International Office
Welcome to the MPIPZ
The International Office is the central point of contact for students and researchers from abroad and offers support with a wide range of services.
Services
Visa Application
To work in Germany, you have to comply with legally required formalities, which may differ depending on your country of origin, the length of your stay, and whether or not you intend to bring your family.
Should you need a visa to enter Germany, the German Federal Foreign Office’s site provides information on getting visa and where to find a German Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/einreiseundaufenthalt/visabestimmungen-node
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/AAmt/Auslandsvertretungen/Uebersicht_node.html
We recommend you to contact your nearest embassy or consulate with your invitation letter and apply in good time, i.e. 4 months in advance.
If you have further questions regarding the visa application process, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Accommodation
For your initial stay in Cologne you may book an Institute´s apartment or guest room, subject to availability and for a maximum period of 6 months. Please contact the Departmental Offices for booking and cancellation periods (at least one month).
Registration and getting settled
When living in Germany, you are obliged to register with the registration office of your residential quarter within the first week after your arrival. You would also need to open a bank account, take a health insurance and apply for a residence permit (if necessary). Please feel free to contact the International Office to get assistance with these processes.
German health insurance
You are obliged to have health insurance during your stay in Germany. EU nationals with a valid EHIC card should contact their health insurer before leaving their home country to make sure that the health coverage is guaranteed while in Germany. EU nationals without a valid EHIC card and non-EU nationals have to get health insurance coverage in Germany.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to find a suitable health insurance after your arrival.
German language courses
German language courses for beginners and advanced learners are offered by our institute. They are free of charge and meet once a week for 90 minutes. If you are interested in taking part in a language course, please contact us.
Useful links
For public transportation (KVB) in Cologne you can check the following link:
For the city of Cologne/Town Hall etc.:
For information, and what’s going on in Cologne (cinema, events etc.):
https://termine.koeln.de/koeln