Welcome to the University of Göttingen
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GUIDE FOR WELCOME TO THE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF GÖTTINGEN RESEARCHERS Words of Welcome by the Mayor 6 Words of Welcome by the President 7 EURAXESS – Researchers in Motion 8 Welcome Centre 9 CONTENTS 1 Welcome to the University of Göttingen 1.1 The University of Göttingen 11 1.2 A Place where Free Spirits can Flourish 12 1.3 The 20th Century and Today 12 1.4 Looking into the Future 13 WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY 1.5 The University of Göttingen – A Global Player 13 OF GÖTTINGEN 1.6 Göttingen Campus 15 2 Welcome to Göttingen 2.1 A Town in the Heart of Europe 21 2.2 A Vibrant University Town with International Flair 22 2.3 Göttingen – City of Culture 23 2.4 Living your Religion 26 WELCOME TO GÖTTINGEN 2.5 Surroundings 27 3 Facilities and Institutions at the University 3.1 Language Courses 29 3.2 Libraries 30 3.3 Refectories and Cafeterias 31 3.4 Computer and Network Access 34 FACILITIES AND INSTITUTIONS 3.5 University Sport: “Keep Moving” 34 AT THE UNIVERSITY 3.6 International Communities 35 4 A Road Map for Your Research Visit 4.1 Checklist 37 A ROAD MAP FOR YOUR RESEARCH VISIT 4.2 Important Documents 38 5 Entry and Residence in Germany 9.4 Tax Return 85 5.1 Visa and Entry 41 TAXATION IN GERMANY 9.5 Church Tax and Solidarity Surcharge 87 5.2 Registering at the Residents’ Registration Office 45 ENTRY AND RESIDENCE 5.3 Extending a Visa in Applying for a Residence Permit 46 10 Research Visit with a Family IN GERMANY 5.4 Employment Law Regulations 48 10.1 Entry Regulations for Family Members 89 6 Work and Research at the University 10.2 Childcare 89 10.3 Schools 92 6.1 Employment Contract or Appointment 51 10.4 Benefits for Families 94 6.2 Visiting Fellowships 54 RESEARCH VISIT WITH A FAMILY 10.5 Employment Opportunities for Partners 97 WORK AND RESEARCH 6.3 Intellectual Property 55 10.6 Dual Career Service 98 AT THE UNIVERSITY 6.4 Researchers with Special Needs 56 11 Living in Germany 7 Accommodation in Germany 11.1 Doctors and Health 101 7.1 The Housing Market in Göttingen 59 11.2 Emergency Telephone Numbers 106 7.2 Searching for Accommodation 59 ACCOMMODATION IN GERMANY 11.3 Banks and Sparkassen 108 8 Social Security in Germany 11.4 Public Library 111 11.5 Public Transport 112 8.1 A Brief Introduction 67 11.6 Your own Vehicle and Driving Licence 114 8.2 Health Insurance 68 11.7 Radio, Television, Telephone, and Internet 119 LIVING IN GERMANY 8.3 Pension Scheme 76 11.8 Religion 121 8.4 Unemployment Insurance 78 11.9 Public Holidays 123 SOCIAL SECURITY IN GERMANY 8.5 Accident Insurance 79 11.10 Good to Know – A to Z of Useful Information 124 8.6 Nursing Care Insurance 80 11.11 Small Language Guide for Germany 140 8.7 Other Branches of Insurance 81 12 Before leaving Germany 9 Taxation in Germany 12.1 Checklist 147 BEFORE LEAVING GERMANY 9.1 Research Visit Based on a Fellowship 83 TAXATION IN GERMANY 9.2 Research Visit Based on an Employment Contract 84 Index 149 9.3 Double Taxation Agreements 85 Photo Credits 154 Imprint 154 WELCOME TO GÖTTINGEN! WELCOME TO THE GÖTTINGEN CAMPUS Dear international researchers, essential services. In Göttingen, not only It’s a great pleasure to welcome you at We hope that you will have a pleasant do you get access to world class education our University and invite you to discover stay in Göttingen both in terms of your On behalf of the entire city, it is my and research opportunities, you also get the unique academic environment of the academic and your personal life. We are pleasure to welcome you to Göttingen – to enjoy the lively cultural and social life Göttingen Campus and the city. confident that Göttingen will soon become the City of Science! that the city has to offer. Our day care From the very beginning, the University of your second home. Göttingen enjoys an excellent reputation and school facilities have an outstanding Göttingen was committed to the academic Enjoy the comfort and safety of a small as a city dedicated to science and research. reputation. So do our medical care and freedom and creativity in research and town which nonetheless has a lot to Thanks to its leading research facilities and sport infrastructure. teaching. Established in the age of offer. Get inspired walking down the unique academic environment, Göttingen As Mayor of the city, I hope you will soon Enlightment, the University of Göttingen streets, where over 40 Nobel laureates attracts some of the world’s leading feel at home here. I also hope you will was one of Europe’s first universities to lived, studied and pursued their research. academics and experts. take advantage of the opportunities abandon the supremacy of theology, Don’t miss the theatre plays, the music We are glad you chose to come to Göttingen offers and invite you to discover achieve equality of all faculties and concerts and all other performances that Göttingen to conduct your research at the the historically rich city of Göttingen and establish the freedom from censorship. The are regularly offered in Göttingen. Situated distinguished Georg-August-Universität the magnificent region of southern Lower inscription of the founding medal of the right at the heart of Germany and Europe, Göttingen, often also called Georgia Saxony, famous for its wonderfully diverse University says: In Publica Commoda - For Göttingen is the perfect starting point to Augusta. landscape and friendly, open-minded the Good of All. This is our mission until explore German and European culture. Founded in 1737, the University of people. today. This handbook has been prepared to Göttingen has shaped the town’s character I wish you all a very pleasant and successful The University´s modern profile remains answer the questions you might have. We ever since. The University, its students, stay in Göttingen! rooted in its rich tradition with a strong hope it helps you adjusting to your new scientists and staff are the heart of the city. emphasis on research-oriented teaching life. If you have any questions, we are more Kind regards We highly value the cosmopolitan flair and excellence. The University of Göttingen than happy to help you! international guests bring to the city. is one of the top research universities in Göttingen has never been more diverse Germany. than at the present time: people from We highly value your decision to come to more than 160 different countries live here. Göttingen. The academic world constantly Our city is just as diverse, when it comes Rolf-Georg Köhler needs new talents, new ideas and Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Ulrike Beisiegel to its various social amenities and other Mayor of Göttingen international intellectual exchange. President, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen 6 7 EURAXESS – RESEARCHERS IN MOTION WELCOME CENTRE What is EURAXESS Germany? outgoing, returning), dealing with entry, EURAXESS Germany The Welcome Centre is the central service • Information on language courses WELCOME CENTRE working, social security, taxation, and facility for internationally mobile researchers • Companion service to visit local authorities EURAXESS - Researchers in Motion is a • Initial information for researchers on the Von-Siebold-Straße 2, 37075 Göttingen practical issues, as well as frequently themes mentioned above and scholars at the University of Göttingen. • Assistance in finding child care facilities or Phone +49 (0)551/39-21352 unique pan-European initiative providing asked questions and answers We will gladly support you in getting schools for your children • Mediating contacts to individual E-Mail: [email protected] access to a complete range of information established and in preparing for your stay • Info meetings on different topics, e.g. on • One of the most comprehensive funding universities and research institutions in Internet: www.uni-goettingen.de/welcome and support services to researchers here in Göttingen. taxes and insurance databases for researchers in Germany Germany wishing to pursue their research careers in • Town, campus, and library tours, excursions • A free, Europe-wide job portal in We are there for you in order to assist you Europe or stay connected to it. • Mediating contacts to partners in the and events for international researchers Nadine Dreyer which researchers can post their CVs from the very beginning and make your 40 countries are involved. The EURAXESS EURAXESS network in other countries and their families Head of the Welcome Centre and institutions can advertise vacant landing to Göttingen as smooth as possible. Phone +49 (0)551/39-21331 network typically comprises a central • Networking and continuing education • Facilitating contact to other international positions No matter if you are here for only a month [email protected] organisation in each country that events for “researcher advisers” at or have been appointed to a permanent scholars coordinates the activities in that country • Check lists for getting started in universities and research institutions in position. We provide research, information, Heidemarie Hopf and maintains contact with the central Germany Germany (up to twice a year) and targeted assistance regarding all areas Please get in touch with us as early as Researcher advisor organizations in the other countries as • Networking between EURAXESS Service and topics of importance for your stay in possible. It will take you just a few minutes Phone +49 (0)551/39-21336 well as with the European Commission. Interplay between Welcome Centres Centres and the Europe-wide EURAXESS Göttingen. Additionally we offer Dual Career to complete and submit the questionnaire [email protected] In addition, numerous universities and and EURAXESS Germany: network Service for newly appointed professors.