Please find out early (at least 12 weeks before arrival) if you need a visa to enter Germany by contacting the German embassy about possible visa requirements. If you need a visa, you must apply for a tourist visa which covers the time of the FUBiS program. The German embassy or consulate in your home country can issue such a visa.

FUBiS cannot and will not intercede for those who choose not to obtain the appropriate documentation. Participants are responsible for educating themselves on any specific requirements for their selected destination. Failure to obtain appropriate passports and visas is not grounds for any refund.

For further information on visa requirements please visit the German Federal Foreign Office’s website.

Upon request FUBiS can issue a letter of invitation for you, which confirms that you will be studying during the respective period (Term I, II or III) at Freie Universität Berlin. The condition for receiving such a letter of invitation is that you have already registered and paid all incurred costs. FUBiS can e-mail the document to you as a PDF file or fax it directly to the respective German embassy. In this case you will need to send FUBiS the necessary contact data of the embassy (including contact person and fax number).

The day of arrival and departure are part of the FUBiS program. In Term I, arrival and departure days vary. The specific dates can be found here. For Term II and III, it usually is the first and the last Saturday of the respective program. You should arrive in Berlin and move in to your accommodation on the day of arrival. Please note that the day of arrival is the earliest you can move in to your accommodation. Here you can find the arrival and departure dates for your respective term.

In summer, the FUBiS orientation meeting takes place on the first Sunday of the respective terms. In Term I, the dates for the orientation meeting vary. At the orientation meeting, you will receive important information about the program and your courses. Therefore, you should make sure that you arrive in Berlin on the official day of arrival (usually the day before the orientation) at the latest.

Berlin has many transportation connections: you can arrive by plane, train, bus or car.

Arriving by plane

Berlin has one airport which is served by many international airlines. It is situated on the outskirts of Berlin and is well integrated into the city’s public transportation system. 

• Berlin Brandenburg (BER) is the largest regional airport and is located in the south eastern part of the city. International long-distance flights usually land here.

Arriving by train

Berlin can be reached by train from all major German and European cities. It disposes of several long and short-distance as well as regional railway stations. You will most likely arrive at Berlin’s central station (Berlin Hauptbahnhof).

Arriving by bus

Numerous coach lines from different German and European cities arrive at Berlin´s Central Bus Station Terminal (ZOB) and other stops in the city.

Arriving by car

Berlin is also easy to reach by car. All highways to Berlin flow into the beltway (A10) surrounding Berlin. From there the exits will lead you to the city center.

Further arrival information can be found on the city’s official website.

Berlin has a very well structured public transportation system. Your accommodation can be reached by metro (the “U-Bahn”), city train (the “S-Bahn”) or bus from all airports and railway stations. Approximately four weeks before the FUBiS term begins, you will receive pre-departure information that helps you find the directions to your accommodation.        

You should definitely bring the following things with you: passport, visa (if applicable), enough cash for the first days (approx. 300 euros), valid health insurance (FUBiS also recommends accident and liability insurance; if you have chosen the FUBiS insurance package, you will receive your documents at the orientation meeting), any medication you take regularly, towels, adaptors, laptop or tablet (recommended).

Which clothes you should bring depends on the season. In winter the temperatures lie between +10 ° C and -15 ° C. You should bring a warm jacket, scarf, hat, gloves and water-resistant shoes. In summer the weather is quite variable in Germany. It is advisable to bring clothes for hot summer weather as well as closed shoes, pants and sweaters for chilly and rainy days.

Please also keep in mind to check import regulations for medication you might need and make sure to bring all medication in its original packaging.