To make settling into Munich life a little simpler, we’ve collected some helpful practical information covering everything from opening a bank account to getting a German SIM card. You’ll feel at home in no time!
If you study in Germany, you must have health insurance. You will need to present proof of health insurance before your first day of class. Make sure you take care of your health insurance before or as soon as you arrive in Germany.
A public health insurance policy costs about €150 per month until the age of 30. After that, the monthly premium jumps to €160+ per month. On campus, we work with Techniker Krankenkasse and Barmer. We recommend these companies as their websites and customer service are available in English. Students may apply directly on campus.
Germany has signed social security agreements with the following countries, so your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will cover you for any medical treatment you require while in Germany:
- Member states of the European Union, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey and the U.K.
Private domestic and foreign health insurance policies from other countries may also be recognized in Germany. You should inquire about the details with your health insurance provider before leaving home. If your public or private health insurance policy from your home country is recognized, then you will need confirmation that you are exempt from public health insurance coverage when you enroll. In this case, contact a German health insurance provider in Munich and have them issue a letter certifying that you are insured. Please be aware that once this confirmation is issued, you may no longer sign up for German public health insurance for the duration of your studies.
We advise you to learn the numbers below in case of an emergency:
- Police: 110
- Fire Brigade: 112
- Emergency Medical Service: 112, 116-117
When opening your bank account in Munich, a good place to start can be with the banks whose websites are available in English! These are:
It’s a good idea to research what’s available and pick the most suitable account for your needs.
If you’ve weighed up your options and there’s no clear winner, look for a bank with branches close to campus or your accommodation, this will save you valuable time when it comes to getting any admin done!
The country code for Germany is 49 and the local code for Munich is 89.
To make international calls from Munich, dial 00 and then the country code, local code and telephone number. For example, if you want to call the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., you would dial 001-202-588-7800.
There are many different cell phone providers in Germany. The contracts can be from one to two years and packages can be chosen according to your personal needs. The cost per month can vary from €20-€60 depending on special features, internet and DSL-providers. Prices and offers can be compared online before you buy a SIM card or sign a contract. You may also purchase a pre-paid SIM card without a contract.
Cell phone providers in Munich include:
- O2: o2online.de
- T-Mobile: t-mobile.de
- Vodafone: vodafone.de
There are many chain stores in Munich, such as Edeka, Rewe, Aldi, Real, Rossmann, Penny, DM, etc. Most shops are open Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. and closed on Sundays and public holidays. The Edeka grocery stores at Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Bakeries in Munich open seven days a week, but on Sundays they have a shorter schedule. Monday to Saturday they open 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sunday schedules vary by bakery.
If you need to buy food on weekends, there are stores in the Central Train Station (Hauptbahnhof) and East Train Station (Ostbahnhof) that are open for longer hours on weekends and public holidays. Gas stations also have extended hours.
Department stores generally open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
The main streets for shopping in the city center are Kaufingerstrasse, Rindermarkt, Neuhauser Strasse, Karlsplatz, Sendlingerstrasse and Sonnenstrasse, to name a few.
Shopping centers usually open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and close on Sundays and during holidays.