Practical Information
Important Information
Insurances
For you, as a regularly enrolled student, holding a German health insurance policy is mandatory. Prior to your arrival in Frankfurt (Oder), you must obtain such a policy from a statutory German health insurance provider. Once you are insured, the company will send an electronic confirmation directly to our enrollment office. There are multiple statutory health insurance companies in Germany and you can select any of them, however, we generally recommend either AOK Nordost or Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) as we and our students have had great experience cooperating with them.
In Germany, the summer semester starts on April 1 and ends on September 30. Even if you, as a participant in our Summer Courses 2025, arrive only in June, the full enrollment fee must be paid and health insurance must be valid for the entire period from April 1 to September 30, 2025. These are legal requirements, as enrollment cannot be completed otherwise.
Please do not buy a health insurance in your home country as those usually do not comply with the legal requirements and, therefore, are not accepted!
You can find all the necessary information under this link.
If you have any question regarding your health insurance, please don't hesitate to contact us.
In addition to the travel heatlh insurance we recommend you to contract a travelers third party liability insurance to be covered in case of a damage or accident.
Ticket for Public Transport
Once you arrive, you will gain access to the digital semester ticket for public transportation, known as the "Deutschlandticket". This ticket provides unlimited access to Germany's extensive public transportation network, including regional trains, buses, trams and subways. For more information, including details about its validity, please check this link.
Please note: The "Deutschlandticket" is available online once students are fully enrolled. If there are any issues that can only be resolved upon arrival and you are unable to access the ticket in advance, you may need to purchase your own tickets for the journey from the airport to your accommodation or the university.
For scheduling information, you can check:
- Berlin Public Transport - BVG
- Google Maps or Apple Maps for directions
Meals
The campus of the European University Viadrina boasts a cafeteria offering a variety of regional, healthy and delicious meals. The menu caters to diverse preferences, featuring options with meat, fish, as well as vegetarian and vegan choices. Additionally, a quaint university café provides a selection of sandwiches, snacks, and sweets. Adjacent to the campus, a multitude of restaurants awaits, especially within the nearby shopping centre, providing a wide array of dining choices.
Arrival at BER Airport
Luggage Information
Your checked baggage may occasionally go astray. Typically, it's returned within one or two days following your arrival. For this reason, it's advisable to pack essential documents, important items (such as glasses, medications), and a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage.
Should your baggage fail to arrive in Berlin upon your arrival, kindly proceed directly to the Lost & Found office at BER airport or reach out to us for assistance. Provide them with our office address and contact number for the delivery of your belongings:
Europa-Universität Viadrina
Department of International Affairs
Große Scharrnstraße 59
15230 Frankfurt (Oder)
Tel.: +49 335 5534 2485
From BER Airport to Berlin/Frankfurt (Oder)
Regional Train: A fast and convenient way to reach Berlin's city center is offered by the Airport Express train (FEX), which departs at BER Airport Terminal 1-2 and travels via Ostkreuz to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. This service is enhanced by the regional line RE8 (towards “Wismar, Bahnhof”) and RB23 (towards Potsdam, Golm Bahnhof).
Get off at one of the train stations listed under the section "on the way to the University" and change to the RE1 train to reach Frankfurt (Oder).
Berlin ↔ Frankfurt (Oder)
On the way to the University:
Take the Regional train RE1 from one of the following stations in Berlin
- Berlin Hauptbahnhof
- Friedrichstraße Bahnhof
- Alexanderplatz Bahnhof
- Ostbahnhof
- Ostkreuz
in the direction of "Frankfurt (Oder), Bahnhof" (terminal).
Please note that there are also ICE/IC/EC trains on this route, but they are not covered by the "Deutschlandticket".
What to bring along on the first day(s)
It's advisable to have cash with you upon arrival for (unexpected) expenses like tickets and meals. Upon your arrival, you'll receive a city map and essential information. Rest assured, Frankfurt (Oder) boasts a manageable size, making navigation and understanding transportation systems relatively straightforward.
Additional helpful information
- We highly recommend participants in the program to consider obtaining a mobile phone contract or addendum that allows for the use of mobile data (internet) within the EU during their stay. Public Wi-Fi is usually available only at selected public spaces. Therefore, having a reliable mobile data connection can be beneficial for staying connected while on the move.
- Credit Card or ATM Card: Please notify your bank or the credit card company that issued your card and make sure that your card can be used in Europe.
- Bring enough cash (in Euro) to cover any additional expenses during the first days.
- Any medication you may need for the full duration for your stay. It will not necessarily be possible to obtain the identical medication here. If you bring prescription medicine, you should also bring a copy of the prescription.
- Adapters for electrical devices: Please be aware that certain international electrical appliances (e.g., US, UK) may not be compatible with German electrical outlets.