Family

The University of Rostock puts great emphasis on the compatibility of studies, career and family. It has been certified as a "family-friendly university" since 2009 and strives for continuous improvement in this area. The Family Office was created in 2017 as the central point of contact and mediation.

The International Welcome Center will also be pleased to help with family issues. Here you will find basic information and links to various areas.

Entry and residence for family members

Certain conditions apply for family reunification in Germany.

  • Depending on their nationality, your family members may also require visas and residence permits for (longer-term) stays in Rostock.
  • In general, the consent of the responsible foreigners authority in Germany is required. The responsible foreigners authority is the one of the place where the foreigner wishes to reside. In Rostock, this is the Migration Office.
  • Just like you, your spouse and children must register in the local office (“Ortsamt”).

The following pages give a good overview of the different requirements and procedures:

Required documents

Depending on your personal circumstances, you will need various documents to apply for a visa or residence permit, and for registering at the local office and migration office. These may be the following, for example:

  • Proof of “sufficient living space” (§ 2(4) AufenthG)
  • Proof of financial means (§ 2(3) AufenthG)
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Proof of familial relationships (e.g. birth certificate of the child)
  • Proof of language skills
Childcare and schooling

The Federal Government's portal https://www.make-it-in-germany.com offers a very good overview in various languages on the topics of

The portal website of the City of Rostock offers an overview of day-care centres (“Kitas”) and schools in Rostock. Further information about this can also be found on the Town Hall website.

On the website of the State Government you will find an information brochure for immigrated parents on the subject of schools, in various languages.

The family office at the University of Rostock will be pleased to help you search for special information for your situation and for registration in the institutions.

Notes and tips

State services for families

Families are supported by various different services in Germany. The most important ones are “Kindergeld” (child benefit) and “Elterngeld” (parental allowance). A good overview of the various different services and conditions is provided by

Also take a look at our section Financing for general funding options, such as grants.

If you are severely challenged as a result of family obligations, you can, for example, apply for a bridging and graduation grant for junior scientists from the University of Rostock.

Leisure facilities for families

Take a look at our section Leisure for leisure activities for the whole family.

Work opportunities for partners
Central Placement Office of the Federal Employment Agency

The first point of contact on the subject of working in Germany is the “Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung” (ZAV), the international placement services arm at the “Bundesagentur für Arbeit” (Federal Employment Agency).

The most important information is summarised on a portal website. In addition to German, the portal is also available in English and Arabic. Telephone counselling is also available - even from abroad.

 

Bundesagentur für Arbeit


Agentur für Arbeit Rostock
Kopernikusstraße 1a
18057 Rostock

Website

Portal website of the Federal Employment Agency
Recognition of foreign qualifications

The information portal of the Federal Republic for Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications in Germany provides information on how and where people can have their profession or degree acquired abroad recognised.  The portal can be used in more than ten different languages and also offers opportunities for contact and personal counselling.

The University of Rostock was awarded the "audit familiengerechte hochschule" (family-friendly university audit) certificate by berufundfamilie gGmbH on 07.12.2009 and has since been repeatedly awarded this certificate.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about family.

Family Office of the University


Ariane Sennewald
Universitätshauptgebäude (R 015)
Universitätsplatz 1
18055 Rostock

Tel.: +49 (0) 381 498 1316
ariane.sennewald@uni-rostock.de

Website of the Family Office