Before arrival

To work in Germany, you need a work permit!

National visa:

To work in Germany, all non-EU citizens, with a few exceptions, must hold a national visa from the day they start working, even if they enter Germany visa-free! This applies to everyone who is living in Germany and has an employment contract with a German institution. These are the types of visa that apply most frequently to our employees:
Visa for research
EU Blue Card
Visa application form

Visa-free:

If you have a visitor's contract and can enter Germany without a visa, you may not need a visa if you are staying in Europe for 90 days or less. This applies to scholarship holders (but not interns) or scientific partners who are not employed by the MPI. You can find a list of requirements by country here:

Overview of visa requirements/exemptions

Schengen visa:

Except for candidates attending interviews or visiting scientists who will certainly not stay more than 90 days, we do not recommend to apply for a Schengen Visa. If the stay is extended, the Schengen Visa holder must return to his or her country of origin to apply for a national visa.

In any case, it's always better to contact us to start the right procedures as early as possible.

Health insurance

Health insurance coverage is mandatory for everyone living in Germany and you are requiered to have health insurance coverage for the whole duration of your stay.

The type of contract you have is decisive for the type of insurance you need. You might be entitled to join the statutory health insurance. Statutory health insurance can already be arranged in advance, but will only cover you from the first day of your working contract. If you're not eligible for statutory insurance, you'll need private health insurance. If you are a scholarship holder, you can benefit from a special rate with Mawista.

Contact us so to know which insurance applies to your situation.
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Accommodation

We can help you with the arrangement of your arrival as well as finding accommodation.

Our institute offers the following options for temporary housing depending on availability:

guest rooms in the Max Planck Guest Rooms at the institute (max. 3 months)
guest apartments in the Max Planck Guest House on the Schroeter street (max. 1 year)

If they have availability, it's also possible to rent an apartment in the University Guest House: Gästehäuser der Universität Jena (uni-jena.de)

For long term accommodation, please follow that link: more

With family

Childcare: In Jena every child of seven months or older has the legal right to a place in day care if both parents have a job, are students or in vocational training. Otherwise they can attend a kindergarten at the age of 1. You should inquire early about the day-care facilities.

Schools: For all children living in Germany it is compulsory to attend school from the age of 6 to 15. For more information please contact School Administration Jena. more

Before Arrival