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Short answer: Register within 2 weeks; extra same-day appointments appear around 7:45 a.m. Then: apply to the StädteRegion Aachen's foreigners' office before your visa expires. Budget for rent of about €415 + utilities for a 30 m² flat.
| Register your address | Register within 2 weeks; extra same-day appointments appear around 7:45 a.m. City of Aachen: residence registration |
|---|---|
| Residence permit office | Ausländeramt of the StädteRegion Aachen |
| Typical rent | about €415 + utilities for a 30 m² flat (small flats (30–49 m²) list at an average of €13.82 per m² before utilities in 2026 (miet-check.de); no published shared-flat average for Aachen) |
| Fixed monthly costs | ≈ €145 health insurance + your share of the €18.36 broadcasting fee + your university's semester fee (usually includes the Deutschlandticket) |
Step 1: register your address (Anmeldung) in Aachen
- Deadline: within two weeks of moving in (not before you move in).
- Appointment: book at aachen.de/terminvereinbarung or call +49 241 432-1234; additional same-day slots are usually released around 7:45 a.m.
- Where: Bürgerbüro Bahnhofplatz (Hackländerstraße 1), Bürgerbüro Katschhof (Johannes-Paul-II.-Straße 1) or a district office.
- Bring: passport and landlord confirmation. People arriving from abroad must come in person.
- Cost: free.
After registering you receive the registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung); your tax ID and a broadcasting fee letter follow by post.
Step 2: residence permit in Aachen
Office: Ausländeramt of the StädteRegion Aachen.
- Documents: passport with visa, biometric photo, enrolment certificate, proof of money (€992 a month), health insurance, application form.
- Fees: €100 for the first permit; extensions €93–96.
- Duration: usually up to 2 years. Being abroad for more than 6 months can make the permit expire.
- Work: up to 140 full days a year plus study-related internships.
Apply before your visa expires and keep proof that you did. Under § 81 (4) of the Residence Act, a timely application generally keeps your stay lawful until the office decides; ask for a provisional certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung) if you need proof.
Step 3: monthly budget in Aachen
The calculator starts with Aachen's rent figure. Change every field to your own situation; food, phone and other costs are example values. See also costs in other cities and health insurance.
- Rent:
- Semester fee:
Semester fee per month: … · Your share of the broadcasting fee: …
Total per month:
…
Sources
- City of Aachen: residence registration (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- StädteRegion Aachen: information sheet for students (Jan 2025) (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- Rent figures and their sources
General information, not legal advice. Rules and office procedures change; confirm with the office before you go.