Girokonto with a German bank like Sparkasse, N26, or Deutsche Bank), and upload your IBAN and tax ID to your blocked account portal (Expatrio/Coracle/Fintiba) to trigger your monthly €992 payouts.

German airport customs (Zoll) enforce strict import bans. Do not pack:

• Dairy, meat, or fresh poultry products.

• Fresh seeds, plants, or soil.

• Counterfeit goods or pirated items.

• Unlabelled prescription medications without an official English medical certificate.

Major airlines operating flights from India to Germany (such as Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Air India) frequently offer student baggage allowances (often allowing 2 checked bags up to 23 kg each, plus 7–8 kg hand baggage). EduOptions Germany assists students in accessing student discount fares and extra baggage permits.

Germany uses Type C and Type F power plugs with a standard supply voltage of 230V / 50Hz. You should pack a universal travel adapter, a multi-socket surge protector power strip, and bring your laptop, smartphone, and power banks in your hand/cabin luggage (power banks are banned in checked baggage).

Yes. Activate basic international roaming on your Indian SIM card so you can receive crucial OTPs (for bank transactions and emails) and make emergency calls upon landing. EduOptions Germany also guides students on ordering a free German SIM card (such as Lebara, Lycamobile, or Vodafone) before departure.

If your flight is delayed or missed, immediately notify your temporary accommodation provider and university international office. If your baggage is lost, locate the airline's Lost & Found desk (Fundbüro) inside the baggage claim area before leaving the customs zone, file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), and provide your temporary address in Germany for delivery.

Before travelling, ensure your Incoming / Travel Health Insurance is active from the date of your departure flight. This covers unexpected medical emergencies, travel illness, or hospitalisations during transit and your initial days in Germany until your official German Public/Private Health Insurance becomes active upon university matriculation.

We host dedicated Pre-Departure Orientations (in-person at our Mumbai, Pune, and Rajkot offices and virtually online). We provide a master packing checklist, connect you with fellow students travelling on the same flight or attending the same university, and review your travel, insurance, Forex, and landing protocols to ensure a smooth arrival.