10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying in Germany (2026)

 

International student enjoying life in Germany before studying abroad

If you're planning to study in Germany as an international student, you probably already know about the big things: visas, accommodation, health insurance, and university applications.

I researched all of these before moving to Germany too. But after actually living here for several years, I realized that some of the most useful things to know are the small details of everyday life.

From quiet Sundays and the German obsession with appointments to slow bureaucracy and unexpected package deliveries, here are 10 things I wish I knew before studying in Germany.

1. Most Shops Are Closed on Sundays in Germany

One of the biggest cultural differences I noticed after moving to Germany was Sunday.

Sunday is truly a day of rest in Germany.

Most supermarkets, drugstores, shopping centers, and regular shops are closed. Residential areas can become surprisingly quiet, and it often feels like almost everything takes a break for the day.

Coming from Korea, where you can easily go shopping, order things, or run errands on a Sunday, this took me some time to get used to.

You also need to be considerate about noise at home. Sunday is generally treated as a quiet day, so activities that create a lot of noise may disturb your neighbors.

My practical advice is simple:

Do your grocery shopping by Saturday.

Of course, Germany does not completely shut down. Restaurants, cafés, some bakeries, petrol stations, and certain shops at major train stations or airports may still be open.

But after living here for a while, planning around Sunday becomes completely normal.



International student calling to make a Termin appointment in Germany

2. You Need a Termin for Almost Everything in Germany

One German word you will learn very quickly is Termin, which means an appointment.

Appointments are a major part of everyday life in Germany.

Government offices, immigration offices, doctors, banks, and many other services may require you to make an appointment before visiting.

In many situations, simply walking in and expecting to be helped is not an option.

The frustrating part is that available appointments can sometimes be weeks away.

If you know you will need something important, my advice is:

Start looking for a Termin as early as possible.

This is especially important when you are dealing with documents or administrative procedures that have a deadline.



International student waiting for a response from the German immigration office

3. The Ausländerbehörde Can Take a Long Time

If you are a non-EU international student in Germany, you may have to deal with the Ausländerbehörde, or immigration office, for your residence permit.

One thing I wish I had known earlier is just how slowly the process can sometimes move.

You may submit your documents or send an email and then wait much longer than you expected for a response.

My advice from living in Germany is to prepare as early as possible and have a lot of patience.

However, if you have been waiting for a long time and the lack of response could cause a problem with your residence permit, don't simply ignore the situation.

Contact the responsible office again and keep copies of your emails, submitted documents, appointment confirmations, and other communication. This can help you keep a clear record of when and how you contacted them.

If your situation is urgent, clearly explain your deadline and why you need a response.

Procedures can differ between cities and individual situations, so always check the official instructions from your local Ausländerbehörde for important residence matters.



4. Finding Student Accommodation in Germany Can Be Difficult

Finding accommodation can be one of the most stressful parts of moving to Germany.

In popular student cities, affordable rooms may receive many applications. WG rooms and student dormitories can be especially competitive around the beginning of a semester.

If you cannot find permanent accommodation before arriving in Germany, don't panic.

Temporary accommodation can give you some time to continue searching after you arrive.

I recommend preparing a short introduction about yourself before contacting landlords or WGs. It makes applying to multiple rooms much easier.

And always be careful about scams, especially if someone asks you to transfer money before you have properly verified the accommodation.



International student studying German at home in Germany

5. You May Need More German Than You Expect

It is possible to study in Germany in English, especially if your university program is taught in English.

But I quickly learned that:

Studying in English and living in English are two different things.

Official letters, apartment-related communication, doctor visits, contracts, government offices, and everyday conversations may still be in German.

You don't need perfect German before moving to Germany.

However, learning basic everyday German will make your life significantly easier.

Even knowing how to make a Termin, ask a simple question, describe a problem, or understand the main point of an official letter can be extremely helpful.



International student checking an official letter from a mailbox in Germany

6. Physical Letters Are Still Important in Germany

Before living in Germany, I didn't expect physical mail to be this important.

Government offices, insurance companies, banks, universities, and other organizations may send important information by post.

So yes:

You actually need to check your mailbox regularly.

It is also important to make sure your name is correctly displayed on your mailbox.

Otherwise, important letters may not reach you properly.

I recommend opening official letters as soon as you receive them, even if reading a long German letter is the last thing you want to do.



7. Package Delivery in Germany Can Be Confusing

Package delivery in Germany was another small thing I had to get used to.

You might think that if you stay home all day, your package will obviously arrive at your door.

Not necessarily.

Depending on the delivery situation, your parcel may sometimes be delivered to a neighbor, Paketshop, or Packstation — even when you were actually at home.

So if your package doesn't appear at your door, don't immediately assume it has disappeared.

Check the tracking information first.

I find delivery apps, especially the DHL app, very useful because they make it much easier to check where a parcel has been delivered and when it can be collected.



International student withdrawing euros from an ATM in Germany

8. Carrying Some Cash Is Still Useful in Germany

Germany has become much more card-friendly, and I personally use my card for most everyday purchases.

However, I still recommend keeping some cash in your wallet.

You may occasionally find a small restaurant, café, market stall, or other business that prefers cash or has restrictions on card payments.

Having around €20–€50 in cash can be surprisingly useful.

You probably won't need it every day, but there will eventually be a moment when you're glad you have it.



International student grocery shopping at a supermarket in Germany

9. Grocery Shopping in Germany Feels Different at First

German supermarkets can feel surprisingly different when you first arrive.

You normally need to bring or buy your own shopping bag, and many shopping carts require a €1 or €2 coin or a reusable shopping-cart token.

And then there is the checkout.

German supermarket cashiers can scan your groceries very quickly.

The first few times, you may feel like you're participating in a packing competition while desperately trying to put everything into your bag.

Don't worry. You get used to it!

Another thing worth learning is the German Pfand system.

Many bottles and cans include a deposit. You can return eligible containers to a machine, usually found inside or near a supermarket, and receive a voucher that can be used at the checkout.



10. You Don't Need to Prepare Everything Before Moving to Germany

Before moving abroad, it can feel like you need to have your entire new life organized before getting on the plane.

You don't.

Of course, important things such as your visa, initial accommodation, finances, health insurance, and essential documents should be prepared carefully.

But many parts of everyday life can be figured out after you arrive.

You will gradually learn which supermarket you prefer, how public transportation works, how to deal with German bureaucracy, where your packages disappear to, and why everyone keeps asking whether you have a Termin.

It takes time to build a normal life in a new country.

And that's completely normal.



Happy international student enjoying everyday life at a cafe in Germany

Final Thoughts: What I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Germany

Looking back, the things that surprised me most about studying in Germany were not necessarily the big things.

They were the everyday details.

Discovering that Sunday really means Sunday. Realizing that almost everything requires a Termin. Waiting patiently for the Ausländerbehörde. Checking physical letters. And finding out that a package can somehow reach a Packstation even though I was home.

These things can feel confusing when you first arrive, but eventually they simply become part of everyday life in Germany.

If I could give one piece of advice to a new international student, it would be this:

Prepare the important things early, be patient with the things you cannot control, and give yourself time to adjust.

You don't need to understand Germany perfectly from day one.

Most of us learn how things work simply by living here.



FAQ: Studying and Living in Germany as an International Student

Is Germany difficult for international students?

Germany can feel complicated at first because of bureaucracy, housing, language barriers, and unfamiliar systems. However, everyday life becomes much easier once you understand how things work and establish your own routine.

Do I need to speak German to study in Germany?

If your degree is taught in English, you may not need German for your university classes. However, basic German is extremely useful for everyday life, including appointments, official letters, doctors, housing, and administrative matters.

Are shops really closed on Sundays in Germany?

Most supermarkets, drugstores, shopping centers, and regular shops are closed on Sundays. Restaurants, cafés, some bakeries, petrol stations, and certain shops at major train stations and airports may remain open.

What should international students prepare before moving to Germany?

Your visa or residence requirements, initial accommodation, finances, health insurance, and essential documents should be prepared carefully. You don't need to understand every part of German daily life before arriving — many things become easier once you are actually here.


Happy international student walking through a German city


More Guides for International Students in Germany

If you're preparing to study or live in Germany, you may also find these guides helpful:

I share these guides based on my own experience living and studying in Germany, and I'll continue adding practical tips for international students adjusting to life here.

Comments

Post a Comment