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Short answer: Register within 14 days at one of Leipzig's twelve Bürgerbüros, with an appointment. Then: apply online to Leipzig's foreigners' authority right after you enrol, uploading your documents as PDFs. Budget for rent of about €405 a month.
| Register your address | Register within 14 days at one of Leipzig's twelve Bürgerbüros, with an appointment. University of Leipzig: first steps in Leipzig (Sept 2024) |
|---|---|
| Residence permit office | Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' authority) of the City of Leipzig |
| Typical rent | about €405 a month (average room in a shared flat, summer semester 2025 (Moses Mendelssohn Institut / WG-Gesucht, reported by Die Sachsen); a newer city figure was not published) |
| 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 Leipzig
- Deadline: within 14 days of arriving.
- Where: any of the twelve Bürgerbüros; the main office on Otto-Schill-Straße has the longest opening hours.
- Appointment: book online; according to the University of Leipzig, new slots are released every day at 5 p.m.
- Bring: passport and the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).
- Online registration started in October 2025, but it needs a German ID card with an activated online function, so new non-EU students register in person.
- Tip: put your full name on the mailbox: your tax ID comes by post.
After registering you receive the registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung); your tax ID and a broadcasting fee letter follow by post.
Step 2: residence permit in Leipzig
Office: Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' authority) of the City of Leipzig.
- How: online application with all documents as PDF files; after the decision you are invited by email to give your biometric data.
- Documents: passport, study visa, rental contract with landlord confirmation, proof of health insurance, enrolment certificate, proof of money (blocked account: €992 a month in 2026) and the signed instruction form.
- Rental contract: the University of Leipzig notes it should cover your intended stay.
- Timing: about 4–6 weeks to a decision and up to 12 weeks in total; a Fiktionsbescheinigung covers you meanwhile.
- Fees: check the current fee with the office; first permits cost about €100 in most German cities.
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 Leipzig
The calculator starts with Leipzig'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
- University of Leipzig: first steps in Leipzig (Sept 2024) (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- University of Leipzig: residence permit guide (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.