The University of Duisburg-Essen Guide for International Researchers 3

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Guide for International Researchers Guide for

Welcome to the University of Duisburg-Essen Guide for International Researchers 3

Welcome to the University of Duisburg-Essen

Guide for International Researchers

This guide has been compiled in collaboration with Technische Universität Dortmund and Ruhr-Universität Bochum. We should also like to thank EURAXESS Germany and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) for their contribution to content. 4 Foreword 5

Dear visiting researchers,

Welcome to the University of Duisburg-Essen. I am contribution not only to research and teaching but delighted that you have chosen our university for also to our university’s sense of community. And it is your teaching and research visit and sincerely hope very important to us that you – and your families – that the time you spend here will not only be success- feel at home here. We shall therefore do everything ful academically, but also an enriching and enjoyable we can to make the preparations for your stay in experience. Germany as straightforward as possible: the team at our International Office will be pleased to help you. The University of Duisburg-Essen owes its existence to the merger of the two universities in Duisburg There is lots to discover outside the university as and Essen in 2003. It is thus the youngest, but also well: Duisburg and Essen are part of the Ruhr Met- one of the ten largest universities in Germany with ropolitan Area, which is home to some five million some 40,000 students. Furthermore, it has earned people, and has a wealth of cultural and leisure-time itself a place amongst the world’s 100 best young activities on offer. Follow the trail of the coal and universities (THE Rankings). In our eleven faculties steel industries, go to the theatre and concerts or just we offer approximately 200 Bachelor’s and Master’s enjoy the many green spaces in the towns along the courses covering a broad spectrum of subjects. And Rhine and Ruhr to gain your very own impression we are strong in research, as evidenced by our five of the Ruhr Area. key, interdisciplinary research areas: Nano¬sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Urban Systems, Change of With every good wish for your stay at the University Contemporary Societies and Empirical Research in of Duisburg-Essen and in our region, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Radtke, Education. Rector of the University of Duisburg-Essen

The motto of the University of Duisburg-Essen is “Open-Minded”. We have consequently chosen to follow a cosmopolitan, international course. By coming here as a visiting researcher and sharing your ideas and experience with us, you are making an important Ulrich Radtke 6 Foreword 7

Other must-dos on your explorations of our town I am sure even this brief introduction to the life of include the Zoo, the Landscape Park Duisburg Nord Duisburg has given you a taster of how multifaceted and the Inner Harbour as well as the 200 or so hect- and exciting the city is, and I am sure you will soon ares of the Sportpark Wedau, the Rheinpark in Hoch- feel at home here. I wish you all the very best for a feld and the large-scale installation known as “Tiger good start and successful future in Duisburg. On and Turtle – Magic Mountain”. behalf of the entire city, allow me to welcome you to Duisburg! To make it easier for you to find your way around, the Duisburg municipal authorities run “Call Duisburg”, a telephone service (0203 94000) where you can get general information on municipal authorities’ du- ties and services as well as information on various issues and topics. You can access round-the-clock information, recommendations and news relating to Duisburg on the town’s website www.duisburg. de or the “what’s on” portal www.duisburgnonstop. Sören Link Welcome to Duisburg! de/site_en/.

It is my great honour and pleasure as Mayor of Duis- I should like to invite you to use the opportunity of burg to welcome visiting researchers from all over your stay here to get to know our city better, which the world to the University of Duisburg-Essen. With does not just benefit from its central position between nearly 40,000 students attending more than 100 the idyllic Lower Rhine region, the pulsating city Sören Link, courses, our university is one of the largest institu- landscape of the Ruhr Metropolitan Area and the Mayor of Duisburg tions of higher education in Germany, an important towns along the Rhine. Duisburg also has a great vari- driver of structural development and one of the top ety of cultural, sporting and leisure activities on offer, performers in the region. But it is not only the univer- including nationally-respected institutions like the sity that makes Duisburg an attractive, lively location, Lembruck, DKM and Küppersmühle museums, the much appreciated by the overwhelming majority of Duisburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the Theater its inhabitants. der Stadt Duisburg, which is one of the homes of the opera company, Deutsche Oper am Rhein. 8 Foreword 9

Essen is a good place to live, learn and do research: The new university quarter – “grüne mitte Essen” – has excellent transport connections, is within walking In addition to its university collaborations with Es- distance of the city centre with its state-of-the-art sen’s partner cities of Nizhny Novgorod, Tel Aviv shopping centre, Limbecker Platz, a wealth of cultural and Tampere, the University of Duisburg-Essen has activities and restaurants in the immediate vicinity as connections with over a hundred partner universities. well as a network of cyclepaths and footpaths to all Contacts and strategic partnerships also exist with parts of the city and local recreational areas. Everyone global corporations and innovative medium-sized can find what they need – which makes the living enterprises based in Essen as well as with Essen Ex- relaxed and tolerant. hibition Centre. The creative energy the two universities in Essen The economic infrastructure of the Ruhr Metropol- and Duisburg have drawn from their merger is quite itan Area is wide open to the research and science unique. They have been guided by the maxim that conducted at the university and we are continually many things are much better done together! This expanding this locational advantage. So the Universi- holds true for you, our visiting researchers, as well: ty of Duisberg-Essen is exactly the right place for you! here you will be integrated in first-class research teams whilst our research will benefit from your ex- Over a period of many years, various productive col- pertise and your personality. Welcome to the heart of the Ruhr laborations have developed between the City of Essen and the university, such as the Ruhrmuseum, which is Even if modern IT means that we can make contact Metropolitan Area! located on the spectacular UNESCO world heritage with people in the farthest reaches of our planet, there site, the Zollverein coal mine, the municipal archives is no substitute for personal experience, encounters and the adult education centre (“Volkshochschule and relations. Come and live and work with us here Dear guests at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen”) as well as the Old Synagogue. in our midst! Thomas Kufen, Mayor of Essen As the Mayor of Essen I am very pleased that you The University of Duisburg-Essen is not only right up Welcome to Essen! have decided to choose our campus as your place of amongst the top universities in Germany, its scientific learning and research. We are curious to make your dynamism is prized across the world. In the 2015 QS acquaintance! University Rankings for the best universities under 50, UDE is to be found amongst the top 100. Ihr Thomas Kufen 10 Content 11

Content

1. University of Duisburg-Essen 3. Duisburg and Essen – in the heart of the Ruhr Area

1.1. UDE: “Open-Minded” 15 3.1. The Ruhr Metropolitan Area 59 1.2. International Office 16 3.2. Ruhr culture in figures 62 1.3. The Science Support Centre: our service for your research 18 3.3. Duisburg – living between the Rhine & the Ruhr 63 1.4. University Alliance Ruhr 19 3.4. Essen – Industrial heritage & nature 68 2. Practical Services at UDE 4. Formalities at a glance

2.1. Ways to enrol at UDE 21 4.1. Check lists 75 2.2. UDE ID-cards and FirmenTicket 23 4.2. Important documents 77 2.3. Language courses 28 4.3. EURAXESS – the network of European Mobility Centres 78 2.4. Computer and internet access 29 2.5. University Library Duisburg-Essen 32 5. Entry and Residence 2.6. Sports at the university 36 5.1. Visa and Entry 81 2.7 In-house training and professional development 37 5.2. Registering at the “Einwohnermeldeamt” (Residents’ Registration Office) 84 2.8 Community outreach 38 5.3. Residence permit 86 2.9 Diversity and equal opportunities 40 5.4. Employment Law Regulations 90 2.10 Alumni and supporters 41 2.11 Canteens and cafeterias 43 6. Accommodation 2.12 Culture at UDE 47 6.1. The rented property market 93 2.13 UDE site maps and abbreviations 50 6.2. Finding accommodation 94 6.3. Local accommodation providers 95 12 Content 13

7. Working and Research at University 11. Living in Germany

7.1. Employment Contract or Appointment 101 11.1. Doctors and health 137 7.2. Visiting Fellowships 103 11.2. Emergency telephone numbers 139 7.3. Intellectual Property 104 11.3. Banks and “Sparkassen” 140 11.4. Public libraries 141 8. Social Security in Germany 11.5. Public transport 142 8.1. Research visit based on an employment contract 107 11.6. Your own vehicle 146 8.2. Research visit based on a fellowship 114 11.7. Internet, telecommunications, TV 148 11.8. Religion 150 9. Taxation in Germany 11.9. Public holidays 151 9.1. Research Stay Based on a Scholarship 119 11.10. Good to know – A to Z of useful information 152 9.2. 120 Research Stay Based on an Employment Contract 12. Before you leave Germany ... 9.3. Double Taxation Agreements 121 9.4. Tax Return 122 12.1 Check list 157 9.5. Church Tax 123 13. Index 10. Bringing your family on a research stay 14. Imprint 10.1. Child care 125 10.2. Schools 128 10.3. Family Benefits 130 10.4. Employment opportunities for partners 134 14 1 University of Duisburg-Essen 15

1.1 UDE: “Open-Minded”

The University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) is located The range of research at UDE embraces cross-depart- in the region with the highest density of institutions mental clusters with defined profile areas and a broad University of of higher education in all of Europe. About 40,000 variety of other specialised and interdisciplinary re- students are enrolled here, well over 4,000 academic search areas. Their excellent performance manifests and non-academic staff are employed at our univer- itself in Collaborative Research Centres, graduate sity, which is one of the largest in the country. It is schools as well as other peer-reviewed programmes Duisburg-Essen also the youngest full university, created in 2003 by and internationally renowned awards. the merger of the universities of Duisburg and Essen, both founded in 1972. Its motto “Open-Minded” is Our Ruhr Area alliance with the universities in Bo- emblematic of UDE: we think in terms of opportuni- chum and Dortmund (UA Ruhr, see Chapter 1.4) ties rather than limitations and promote the exchange extends the range of subjects and strengthens the of knowledge, perspectives and talents. status of the Ruhr Area as a location for education and research. Our research and teaching are based on a wide range of subjects in eleven faculties, ranging from our well-established humanities, social sciences and economics/business administration to our repu- table engineering and natural sciences, including medicine. Our broad academic spectrum straddles two campuses, each with its specific focal areas. The For an overview of research and social sciences, natural sciences and engineering are research areas at the University of concentrated in Duisburg, whilst humanities and Duisburg-Essen, visit: life sciences as well as medicine are located in Essen. Each campus has its own economics faculty. www.uni-due.de/en/research.php www.uni-due.de/imperia/md/ content/dokumente/datenundfakten/ daten_und_fakten.pdf 16 1 University of Duisburg-Essen 17

1.2 International Office Your contacts at the Welcome Service

Campus Essen Ms. Carla Gierich Dear reader, Universitätsstr. 15 Room V15 S00 D07 As head of department in the International Office, We support you in the preparation and implemen- 45117 Essen I should like to welcome you to the University of tation of your stay in Duisburg und Essen. We are Duisburg-Essen on behalf of the entire team. happy to inform and advise international researchers +49 (0)201 183-2379 as well as the departments, faculties and institutes [email protected] If you are coming to the University of Duisburg-Es- which host them, in a joint effort to help our guests Mr. Udo Rasum sen from abroad to do a Ph.D. or conduct research, cut through red tape and deal with everyday prob- Universitätsstr. 15 you have certainly chosen the right place! The Inter- lems. In our role as the central advisory office and the Room V15 S00 D09 national Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt, AAA) Euraxess Service Centre for internationally mobile 45117 Essen is the central service hub for international relations researchers, we want to help you enjoy your stay with at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE). As the us at the university and in the Ruhr Metropolitan Our welcome services at a glance: +49 (0)201 183-3745 university’s competence centre for all international Area. [email protected] matters, we are here to support international stu- » Individual advice and support by e-mail, » Events for networking with other international dents, Ph.D. candidates and researchers. We will be pleased to answer your questions. Give telephone and face-to-face researchers, seminars on topics such as taxes and Campus Duisburg us a call, email us or drop round in person. You can » Guidance on formal matters such as entry visa, pensions etc. Ms. Eugenia Dahl The International Office provides targeted support on find us on both campuses, Duisburg and Essen. We residence permit, registration, health Petra Günther, Geibelstr. 41 a variety of important aspects related to your stay and are looking forward to meeting you and assisting you insurance In order to benefit from our service in the best » Preparing administrative steps (Immigration Room SG 53 Head of Department, International Office life in a new environment. We helped put together in your endeavours. possible way, you can register via our online form 47057 Duisburg this Guide to give you an overview of our services, Office, Citizens’ Office) and thus provide us with important information » +49 (0)203 379-3106 prepare you for the first steps, and offer you advice Kind regards, Information on finding accommodation about your stay in advance: https://unidue.moveon » [email protected] and encouragement. Advice on family matters 4.de/form/583831a784fb96c846e7af00/eng » Enrolment of Ph.D. candidates » Information about the UDE guest card Welcome Service » Help with scholarship payments, such as www.uni-due.de/welcome-service/en Petra Günther DAAD etc. » Support for host departments, faculties and institutes 18 1 University of Duisburg-Essen 19

1.3 The Science Support Centre: 1.4 University Alliance Ruhr our service for your research Under the motto “Better together”, Ruhr University Its eleven Collaborative Research Centres financed Bochum, TU Dortmund University and the Uni- by the German Research Foundation (DFG), one The Science Support Centre (SSC) is a central fa- In the case of multi-party projects, in particular, we versity of Duisburg-Essen have joined forces in the Cluster of Excellence, numerous graduate schools cility at the University of Duisburg-Essen. It helps provide intensive assistance and support for grant University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr). Since 2007, the and research groups make the University Alliance researchers at the university to apply for and acquire applications. The spectrum of services ranges from three large universities in the Ruhr Area have been Ruhr one of the largest and most high-performance third-party funding and also provides professional initial counselling through coordinating with internal pooling their skills and enhancing their performance science locations in Germany. A total of five universi- support in transferring research results and market- and external committees, writing and compiling the potential. ties, 16 universities of applied sciences and numerous ing knowledge (inventions and patents). Our motto: grant application, budgeting and data entry for online non-university research institutions bear witness to “You do the research – we do the rest!” applications all the way to the final submission of the The figures are indicative of the partners’ collective the Ruhr Area’s transformation from a former coal application. diversity and strength: more than 110,000 young and steel district into a new and unique powerhouse people and almost 10,000 academics study, do re- of science. Research support – from idea to grant search and work in a network that spans three uni- approval Mediators between science and versities and a broad range of subjects embracing all And this powerhouse is just firing up – for instance, industry disciplines from the humanities and social scienc- the three universities in the Ruhr Area operate the In- The Science Support Centre informs, advises and es through the natural sciences and engineering to stitute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI) guides researchers across the entire spectrum of na- In addition to our research support, we also have a medicine. The Stiftung Mercator provides significant in Essen and they maintain a presence in the United tional and international grant opportunities for basic department for research transfer services. We en- financial support for this collaboration within UA States, Latin America and Russia with their joint and applied research. This applies to individual grants sure compliance with legal obligations pertaining Ruhr. liaison offices in New York, Rio de Janeiro/São Paulo for various needs (e.g. personnel support, confer- to science transfer and patenting as well as with the and Moscow in order to promote scientific exchange ences, equipment), small and medium-sized joint requirements of the state government. In addition, with the Ruhr Area and build a global network for projects as well as large, integrated or collaborative the department also supports cooperation between the alliance. projects. SSC staff advise the university’s scientists on science and industry, in particular in collaborative matters like grant-writing, identifying the right sup- projects such as HORIZON 2020, patent and ex- Science Support Centre port programmes for their project ideas, and finding ploitation activities, as well as marketing research Universitätsallianz Ruhr national as well as international partners. results (trade fairs, support for internal events, and Head: Dr. Anke Hellwig research publications, such as the research report and www.uaruhr.de/index.html.en +49 (0)201 183-2751 science journal UNIKATE). [email protected] 20 2 Practical Services at UDE 21

2.1 Ways to enrol at UDE

We appreciate your interest in pursuing your doctorate or post-doctoral studies here at UDE. In order to become a researcher at UDE, you will have to take the steps described below.

North Rhine-Westphalia

Dortmund Essen Germany Practical Services Bochum Duisburg at UDE Ruhr Area 22 2 Practical Services at UDE 23

Contact for prospective Ph.D. Joining UDE as a prospective Ph.D. 2.2 UDE ID-cards and FirmenTicket Staff ID application form candidates at UDE candidate www.uni-due.de/verwaltung/dienstausweis.php Ms. Eugenia Dahl Prospective Ph.D. candidates must identify a supervi- » As a Ph.D. candidate, you have the option of en- Geibelstr. 41 sor and propose a scientific topic on their own rolling and taking advantage of the benefits of Room SG 53 initiative. If your proposal is accepted, your student status. For questions about enrolment, Staff ID for employees Your contacts for a staff ID 47057 Duisburg host institute has to send the following please contact Eugenia Dahl. Please also see Campus Duisburg +49 (0)203 379-3106 documents by e-mail to the International Chapter 2.2. Each employee receives a staff ID for the duration of You will need a passport photo, an application form Helga Berg [email protected] Office for formal examination: his/her employment. Other “members” of the uni- and confirmation of the duration of your employ- Geibelstr. 41 versity as per article 9 paragraph 4 Hochschulgesetz ment. You can obtain the application form and the » Letter of academic supervision from the SG 152 Formal examination of your documents Joining UDE as a post-doc (University Law) do not receive a staff ID. This applies employment confirmation from your contact in faculty supervisor at UDE to part-time, temporary or visiting UDE staff who the Personnel and Organisation Department. You 47057 Duisburg » 0203 379-1869 [email protected] Copy of the bachelor degree certificate and Please direct your enquiry directly to the do not receive any remuneration from the regional will probably receive both doc-uments when you 0203 379-1379 the corresponding transcript, including department, institute or faculty which you are authority, Landesamt für Besoldung und Versorgung sign your employment contract/upon your [email protected] German or English translation interested in joining: www.uni-due.de/en/ NRW (LBV). appointment. » Copy of the master degree certificate and the faculties.php Nadine Gorny corresponding transcript, including German The staff ID, which is a multi-functional chip card, Please note that staff IDs are only valid for the Geibelstr. 41 or English translation Once you have been accepted by the department, serves as your dura-tion of the respective employment contract. SG 196 » You can submit your application at any time institute, faculty or personnel department, you will If your fixed-term contract is extended, you do not 47057 Duisburg (except graduate schools). receive an official invitation or letter of acceptance »» time-recording card (if you are on flexitime) have to apply for a new staff ID. Just present your 0203 379-2233 » If your thesis will be in a language other than from the University of Duisburg-Essen. Financial »» library card existing staff ID at the Registration Office in order 0203 379-1379 German, you will also need written confirmation matters should be clarified prior to your stay. The »» canteen card to have it extended until the end of your new [email protected] from the Ph.D. Committee stating the language letter of invitation should indicate the exact »» copying card contract. of your thesis. duration of your stay and the funding sources, as »» bus ticket for the shuttle bus between Duisburg Campus Essen » You can find the research focus areas of the in- well as the fact that the purpose of your stay in and Essen In case of loss or damage, you can apply for a new Regina Naber dividual faculties here: www.uni-due.de/en/ Germany is re-search or gainful employment as a ID. Universitätsstr. 15 faculties.php visiting researcher. This will facilitate your visa T03 R00 D04 » For an overview of graduate schools, visit: application. For further information, see Chapter 5 45141 Essen www.uni-due.de/en/ Visa and Entry as well as Chapter 7 Working and 0201 183-4357 research_dfg_postgraduate_programmes.php Research at University. 0201 183-2034 [email protected] 24 12 Practical Services at UDE 25

Visitor’s card for non-employees Student ID card for Ph.D. candidates

Visiting researchers who are not employed by UDE Ph.D. candidates who enrol at UDE receive a student can request a visitor’s card in addition to their Uni-ID ID with the following functionalities: when they register at the International Office. This multi-functional card will serve as your » library card » canteen card »» library card » copying card »» canteen card » bus ticket for the shuttle bus between Duisburg »» copying card and Essen »» bus ticket for the shuttle bus between Duisburg and Essen The student ID is valid for one semester upon »» Please complete the form “Antrag auf Ausstellung payment of the semester fee. After paying the eines Dienstausweises” (staff ID application) and CashCards are available from Student ID card semester fee, you will also receive a public submit it to Regina Naber at the Student Services transport ticket (bus, regional trains, S-Bahn, U- Campus Duisburg You will receive your student ID upon enrolment. Office on Campus Essen, indicating the date on Bahn), which you can access via the UDE app. Bettina Laube Eugenia Dahl which your stay is expected to end. If you have any InfoCenter eugenia.dahl questions about the visitor’s card, please contact CashCard (canteen card, print/copying WhiteCard (printing/copying card) @uni-due.de Building MM the Welcome Service. card) Lotharstr. 23 WhiteCards, which can be purchased for 5 euros 0203 379-4389 If you have neither a staff ID, student ID, nor a guest from vending machines in the specialist libraries UDE App "myUDE" [email protected] card, you can obtain a CashCard from Student Ser- GW/GSW (Campus Essen) and LK (Campus Duis- Mon.–Thurs.: 11.00 am–1.00 pm www.uni-due.de/myude/ vices Essen-Duisburg by presenting verification of burg), can only be used to pay at the copying and your status (issued by the university or faculty) and printing stations, not in the canteen. Campus Essen paying a 5 euros deposit. Your faculty can issue in- Sonja Struensee formal confirmation of your member status and the Anastasia Goudinoudi duration of your stay. You can use this CashCard to Infopoint pay at the canteens and cafeterias, vending machines Reckhammerweg 1 as well as copying and printing stations at UDE. 0201 82010-111 INSIDER INFO: [email protected] Mon., Wed. and Thurs.: 11.00 am–3.00 pm See Chapter 2.4 for information on obtaining wireless internet access 26 2 Practical Services at UDE 27

Application form and more Duisburg information about the FirmenTicket KundenCenter DVG www.uni-due.de/verwaltung/FirmenTicket/a_z Ticket sales and Lost & Found (near U-Bahn station Duisburg Hauptbahnhof – central train station) Assistance with the FirmenTicket Harry-Epstein-Platz 10 Personnel and Organisation 47051 Duisburg Campus Essen Opening hours: Holger Büchte Mon.–Fri.: 7.00 am–6.30 pm T01 S05 B10 Sat.: 9.00 am–1.00 pm 0201 183-2076 Hotline: [email protected] 0203 60 44 555 Mon.–Fri.: 7.00 am–6.00 pm

Essen

KundenCenter Ruhrbahn Essen Hauptbahnhof (central train station) Info FirmenTicket Lounge Application Lost & Found on the mezzanine level (U-Bahn) If your employment at the university will last at least port system Ruhrbahn. UDE employees are eligible The FirmenTicket must be purchased from the pub- centre of the public transport company in Duisburg Berliner Platz a further 12 months, you may be able to use the for reduced-price monthly tickets at various fare lic transport company of the city where you work. or Essen. Both public transport companies operate 45127 Essen FirmenTicket for reduced fares on public transport. rates. The FirmenTicket is valid 365 days a year; Complete the application and have a staff member at within the Rhine-Ruhr Transport Alliance (VRR). Opening hours: After a minimum period of 12 months, you will be you can take your bicycle at no additional charge. the personnel department stamp it to confirm your If your application is received by DVG or 6 VRR ticket overview Mon.–Fri.: 8.00 am– .00 pm able to cancel the FirmenTicket at a month’s notice. An extra benefit for families: after 7 pm on eligibility. Then take the completed application form Ruhrbahn by the 10th of the month, you can start Sat.: 9.00 am–2.00 pm Find the right ticket for your trip The FirmenTicket is based on an agreement between weekdays and all day at weekends and on public to the customer service centre of your local public using your ticket from the 1st of the following with VRR in a few clicks: the University of Duisburg-Essen, the Duisburg pub- holidays, an additional adult and up to three transport company or send it by post to the service month. Hotline: 0201 8261234 www.vrr.de/en/tickets-fares/ lic transport system DVG and the Essen public trans- children under 15 can travel with you for free [email protected] ticket-overview/ within your fare zone. 28 2 Practical Services at UDE 29

University prospectus LSF 2.3 Language courses 2.4 Computer and internet access Instructions for configuring your PC and mobile devices https://campus.uni-due.de/lsf > Veranstaltungen > Vorlesungsverzeichnis > www.uni-due.de/zim/en/eduroam- configuration Sprachkurse > Deutsch als Fremdsprache The main language of teaching and communicating Public institutions and private schools and institutes Uni-ID – your key to online services www.uni-due.de/zim/en/wifi.php in the faculties is usually German. However, numer- offer language courses, as well. You may also take an Institute for Optional Studies ous visiting researchers at the University of Duis- integration course, which leads to European language To be able to use online services at UDE, you will Fellowship recipients, freelancers and Ph.D. students burg-Essen get by very well without any knowledge of proficiency level B1. need a valid Uni-ID for authentication. Almost every who are neither enrolled at nor employed by UDE www.uni-due.de/ios German. Please clarify what your working language member of the university has a Uni-ID, which gen- can apply for a Uni-ID from user management ser- will be during your stay in Duisburg-Essen prior to erally serves as the user’s identifier for all of his/her vices at ZIM. Language tandem your arrival. services (login, email etc.). We recommend all visiting researchers who stay for For information on registration and more, visit: If you are interested in taking language classes to New employees will automatically be allocated a Uni- an extended period of time to register as users with www.uni-due.de/international/sprachtandem/ learn German from scratch or to improve your Ger- ID. Employees who have not yet received a Uni-ID ZIM. After registering successfully, you will receive start_en.shtml man skills, the Institute for Optional Studies (IOS) INSIDER INFO: can apply for one from user management services at your universal Uni-ID, which will give you access at the University of Duisburg-Essen offers Integration course Centre for Information and Media Services (ZIM). to various services, in particular authentication for German courses at different proficiency levels and wireless internet access on both campuses. Language test ffers integration courses practice, e.g. especially for grammar or vocabulary Each city o Ph.D. students receive their Uni-ID automatically On this website you can test your knowledge improvement. For information about the exact consisting of a 600-hour language upon enrolment. They are categorised as univer- of German: times and contents of the courses, please refer to course and a 60-hour orientation sity members, which gives them access to various www.sprachtest.de/schnelltest-deutsch the university prospectus. You may register for a course. services. class by sending an email to sprachkurse@uni- For more information, visit: due.de. Duisburg: https://www.duisburg.de/vv/ produkte/pro_du/dez_ii/32/ In addition, the International Office can pair you integrationskurse_beantrage INSIDER INFO: Apply for a Uni-ID from ZIM with a “language tandem partner”. This tandem n.php system gives you the opportunity to improve your To obtain a Uni-ID and access the wireless network at UDE, language skills by interacting with native speakers Essen: please register with ZIM at https://benutzerverwaltung.uni- without the constraints of course timetables, https://www.essen.de/rathaus/ duisburg-essen.de/registrierung. If you already have eduroam aemter/ordner_0401/ whilst at the same time learning interesting facts access (www.uni-due.de/zim/services/wlan/eduroam.shtml), interkulturelle_orientierung/ about daily and professional life as well as you will not need additional wireless access. Fachbereich_Interkulturelle_ recreational opportunities in Germany. Orientierung_Kommunales_Inte grationszentrum_Essen.de.html 30 2 Practical Services at UDE 31

Information on Uni-IDs Email address Internet access Public workstations Online platforms

www.uni-due.de/zim/en/username.php Email and notifications WiFi via eduroam Public computer rooms Moodle

User management office Each Uni-ID is linked to an email address to which You can connect with wireless internet via eduroam In public computer rooms, you can use computers Many professors/lecturers incorporate moodle into you will receive important university-related infor- on both campuses of the university. You will need with various software free of charge and access the their teaching. Moodle is a place to store documents, The user management office generates and mation. To access this mailbox, e.g. via the web- your Uni-ID to login via eduroam. UDE staff and internet. In addition, the university library has com- facilitate group work or test learning progress. manages all Uni-IDs, giving you access to all mail interface, you must register using your Uni- students can also access the wireless networks of puter workstations that can be used during library ZIM services, e.g. internet access. ID. UDE email addresses are structured as follows: many other universities in Germany and abroad via opening hours. The specialist libraries also have fa- BSCW Campus Duisburg [email protected], firstname. eduroam using their Uni-ID. cilities to scan images and texts. You will need your Mon.–Fri.: 09.00 am–07.00 pm [email protected]. Visitors who work at Uni-ID to use these services. The BSCW server is a platform for collaborative on- E-point, library, ground floor, LK building UDE for a limited period of time may register their Conference/event visitors at UDE line editing of documents. Public work stations 0203 379-4142 personal email as their primary contact email. The rooms in Essen are secured with a lock system Campus Duisburg [email protected] For visitors attending an event or a conference at that requires a magnetic key card. UDE employees Campuscloud: Sciebo ZIM computer rooms: LC 036, MA 425, BA 028 UDE, university staff can generate temporary login can apply for a key card from the facility manager. Work stations to use with your own laptop: LF Campus Essen credentials to access the wireless network via the Only room SH 212 (Essen) is accessible without a Sciebo – a combination of the words science and Mon.–Fri.: 09.00 am–07.00 pm 051, LB Foyer, BA 022, BA 022, passage BA/BB user management’s self-care portal. These credentials key card between the hours of 7.30 am and 6.00 pm. box – is a free cloud storage solution provided by E-point, library GW/GSW, ground floor, second floor are valid for one week and cannot be extended. The universities for universities in NRW, offering storage, LB 239, , BC building R09 owner of the credentials is the staff member who gen- sharing and syncing of university-related data. Unlike Computer classrooms: MC 327, MB 142 0201 183-3015 erates them. WiFi can then be accessed via eduroam. commercial providers, the universities exclusively 203 [email protected] process the data themselves in strict adherence to Campus Essen VPN client software for download Virtual Private Network (VPN) German data protection legislation. ZIM computer rooms: T02 S00 L46, R09 R00 H02 www.uni-due.de/zim/ en/ and SH 212. vpn.php For legal reasons, some UDE services may only be For further information and registration visit: Computer work stations: PC hall R11 T08 C98; used on the university network. Members of UDE available Mon.-Fri. from 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm, who wish to use these services from a remote location www.uni-due.de/zim/en/sciebo.php unless the space is being used for an event. will need VPN access, which requires authentication with your Uni-ID. Pre-configured, self-extracting Apply for a key card files to instal Cisco VPN-client software are available The application form is available here: for download for various operating systems. www.uni-due.de/verwaltung/organisation/ gbm_dokumente 32 2 Practical Services at UDE 33

Library administration Library card Campus Essen

Campus Duisburg Your staff ID or visitor’s card also serves as a library »» Specialist library GW/GSW (R09-R11): focus on Lotharstr. 65 card. Ph.D. students who are enrolled at UDE use humanities, social sciences, arts, linguistics and 47057 Duisburg their student ID. Before using it for the first time, economics 0203 379-2010 you must present your card at a specialist library for Campus Essen activation. »» Specialist library MNT (V15 S01 C19): focus on Universitätsstr. 9–11 mathematics, natural sciences, technology 45141 Essen You may also obtain a library card for an annual fee 0201 183-3727 of 20 EUR at the check-out counters of the specialist »» Specialist library for medicine (university hospi- [email protected] libraries. Please contact the UB for further infor- tal): Hufelandstr. 55 mation. Opening hours and directions can be found on the Homepage of UB Duisburg-Essen website. Whilst opening hours may vary by location, www.uni-due.de/ub/en /eindex.php Addresses and opening hours specialist libraries are generally open Mon.–Fri. from 8.00 am-7.00 pm. Some specialist libraries stay open The various specialist university libraries on both until 10.00 pm and at weekends. Addresses and opening hours 2.5 University Library Duisburg-Essen campuses are housed in different buildings depend- www.uni-due.de/ub/en/eadroeff. php ing on the disciplines they serve:

Campus Duisburg Training modules – face-to-face The University Library (UB) Duisburg-Essen is an using the free campus delivery service CalD. In ad- and online academic library with holdings that are usually free- dition to the print edition, numerous media are also »» Specialist library Lotharstr. 65 (LK): focus on hu- www.uni-due.de/ub/schulung/schulung .php ly accessible at its various specialist libraries. The available as e-versions. manities, social sciences and economics, mathe- holdings comprise 2.4 million volumes, 1,400 print matics and computer science, geosciences journals, approx. 268,000 e-books as well as The library also provides 2,300 work stations, 300 some 64,000 electronic journals (as of 2020). of which are equipped with computers. UB staff are »» Specialist library Bismarckstr. 81 (BA): focus on available to answer any questions you may have about electrical engineering, applied material science The UB’s media are distributed amongst its various library and media use. (formerly metallurgy) specialist libraries according to content and discipline. You can borrow a medium directly at your local »» Specialist library Lotharstr. 1 (MC): focus on nat- campus library or order it from the other campus ural sciences, mechanical engineering 34 2 Practical Services at UDE 35

UB catalogue "Primo" Face-to- face and online training opportunities

https://primo.ub.uni-due.de UB Duisburg-Essen offers face-to-face training as “Introduction to using the library” – well as online materials for self-instruction in English course contents and German. Its three-module course on how to conduct academic searches teaches general and sub- »» catalogue search using “Primo” ject-specific basic skills: an introduction to using the »» your library account library, general literature searches and inter-library »» extending and reserving media loans as well as specialised literature searches. On this »» information about the holdings and labelling course, you will learn everything you need to know system about using the library and your library card as well »» how to borrow media and register as how to search the catalogue, use data bases and enhance your research strategies. Self-instruction modules:

Audio guides are available for download at numerous » tutorials on the search portal Primo, the library locations to help you find your way around the library account as well as numerous specialist data bases premises and learn about the various services. We » Moodle course: introduction into using the library also offer training and assistance for working with (login with your Uni-ID) The catalogue “Primo” literature management programmes. Please contact the experts at the library with any questions you In the library's catalogue "Primo", you can search and other materials for your course available online. may have about your specific discipline and research For more information, for books, journals and other media held by the If your package also contains hard copies, books (as project; you will find an A to Z with the names and visit: university library Duisburg-Essen. In the UB well as master copies), these materials can also be subject areas of staff members on the library website. https://semapp.uni- catalogue “plus Artikel” you will also find (digital) placed on a reserved shelf at one of the specialist INSIDER INFO: due.de/ journal articles and essays licensed for use at the libraries for your students’ reference. UB. Under the A to Z on the library website you find all the essential information about The university bibliography documents books, essays, will If you are a visiting lecturer, you have the option of editorships and electronic publications by members the library and its services in German and making packages of digitised texts, reading lists, links of UDE. English. www.uni-due.de/ub/en/eabisz.shtml 36 2 Practical Services at UDE 37

2.6 Sports at the university 2.7 In-house training and professional Online Portal development https://sisonline.uni-due.de/default.aspx The university sports programme University Sports Club (USC) Information & contact [email protected] The university offers a varied sports programme on USC operates fitness studios in both Duisburg and UDE strives to excel in teaching, research and professional development. The Personnel Development both campuses, from ball sports via wellness, fitness, Essen. You can register with the USC online – as you Department (PE) and the Centre for University Quality Development (ZHQE) are the two central Jutta Bonnet endurance and martial arts to dance and movement. can for other university sports courses – at any time. facilities at UDE for training and professional development, offering numerous continuing edu-cation 0203 379-2375 The programme is open to all UDE students and staff If you would like to find out more about the USC opportunities. [email protected] at special and reduced rates at the university’s various before registering, you may also visit the locations Claudia Hobe sports facilities. Students from other universities and directly for more information. The USC Duisburg 0201 183-6322 non-members can also participate, provided that and Essen offers a trial subscription, a standard sub- PE In-house training programmes ZHQE professional development and [email protected] spaces are available. Courses run from Monday to scription, a VIP subscription and a 4-week pass. In counselling for teaching staff Saturday during the day and in the evenings. Reg- Duisburg, students, staff and visitors can also pur- PE offers all UDE staff the opportunity to attend Sandra Vatter istration is usually open a week after term begins chase a USC Fitnesscard for 14 workout sessions. Fees in-house training events as well as seminars from The Centre for University Quality Development 0201 183-7220 and during semester breaks. For the complete pro- for the USC as well as other university sports courses the annual course programmes of selected external (ZHQE) offers a rich development and counselling [email protected] gramme, go online or pick up a brochure at the AStA are normally collected monthly by direct debit. There providers. The in-house events are open to all staff, programme for teaching and learning at UDE: Stay informed: register for University Sports Administration Office office or the university sports administration office. is no need to actively cancel a subscription, but it most of them at no charge. In the unlikely case that teaching staff and researchers have the op- must be extended on time to remain active. there is an additional charge for a course, the cost will portunity to enhance their skills in module-based PE newsletter www.uni-due.de/hochschulsport be clearly stated in the programme. Once you have professional development programmes. lists.uni-due.de/mailman/listinfo/ Campus Duisburg been accepted for a course, you are automatically mitarbeiterfortbildung Forsthausweg 2 granted leave of absence. Please register for all PE All coaching services for teaching staff can be 47057 Duisburg in-house training events as early as possible via the found on the ZHQE website. Centre for University 0203 379-2256 online portal. Instructions for online registration Quality Development [email protected] are available on the website. [email protected] Campus Essen www.uni-due.de/zh qe Schützenbahn 70 45127 Essen 0201 183-7356 [email protected] 38 2 Practical Services at UDE 39

2.8 Community outreach

In Germany and the Ruhr area we care deeply about volunteering and community outreach. Here are some Initiative for Sustainability (IfN) Weitblick opportunities to get involved at the University of Duisburg-Essen: Students, graduates, staff and interested members of Weitblick is a student initiative at the University of the public are invited to contribute their ideas and Duisburg-Essen which champions more equitable UNIAKTIV experience to the Initiative for Sustainability (IfN). access to education around the globe. Weitblick The initiative offers all interested parties the opportu- supports secondary and vocational education for UNIAKTIV – Centre for social learning and re- Based on the successful American concept of Service nity to organise their own projects, events or lectures children and young people in Germany as well as sponsibility – stands for active learning in higher Learning, UNIAKTIV also initiates and coordinates with the support of an experienced interdisciplinary in partner projects in Bangladesh and Ghana. The education, combining university teaching with social courses to acquire, enhance or apply knowledge and team. IfN participants acquire and apply softskills activities and projects rely on the dedication and ex- responsibility. With UNIAKTIV, the University of key skills in the social, cultural and ecological do- such as team play and organisation, communication, pertise of various disciplines. At Weitblick, everyone Duisburg-Essen (UDE) facilitates a dialogue with mains. So far, more than 1,200 students and over 40 project management, presenting research, and most is encouraged to contribute and implement his or her civil society, fostering its students’ and teachers’ social teaching staff at UDE have implemented almost 75 importantly, a readiness to assume responsibility. ideas. Weitblick is particularly committed to trans- responsibility and community involvement as an service learning seminars and social projects, bene- parency. The help it provides must be fully traceable integral part of its teaching. fitting about 200 non-profit institutions. Active IfN members meet irregularly in different to ensure that it actually gets to where it is needed. work groups at different locations. If you are in- UNIAKTIV terested in join-ng or have questions or sugges- Weitblick is represented at 15 universities throughout IfN Office tions, please drop by upon consultation. Germany and continuously growing. Campus Essen Campus Essen R12 S01 H14 Pavillon für Information und The IfN can issue a volunteering certificate for Kommunikation (PIK) the period of your active membership. Office hours by arrangement 0201 183-2220 [email protected] www.uni-due.de/ifn [email protected] www.initiative-fuer-nachhaltigkeit.de www.uniaktiv.org Weitblick

www.weitblicker.org/Duisburg-Essen 40 2 Practical Services at UDE 41

Your contact 2.9 Diversity and equal opportunities 2.10 Alumni and supporters Prof Dr Christine Heil, Equal Opportunity Officer Dr Regina Hauses, Deputy Equal Through their members, alumni and friends’ associations support scientific, practice-related, social and cul- Opportunity Officer The Equal Opportunity Office The UDE Gender Portal tural projects in teaching and research either in specific faculties or across faculties. They also liaise between Elke Währisch-Große, Deputy Equal academia and the community as well as between theory and practice in industry, politics and society in the Opportunity Officer The Equal Opportunity Officer strives to fulfil the The UDE Gender Portal is a joint project by UDE’s region on the Rhine and Ruhr rivers. Campus Essen legal mandate to ensure equality of opportunity, sup- Equal Opportunity Officerand the Centre for Uni- Office of the Equal Opportunity Officer porting the university in promoting gender equality. versity and Quality Development. Employing an University of Duisburg-Essen She represents the interests of all women at the uni- equality-based knowledge management approach, UDE alumni networks A selection of friends’ associations Universitätsstr. 12, R12 S02 H80 versity, be they members or employees, including the portal offers a wide variety of information for 45141 Essen students, technical and administrative staff, scientists teaching staff, researchers, students, administrative As a former student, employee or researcher, the 0201 183-4014 and professors. In this capacity, the Equal Opportu- and leadership staffas well as other interested par- University of Duisburg-Essen is a part of your life’s Duisburg University Society (D.U.G.) [email protected] nity Officer advises all stakeholders on matters of ties. Arranged by topic, you can find interesting gen- journey. The University of Duisburg-Essen has active gender equality and supports female employees and der-related material, from women’s and gender stud- alumni associations in many different disciplines.For The Duisburg University Society (D.U.G.) is the Duisburg University Society e.V. Campus Duisburg students individually as needed. ies to gender mainstreaming, equality and promoting an overview of alumni networks and friends’ associ- friends’ association for the Duisburg Campus of the Equal Opportunity Office women, as well as information on how these topics ations at UDE, visit: www.uni-due.de/de/alumni/ University of Duisburg-Essen. As one of the largest Geibelstr. 41 Forsthausweg 2, LG 014 A Other important aspects of her work include de- are embedded in the University of Duisburg-Essen. absolventennetzwerke associations of its kind in Germany, the D.U.G. looks 47057 Duisburg 47057 Duisburg veloping strategies and measures to achieve gender back on more than half a century of commitment 0203 379-4409 0203 379-1871 mainstreaming as well as monitoring the progress Gender portal www.uni-due.de/genderportal The purpose of this network is to keep you up to to the university location in Duisburg. The D.U.G. [email protected] www.uni-due.de/gleichstellung of support and equal opportunity programmes for date with university-related news and events and supports teaching, research and, if needed, students www.uni-due.de/dug women. foster a lively exchange with fellow alumni and your of all faculties – materially in the form of donations alma mater. and sponsorship, and non-materially by mediating Friends’ & Supporters’ Association of The Equal Opportunity Officer is also involved in any contacts with industry, business and policy-makers. the University of Duisburg-Essen e.V. staffing, social and organisational measures at the university that affect women, in particular recruit- Am Waldthausenpark 2 (in the IHK building) ment and appointment procedures as well as staff 45127 Essen development programmes and initiatives to improve 0201 189-2224 the work-life balance of staff and students. [email protected] www.uni-due.de/freunde/ If you would like to get in touch, please make an appointment with the office staff. 42 2 Practical Services at UDE 43

Duisburg-Essen University Foundation

The Duisburg-Essen University Foundation pro- motes projects that improve teaching or learning at UDE in the immediate or long term, in particular by providing scholarships for students in need.

EduScia – Foundation for the University of Duisburg-Essen

EduScia is a non-profit foundation for the Univer- Student Services Duisburg-Essen sity of Duisburg-Essen. Its objective is to facilitate excellent conditions for outstanding science and www.stw-edu.de/gastronomie/speiseplaene/ research and to support exceptionally gifted young or visit Student Services on Facebook or follow on researchers. Friends’ & Supporters’ Association (GFF) Twitter www.facebook.com/ Duisburg-Essen University Foundation StudierendenwerkEDU The Friends and Supporters of the University of Duis- 2.11 Canteens and cafeterias www.twitter.com/Studentenwerker www.uni-due.de/due-stiftung burg-Essen promote research, teaching and learning at the university. In addition, their goal is to foster Online and mobile menus EduScia – Foundation for the mutual understanding between science and practical Student Services Essen-Duisburg offers a wide range The cafeterias offer a big selection of sandwiches and University of Duisburg-Essen application as well as between the university and the of food and drink at its canteens and cafeterias. baked goods, cakes and pastries, hearty snacks, dairy You can view the menus at any time on the community. Members of the Friends and Support- products, fruit, sweets and drinks. website of Student Services Essen-Duisburg. Menu www.uni-due.de/eduscia ers of the University of Duisburg-Essen (GFF) are The canteens mainly cater for lunch. Whether you apps are available for iPhone and Android mobile regional businesses, university members, alumni as prefer vegetarian or vegan fare, meat or fish, every Wherever possible, Student Services Essen-Duisburg phones: well as personalities from all spheres of society who day, you can choose from a wide range of varied serve regional, seasonal and organic foods, e.g. only - myUDE feel they have a special bond with ‘their’ university. main courses that you can combine with various organic pasta and rice as used. The coffee is exclu- - MyMensa side dishes. The regular menu is often complemented sively fair-trade-certified and usually organic, as well. with ethnic or special-occasion dishes during the motto weeks. 44 2 Practical Services at UDE 45

Cashless payments made easy Campus Duisburg

In all the canteens and cafeterias, you can pay by Hauptmensa Duisburg Monday–Thursday 11.15 am–2.30 pm standard menu simply placing your student or staff ID on the scan- Tuesday–Thursday 11.15 am–2.30 pm ‘specials 4 you’ menu ner. All prepaid cards are reloadable at the top-up Friday 11.15 am–2.15 pm standard menu machines near the canteens, which accept 5, 10, 20 or 50-euro notes. Alternatively, you can pay using www.stw-edu.de/gastronomie/standorte/mensen/mensen//show/ mensa-campus-duisburg/ your debit card (“EC-Karte”). Prepaid cards can also be topped-up at the cash registers in the canteens or U-Café Monday–Friday 09.30 am–2.00 pm cafeterias. www.stw-edu.de/gastronomie/standorte/cafeterien/mensen//show/ u-cafe-campus-duisburg/ If you have neither a staff ID nor a student ID card/ visitor’s card, you can obtain a CashCard from Stu- dent Services Essen-Duisburg by presenting proof of Bistro „insgrüne“ Monday–Thursday 7.30 am–4.30 pm your status and paying a deposit. The CashCard is a Lunch served from 11.15 am–2.00 pm purchase card only, to be used in the canteens, cafe- Friday 7.30 am–4.00 pm terias and copying and printing stations at UDE, the Folkwang University of the Arts and the Hochschule www.stw-edu.de/gastronomie/standorte/mensen/mensen//show/ Ruhr West – University of Applied Sciences (HRW) kaffeebar-insgruene-campus-duisburg/ (see Chapter 2.2). Café Vision Monday–Thursday 7.30 am–7.00 pm Friday 7.30 am–5.30 pm Please make sure there is enough credit on your card as the cash registers cannot accept any partial cash www.stw-edu.de/gastronomie/standorte/cafeterien/mensen//show/ payments! cafe-vision-campus-duisburg/ INSIDER INFO: For more information on the CashCard see Chapter 2.2 46 2 Practical Services at UDE 47

Campus Essen 2.12 Culture at UDE University Choir (Duisburg) [email protected] Main Canteen Essen Monday–Thursday 11.15 am–2.30 pm standard menu www.facebook.com/SaltoChorale Friday 11.15 am–2.15 pm standard menu UDE offers a wide variety of cultural events in and University Orchestra www.stw-edu.de/gastronomie/standorte/mensen/mensen//show/ around the daily university routine. University Choir (Essen) mensa-campus-essen/ Founded as a small ensemble by the Medical School five decades ago, the university orchestra is one of [email protected] Hospital Canteen Monday–Friday 11.15 am–2.15 pm standard menu University Choir (Duisburg) Germany’s top university orchestras today. With its www.uni-due.de/unichor/ www.stw-edu.de/gastronomie/standorte/mensen/mensen//show/ musical highlights and hugely popular concerts, it is mensa-campus-klinikum/ Salto Chorale, the university choir on Campus Duis- a staple of cultural life in Essen and Duisburg. Since University Orchestra burg, is always looking for new members. 2002, the orchestra has been led by the Karajan award winner and Folkwang graduate Professor Oliver Leo [email protected] Canteen Monday–Friday 11:30 am–2.30 pm www.uniorchester-duisburg-essen.de Folkwang Schmidt. www.stw-edu.de/gastronomie/standorte/mensen/mensen//show/ University Choir (Essen) mensa-campus-folkwang/ Big Band(its) The university choir Essen is an ensemble for anyone Big Band(its) Gelbe Cafete Monday–Friday 30 am–2.00 pm who enjoys singing and wants to connect with other [email protected] www.bigbandits.org www.stw-edu.de/gastronomie/standorte/mensen/mensen/show/ university members outside of the daily routine. The The jazz orchestra of the University of Duisburg-Es- gelbe-cafete-campus-essen/ university choir members are motivated in other sen was founded in 1991 by a handful of enthusias- ways as well: even after a full day’s work they are tic students. Since 1993, the saxophonist and music Rote Cafete Monday–Thursday 7.30 am–7.00 pm keen to concentrate their minds and, together with teacher Nils Powilleit has been directing the band of INSIDER INFO: Friday 7.30 am–5.30 pm others, eager to showcase the university choir Essen about 20 ambitious amateur musicians. Their swing- every semester. ing, rocking, grooving repertoire ranges from classic www.stw-edu.de/gastronomie/standorte/cafeterien/mensen//show/ swing orchestras in the style of Count Basie, Duke For detailed information about the rote-cafete-campus-essen/ canteen and cafeteria locations, Ellington or Glenn Miller, via newer arrangements by opening hours and current menus, Cafélyse Monday–Thursday 7.45 am–3.00 pm Thad Jones, Bob Mintzer or Peter Herbolzheimer, to visit the website of Student Services Friday 7.45 am–2.40 pm works by up-and-coming arrangers of today. Essen-Duisburg www.stw-edu.de/gastronomie/standorte/cafeterien/mensen//show/ www.stw-edu.de cafelyse-campus-klinikum/ 48 2 Practical Services at UDE 49

glassbooth (independent drama group only connect! Poet in Residence Mercator Professorship of the Universities Duisburg-Essen and Bochum) “only connect!” is a sophisticated student theatre In the US, the institution of the “poet in residence” Instituted in 1997, the Mercator Professorship company that works with creative processes that is a staple at any university. The University of Duis- commemorates the academic legacy of the famous The independent theatre “glassbooth” was established provoke, inspire and delight both actors and their burg-Essen was Germany’s first, and for a long time, 16th-century cartographer and universal scholar in November 2003. The idea behind glassbooth was audiences. only university to emulate this American idea and from Duisburg. Previous Mercator Professors have to select unusual works that would not normally recruit contemporary authors as visiting lecturers to hailed from the fields of culture, politics, business feature in the programmes of municipal or inde- give readings and teach seminars. In 1975, the first and science, amongst them former Federal President pendent theatres. glassbooth is an open project that DIE KLEINE FORM poet in residence Martin Walser gave poetry readings Richard von Weizsäcker, former Federal Foreign evolves and transforms with each new production by in Essen, followed by many renowned authors such Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, film directors personalising the parts for individual cast members. DIE KLEINE FORM offers an entertaining snapshot as Günter Grass, Jurek Becker, Volker Braun, Emine Volker Schlöndorff and Margarethe von Trotta, of the issues and methods of the disciplines taught in S. Özdamar and Yoko Tawada. journalist Ulrich Wickert, sociologist Necla Kelek, Duisburg and Essen. Every other Wednesday from publicist Dr Peter Scholl-Latour, women’s rights ac- English Theatre DUET (Duisburg 1.15 pm to 2 pm, a representative of a different dis- tivist Alice Schwarzer, former Federal Supreme Court glassbooth University English Thespians) cipline shares insights into his/her current research Studium Generale Judge Professor Dr Udo di Fabio and former Presi- Uni-Colleg field in the library conference room at Campus Essen. dent of the Council of the Lutheran Church Professor info @glassbooth.de The Duisburg University English Theatre (DUET) There is time for casual conversation and debate over Each semester, the cultural programme “Studium Dr Wolfgang Huber. www.uni-due.de/de/uni-colleg www.glassbooth.de was launched in 1982. Based on English, American coffee. The lectures are streamed online and available generale & music at the uni” offers a stimulating and and Irish acting and directing workshops, it has been afterwards on demand. varied programme of events for everyone. Please Poet in Residence Englisches Theater DUET (Duisburg performing plays for well over 30 years. New mem- see the what’s on information in the daily press and University English Thespians) bers have joined the group and stayed for several online for current events. www.uni-due.de/germanistik/poet years, or just for one single production, so change is a Uni-Colleg [email protected] constant factor with DUET. The group has been very Studium Generale www.uni-due.de/duet/index.html small at some times, and very large at others. People The Uni-Colleg is a blend of easily accessible lectures, of all nationalities are welcome! practical demos and a guided tour. Conceived 25 www.uni-due.de/de/event/studium_generale only connect! years ago as a way to introduce the community to the University of Duisburg, the Uni-Colleg has evolved Mercator-Professur [email protected] into a casual, yet in-depth showcase of academic www.only-connect.de achievements at the University of Duisburg-Essen. www.uni-due.de/de/mercatorprofessur

DIE KLEINE FORM

www.uni-due.de/kleine-form 50 2 Practical Services at UDE 51

2.13 UDE site maps and abbreviations Map of Campus Duisburg Areas B and SK

Richtung Mülheim

Straßenbahn 901 Richtung Autobahn-Abfahrt Zoo/Uni Duisburg-Kaiserberg

Am Waldessaum Carl-Benz-Str. MA Sonderlinie Bus 926 MB Mülheimer Str. Uni-Nord MC BEREICH L MD Bus 933 NETZ BEREICH M MF ME ZBT All entrances are wheelchair-accessible, MG All entrances are wheelchair-accessible, LT LM 100 m

unless labelled otherwise. MM Mensa unless labelled otherwise.

Bus 924, 926 inHaus1 LH Uni-Nord/Lotharstr. LS Only wheelchair accessible Lotharstr. inHaus2 LE Only wheelchair accessible on the ground floor SE on the ground floor Gästehaus LD Richtung Zentrum/Hbf. Forsthausweg 901 LR LG Gerhard-Mercator-Haus LF LK Not wheelchair accessible (stairs) Schweizer Str. Bibliothek Not wheelchair accessible (stairs)

SG Geibelstr. LB

Sternbuschweg Universität Wheelchair accessible toilets Bus 924, 933 LX Altes Audimax Wheelchair accessible toilets Hörsaalzentrum LA Sonderlinie Neues Audimax Mensa Holteistr. LC Disabled Parking Fraunhofer-Institut Lotharstr. Disabled Parking Gneisenaustr. Walramsweg

Finkenstr.

Aktienweg Map of Campus Duisburg Bus 924, 933 Areas L, M, SG Bürgerstr. 52 2 Practical Services at UDE 53

Map of Campus Essen

Mittwegstraße Campus Essen Hammacherstraße U-Bahn U11, U17 Richtung Campus Essen S-R S-L Universität Essen S-M Bus 166, SB16 Bus 145, 196 S-A Waldthausen- S-E Sonderlinie Grillostraße Rheinischer Pl. Schützenbahn e 100 m Sonderlinie ß Sevenarstraße Hörsaalzentrum Pavillon tra Altes Audimax Mensa s Tiegelstraße Gerlingplatz S04 Viehofer S-H straße ZIM S06 R Platz e g- Brünungstraße c Straßenbahn 107, 108 in S-GW S03 kh rl e Segerothstraße a e aß T03 m G paluno str m Viehofer Platz me e Im T02 T01 S05 r- Bus 154/155 Entsorgungshof Viehofer Platz S07 S08 w e Hofterbergstraße Mensa Cafeteria g Hörsaalzentrum Richtung R09 Bornstraße Bereich Weststadt V17 S05 Bus 145, 154/155, 196 Bibliothek Viehofer Platz Key Studenten- V15 wohnheim R11 Immestraße „Die Brücke“ Klosterstraße 250 m V13 Key Studentenwerk beckstraße Uni- R13 Rib T – Fir green U-Bahn U11, U17, U18 Gustav-Hicking-Straße lo Straßenbahn 101/106, 103, 105, 109 R12 K sterstraße Gästehaus Student Counselling and Academic Career Berliner Platz versitäts- Health Care Management, Chemistry, Development (ABZ), Student Registrar’s Bus 145, 166, SB16 Cafeteria Computer Science, ZIM, Canteen Glaspavillon Rathaus Rib e be Office, University Administration, Canteen ß cks a tr Gustav-Hicking-Straße r aß straße t e S – Sand yellow S Einkaufspassage straße Rathaus-Galerie Sonderlinie Educational Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Room number explanation Straßenbahn 101/106, 103, 105, 107, 108, 109 All entrances are wheelchair-accessible, Me Bus 196 ye R10 Alfredi- r-S r Rathaus Essen Lecture Hall Centres S04 (old 'Audimax') and c e Universitätsstraße unless labelled otherwise. hw Bus SB16, 145, 154/155, 166, 196 Alte ic ck ke ra e Synagoge RAB t b S05 T building h-S Steeler Straße tr a lad ße Edmund- Hauptbad V – Violet G Körner-Pl. Only wheelchair accessible Engineering, Specialist Library MNT, 01 entrance R14 on the ground floor Hörsaalzentrum 100 m Humanities, Examination Offices, Neues Audimax Bernestraße Varnhorst- International Office S colour of the inner area Richtung straße Straßenbahn Hauptbahnhof Not wheelchair accessible (stairs) R – Red 101/106, 103, 105, 109 Map of Campus Essen Rheinischer Platz Humanities, Economics and Business 06 floor Bus 145, 196 Wheelchair accessible toilets Administration, Educational Sciences, Schützenbahn University Library, R14 Lecture Hall Centre B corridor Sonderlinie Disabled Parking Richtung and ‘Audimax’ Bereich Schützenbahn 11 room 54 2 Practical Services at UDE 55

Key University Hospital Essen Index of abbreviations used at UDE

U-Bahn U17 1 Patient Admissions, Administration Office Holsterhauser Platz AAA Akademisches Auslandsamt International Office A m g Holster 2 Ruhrland School (for children in hospital) M hhan hauser Straße Richtung Zentrum/ ü enbac h Ach Campus Essen le ABZ Akademisches Beratungs-Zentrum Academic Counselling Centre for n 31 2 b 30 Hufeland- straße 3 Chapel a 32 c Zufahrt h 29 29 Klinikum eg 3 im Bau Haupteingang Studium und Beruf Study and Career Development 4 Medical Research Centre Hohlw Straßenbahn 101/106 33 29 14 4 29 15 1 Bus 160/161 16 13 5 Medical Centre g 28 5 AG Arbeitsgruppe working group, research group Hohlwe 17 6 West German Heart Centre 34 35 12 AStA Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss Students’ Union V 6 7 Cafeteria ir 27 ch o 18 w s 10 t 8 Central Laboratory ra 7 BIOME Graduate School for Biomedical Science ß 11 36 e 26 19 9 Dermatology 37 25 38 24 20 8 CENIDE Centre for Nano-Integration Duisburg-Essen 10 Surgical Centre I 9 Esmarchstraße

11 Social Services, Hospital Hygiene 22 21 DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst German Academic Exchange Service 23 12 Medical Clinic 100 m 39 Listerstr. 43 Dez Dezernat administrative department 13 West German Cancer Centre (WTZ) – wards Külshammerweg 42 Bone Marrow Transplantation zum Ronald-McDonald-Haus Henckelstr. 14 (Hundertwasser-Haus) DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft German Research Foundation 15 West German Cancer Centre – 41 40 42 DiM Diversity management Outpatient Uni Vi West German Cancer Centre – rchow 16 straße DuEPublico Dokumenten- und Publikationsserver University library document and publication server Research Building der Universitätsbibliothek 17 Radiotherapy Unit, Nuclear Medicine Unit zur Gruga, Eingang Orangerie (Zugang zum Ronald-McDonald-Haus) DUET Duisburg University English Thespians 18 Paediatrics 19 Obstetrics & Gynaecology DUG Duisburger Universitäts-Gesellschaft e. V. Duisburg University Society, 20 Ophthalmology, ENT 28 Guesthouse 36 Institute of Cell Biology (Cancer Research) an alumni/friends organisation 21 Surgical Centre II 29 Nurses‘ Residence 37 Canteen EduScia Stiftung für die UDE UDE Foundation 22 Accident & Emergency Department 30 Training Facilities for the Paramedical Profession 38 Institute Group I 23 Study Centre for Diagnostic Imaging 31 Nursing Association of the German Red Cross 39 Teaching & Learning Centre Fak. Fakultät faculty 24 Dean‘s Office 32 Daycare Centre 40 Institute of Pathology & Forensic Medicine FEE Fonds für Essener Existenzförderung Fund for Promoting Entrepreneurship in Essen 25 Central Information Technology (ZIT) 33 West German Proton Therapy Center Essen (WPE) 41 Pharmacy 26 Audimax Lecture Hall, Medical Library 34 Social- Paediatric Centre, West German 42 Building Services FG Forschergruppe research group 27 LVR Hospital for Psychiatry Centre for Infectious Diseases 43 University Medical Officer, Printing Plant, and Psychotherapy Essen 35 Robert Koch House Safety Technology 56 2 Practical Services at UDE 57

GK Graduiertenkolleg graduate school RCO RuhrCampusOnline online prospectus for University Alliance Ruhr

GLK Gleichstellungskommission Equal Opportunity Commission RGS Econ Ruhr Graduate School in Economics Ruhr Graduate School in Economics

HG Hochschulgesetz University law RUB Ruhr-Universität Bochum

HRK Hochschulrektorenkonferenz German Rectors’ Conference SCNR ScienceCareerNet Ruhr

HSR Hochschulrat University Council SFB Sonderforschungsbereich Collaborative Research Centre

IO International Office Akademisches Auslandsamt SHK Studentische Hilfskraft student research assistant

IOS Institut für optionale Studien Institute for Optional Studies SoSe Sommersemester summer term

IRUN International Research Universities Network SSC Science Support Centre Science Support Centre

KFW Kommission für Forschung, wissenschaftlichen Commission for Research, Junior Researchers StO Studienordnung study regulations Nachwuchs und Wissenstransfer and Knowledge Transfer StuPa Studierendenparlament Student Parliament

KHK Käte Hamburger Kolleg/ TSC Tutoren Service Center international Tutor Service Center international Centre for Global Cooperation Research TUD Technische Universität Dortmund KI Ruhr Konfuzius-Institut Metropole Ruhr Confucius Institute of the Ruhr Metropolitan Area UA Ruhr Universitätsallianz Ruhr von RUB, TUD und UDE University Alliance Ruhr consisting of RUB, TUD and UDE LSF Lehre, Studium, Forschung online prospectus UB Universitätsbibliothek University Library MEDUSE Mentorinnen-Netzwerk der UDE network of women mentors at UDE UDE Universität Duisburg-Essen University of Duisburg-Essen MIWF Ministerium für Innovation, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Research Wissenschaft und Forschung WHK Wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft research assistant

UDE abbreviations OTB Online-Telefonbuch online phone directory WM Wissenschaftliche/r MitarbeiterIn research fellow

Visit the following website for more abbreviations: PE Personalentwicklung Personnel Development WS Wintersemester winter term www.uni-due.de/verwaltung/ PO Prüfungsordnung examination regulations ZHQE Zentrum für Hochschulqualitätsentwicklung Centre for University Quality Development abkuerzungsverzeichnis PR Personalrat Staff Council ZIM Zentrum für Informations- und Mediendienste Centre for Information and Media Services

RCA Ruhr Campus Academy Ruhr Campus Academy ZV Zentralverwaltung Central Administration ZWW Zentrale Wissenschaftliche Werkstätten Central scientific workshops 58 3 Duisburg and Essen – in the heart of the Ruhr Area 59

3.1 The Ruhr Metropolitan Area

The two cities of Duisburg and Essen lie at the very The Ruhr Area is not just a chain of interlocking poly- Garden Network heart of the Ruhr, the second largest metropolitan centric metropolises with diverse industrial heritage area in Europe after London. The Ruhr Area was sites and a colourful cultural landscape; geograph- https://wp.eghn.org/en/gardens/germany/ shaped by the mining industry and thanks to mi- ically it is also a heterogeneous natural landscape. gration and the movement of people from the most Situated at the meeting point of the Westphalian Duisburg and Essen – diverse cultures and ethnicities has been a melting Lowlands and the Rhenish Slate Mountains, 40 per pot for centuries. This is why the people in this region cent of the Ruhr Area is covered by built-up areas, Ruhr Valley have the reputation of being very open and tolerant. 40 per cent by agricultural land and 20 per cent by http://www.staedteregion-ruhr-2030.de/cms/ forests. in the heart With the decline of the mining industry, the Ruhr masterplan_ruhrtal.html Area has undergone wide-ranging structural change Untypically for an industrial region, there are many which has brought about transformations, partic- rural areas, recreational areas and lakes. Numerous of the Ruhr Area ularly in infrastructure, the economy, technology gardens and parks in the region are amalgamated in and culture. Today, the region can boast a range of the European Garden Heritage Network (EGHN). cultural activities unparalleled in Europe: more than Duisburg is located at the source of the Ruhr River 200 museums as well as theatres, musical events, art and was the starting point for the mediaeval Hellweg exhibitions and industrial heritage sites. which also runs through Essen. The Ruhr Valley thus features picturesque locations which can easily be Nowhere else in Europe will you find such a concen- explored on foot or by bicycle. tration of cities offering art, industrial architecture and culture in addition to entertainment, fun and a Many companies are located in the Ruhr Area as well wealth of shops. There are all kinds of cultural activ- as research centres with spin-offs and technology ities and due to short distances and a good system parks that are closely linked to enterprises in the of public transport it is easy to get from one place most diverse sectors. The Ruhr Area has the most to another. The region’s cultural appeal and diverse tight-knit university landscape in Europe with a total urban landscape were recognised by the European of 223,000 students. Union in 2010 when the Ruhr Metropolitan Area, spearheaded by Essen, was granted the honour of being the European Capital of Culture. 60 13 Duisburg and Essen – in the heart of the Ruhr Area 61

Business and science Industrial Heritage Industrial Heritage Trail

Since the 1960s, “the motor and energy provider for The Ruhr Area is reinventing itself - and has discov- The “Industrial Heritage Trail” links the individual sites in the Ruhr Area. A 400-kilometre route wends its the German economic miracle” has turned into a ered a completely new form of culture: industrial various ways through the region and features themed trails and cycle paths. The anchor points of the Industrial modern science and technology hub. With five uni- heritage. This regional consciousness is and was fo- Heritage Trail include: versities, a university of the arts, 15 other institutions cused on industrial locations: yesterday’s workplace of higher education, four Fraunhofer and three Max - the pithead towers and blast furnaces, the slag heaps World Heritage Site: the Zollverein Coal Mine North Duisburg Landscape Park Planck institutes, and five members of the Leibniz and gasometers - has become today’s monument or in Essen Association as well as more than 150 other non-uni- landmark. The buildings and factories abandoned The huge site of the former ironworks has now been versity educational, research and development in- by industry are now often used for art and culture, The “most beautiful colliery in the world” now houses turned into a public recreation area with climbing stitutions, today’s Ruhr Metropolitan Area is one of theatre and exhibitions and, indeed, for sport and lei- the Red Dot Design Museum, the “Phänomania/ walls in the old ore bins and a gasometer for scuba the most important science landscapes in Europe. sure. During the summer “Ruhrtriennale”, the Ruhr Erfahrungsfeld” (experiencing science centre) and diving. Every evening, a permanent light installation And there is special feature, too: wall-to wall linkag- metropolitan area’s festival of arts, these venues host the Ruhr Museum, to name but three. In the neigh- bathes the smelting works in a fascinating show of es between the many collaborations and centres of a top-class theatre programme with a most unusual bouring coke oven there is a swimming pool and an light and colour. Industrial Heritage Trail excellence in the various research fields. The Ruhr is atmosphere. Once a year, the “Extraschicht” (extra ice rink. https://www.ruhr-tourismus.de/en/ well on the way to becoming one of the leading loca- shift), the long night of industrial heritage, opens The Oberhausen Gasometer ruhrindustrialculture/industrial-heritage- tions for industry and service industries in Germany. the doors for one night on industrial facilities from The Zollern Colliery in Dortmund trail.html Many enterprises have set up their headquarters in the past and present which become the unforgettable Built in 1929, the gasometer now houses the largest one of the Ruhr cities. This is where important Eu- backdrop for productions by international artists. This magnificent art nouveau building is now a mu- and arguably most unusual exhibition space in Eu- ropean streams of commerce are organised; this is In 2010, the Ruhr Area was the European Capital of seum where visitors can get an impression of colliery rope. The inside is more than 100 metres high and where future European energy policy is shaped. New, Culture. Under the motto “Change through Culture - life in the 19th century. And it is also possible to visit fascinating exhibitions and installations are shown modern branches, especially information technology, Culture through Change” a whole host of projects and the housing estates built for the miners in the vicinity. here. There is a magnificent view over the Ruhr Area medicine and logistics as well as energy and water programmes were presented which have sustainably from the viewing platform on the roof. management determine the economic direction the changed the whole region. Jahrhunderthalle Bochum (Century Hall) INSIDER INFO: Get to know the coal-mining district is taking today. Henrichshütte Steelworks in Hattingen Ruhr Metropolitan Area! This impressive hall was built as an exhibition space www.rvr.ruhr by the iron and steel works “Bochumer Verein” for The oldest blast furnace in the entire coal-mining the 1902 Düsseldorf Trade Fair. Today, it is a highly area was operational for 150 years. Today, it is an atmospheric performance centre for theatre, concerts industrial museum introducing visitors to the work and opera. and significance of the steelworks for the region, including a “path of iron” demonstration. There are also cultural programmes, special exhibitions and much, much more. 62 13 Duisburg and Essen – in the heart of the Ruhr Area 63

3.2 Ruhr culture in figures

What How many Where

Industrial heritage sites approx. 3,500 all over the Ruhr area, amalgamated into the Industrial Heritage Trail

Visitors’ Centre at the World Heritage Site: the Zollverein Coal Mine in Essen

Festivals approx. 250 including Ruhrtriennale (arts festival), Ruhrfestspiele (theatre per year festival), Klavierfestival Ruhr (piano festival), European Classic Festival Ruhr, others in different artistic fields in the entire region (music, cinema, dance etc.)

Museums approx. 200 in the whole region: Ruhr Museum at the Zollverein, Museum Folkwang in Essen, Emil Schumacher Museum in Hagen, Dortmunder U, Lehmbruck Museum in Duisburg INFO: RUHR. INSIDER Theatre approx. 120 including the Aalto Theater and Grillo Theater in Essen, TOPCARD Schauspielhaus Bochum, Theater Duisburg

The “RuhrTopCard” allows you Concert halls approx. 100 including Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg, Bochum free access to more than 90 attrac- 3.3 Duisburg – living between the Rhine tions - not just museums, exhibitions and industrial heritage sites but also zoos, swimming pools, in- Visit www.ruhr-tourismus.de/en.html for more information. & the Ruhr land waterways and leisure parks. The card is valid for a year and allows you to visit each attraction Duisburg is a city of water with the Rhine and Ruhr rivers, the Rhine-Herne Canal, one of the biggest inland once free of charge. Prices: 56 ports in the world and several lakes. It offers plenty of scope for recreation and leisure. The city furthest west euros for adults; 36 euros for in the Ruhr Area has just under 500,000 inhabitants. children (as of 2020). www.ruhrtopcard.de 64 13 Duisburg and Essen – in the heart of the Ruhr Area 65

North Duisburg Landscape Park (LaPaDu) Sechs-Seen-Platte

This almost globally-unique park amalgamates in- Especially in the summer months, this recreational dustrial heritage, nature and a light show in a very six lake area in the south of Duisburg entices visitors special way. In the disused smelting works cultural out into a greenbelt area of lakes, including an open- and corporate events take place. Visitors can plumb air swimming pool. The neighbouring Sportpark the depths of Europe’s deepest artificial diving centre, Duisburg boasts a 2,150 metre-long boat race course the Gasometer, or scale the heights of the climbing and one of the most modern water ski and wakeboard walls in the old ore bins and the high rope course in cable facilities as well as five- to ten-kilometre illumi- a former casting house. Those in search of adventure nated running paths. The football stadium of MSV can also explore the site by taking part in various Duisburg, the long-established local football team, rallies or bicycle tours. From the top of “Hochofen can hold 31,500 spectators. With their striped jerseys, 5” the view is amazing. In the evenings, the light the Duisburg team is nicknamed “zebras”. Visitors installations in North Duisburg Landscape Park are can skate all year round, with or without accompa- particularly impressive. nying DJ and club atmosphere, at the ice rink that is home to the local ice hockey team “Duisburg Foxes”. Adventure golf and barbeque areas to rent round off Duisburg Inner Harbour Leisure & recreation the choice of leisure facilities around the Six Lakes Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord (LaPaDu) www.innenhafen-portal.de Tiger & Turtle/Magic Mountain Duisburg Inner Harbour RheinPark Duisburg www.landschaftspark.de/en/ RheinPark Duisburg Tiger & Turtle/Magic Mountain is an accessible Duisburg Inner Harbour is a combination of old The park has wide-open green spaces, skater paths, sculpture by Ulrich Genth and Heide Mutter in Duis- Sechs-Seen-Platte www.duisburg.de/wohnenleben/ storehouses and modern architecture. After a visit climbing walls and a beach directly on the Rhine. burg’s Angerpark. Opened in 2011, the landmark is wasser/rheinpark.php to the museum, the former “breadbasket of the Ruhr a massive sculpture resembling a roller coaster or, www.seen.de/sechs-seen-platte-duisburg Area” invites visitors to enjoy a meal at one of the nu- in this case, stroller coaster, composed of spiraling merous restaurants located here and enjoy the sunset. walkways. At night it is illuminated. Tiger & Turtle/Magic Mountain

www.duisburg.de/tourismus/stadt_erleben/ industriekultur/tiger-and-turtle.php 66 13 Duisburg and Essen – in the heart of the Ruhr Area 67

DITIB Merkez Mosque Art & Culture

www.ditib-du.de DITIB Merkez Mosque MKM Museum Küppersmühle Duisburg Museum of Culture and City History The DITIB Merkez Mosque is one of the largest This former flour mill in the Inner Harbour is one mosques in Germany and has developed into a meet- of the largest private museums in Germany and www.stadtmuseum-duisburg.de ing place of cultures. houses the Ströher Collection, one of the most comprehensive collections of post-war German art. Lehmbruck Museum Duisburg Museum of Culture and City History German Inland Waterways Museum www.lehmbruckmuseum.de/en This is where you cannot only discover more about the famous mathematician and cartographer Gerhard It is Germany’s largest museum for the history of MKM Museum Küppersmühle Mercator, who drew up the first modern atlas, but inland water navigation – in a faithfully-restored also about the history of the city of Duisburg. art nouveau swimming pool located at Duisburg www.museum-kueppersmuehle.de/en/ Inner Harbour, the largest inland port in Europe. Lehmbruck Museum In the former gentlemen’s swimming pool there German Inland Waterways Museum are intricate models to admire and children can Renowned as a centre of international sculpture, the take a boatman’s diploma. www.binnenschifffahrtsmuseum.de Lehmbruck Museum uniquely presents the work of both the sculptor Lehmbruck and other national and Museum DKM Music & Drama at Theater Duisburg Radio Museum Music & Drama at Theater Duisburg Museum DKM international artists of the 20th century. In its permanent exhibition, “Lines of quiet One of the most striking buildings in Duisburg is Here you can still find working radios going right www.duisburg.de/theater/start.php www.museum-dkm.de beauty”, the Museum DKM brings together 5,000 home to the Duisburg-Düsseldorf theatre alliance. back to 1923. For all tinkerers and radio aficionados, years of art and culture. As well as objects, The opera house, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, was specialist lectures, special exhibitions and swap shops Radiomuseum installations and contemporary paintings, a wide opened in 1956 and is considered one of the leading are also held. www.duisburg.de/tourismus/stadt_erleben/ range of ancient Asian art is on view. opera and ballet venues in Germany. museen/radiomuseum.php 68 13 Duisburg and Essen – in the heart of the Ruhr Area 69

Leisure and recreation in Essen Lake Baldeney

www.baldeneysee.de Lake Baldeney Hundertwasser House Gruga In, on and around Lake Baldeney you can enjoy di- On the edge of Gruga Park you will find a Hun- verse leisure activities like tennis, golf, beach volley- dertwasser house donated by the Ronald Mc- www.grugapark.de/english/index.html ball and angling. An extensive network of cycle paths Donald Foundation that can be viewed by arrange- invites you to discover the green Ruhr Valley by bicy- ment. It provides temporary accommodation for Hundertwasser House cle or rollerblades. The “Weiße Flotte” (White Fleet) the parents of seriously-ill children being treated at of pleasure boats allow you to experience the lake Essen University Hospital. www.grugapark.de/english/ additional.html#hundertwasserhouse and banks of the Ruhr from a different perspective. Margarethenhöhe 3.4 Essen – Industrial heritage & nature Gruga Margarethenhöhe The garden city that was designed by Georg www.margarethe-krupp-stiftung.de/die- Covering an area of 700,000 square metres of green, Metzendorf and financed by the Margarethe margarethenhoehe/ The trade fair town of Essen has a great deal to offer its nearly 600,000 inhabitants. Both the restored Cathedral Gruga Park has adventure playgrounds, a children’s Krupp Foundation for Housing Welfare is con- Treasury and the Old Synagogue shine in new splendour. The Aalto Theatre and Essen Philharmonic Hall are zoo, a pony yard, a free-flight aviary, tropical houses sidered one of the most famous and attractive two special venues. Industrial heritage sites include the Krupp family residence, Villa Hügel, the UNESCO in glass pyramids, a Hundertwasser house and a “Kur housing developments in the Ruhr Area and is lo- world heritage site, the Zollverein Coal Mine and the picturesque garden city, Margarethenhöhe. Lake Baldeney vor Ort” spa. A sculpture park and cultural activities cated right next to a green lung forest area. and Gruga Park offer many sport and leisure opportunities. make Gruga one of the most attractive urban parks in Germany. 70 13 Duisburg and Essen – in the heart of the Ruhr Area 71

Aalto Musical Theatre History, museums & culture in Essen Grillo Theater

www.theater-essen.de Grillo Theater Lichtburg www.theater-essen.de Aalto Musical Theatre Deilbachhammer www.theater-essen.de/schauspiel/ Old Synagogue The Grillo Theatre in Essen, named after the Essen The Lichtburg is the largest historical cinema in Ger- The theatre of “humane architecture” by the Finnish The museum landscape in Deilbachtal is composed industrialist who donated the building, is one of the many. In the listed building which holds 1,250 people Kettwig: Historical Quarter www.alte-synagoge.essen.de architect Alvar Aalto is the prestigious home of the of an area of interesting geological features such as oldest theatres in the Ruhr Area. Since 1988, it has you can attend concerts and readings, cabaret and Aalto Musical Theatre, the Aalto Ballet Theatre Essen outcrops and a remarkable number of pre- and ear- been the main stage for the repertory company. Ar- theatre performances as well as watching films. www.rheinruhronline.de/essen/essen2/ kettwig/kettwig.htm Deilbachhammer and the Essen Philharmonic Hall. ly-industrial heritage sites which reveal the history of chitecturally, the historical staircase is of particular metal working and the development of early mining interest. Museum Folkwang www.ruhrzeiten.de/Deilbachhammer.htm Old Synagogue activity. Lichtburg Kettwig: Historical Quarter Founded by Karl Ernst Osthaus in 1902 as the first www.filmspiegel-essen.de/ Cathedral Treasury The City of Essen’s Jewish cultural institute is both Cathedral Treasury museum for contemporary art in Europe, Museum a memorial and a meeting place. The architectural Kettwig is situated on the Ruhr. The historical centre Folkwang has outstanding collections of German www.domschatz-essen.de masterpiece is also home to a permanent exhibition Essen Cathedral is home to collections of religious art with its timbered houses from the 17th and 19th and French art of the 19th century, classical mod- Museum Folkwang on German-Jewish history as well as current political that rank amongst the most important in Germany. centuries, its crooked lanes and beautiful rococo and ernism and post-war art. The new wing, which was www.museum-folkwang.de/en/ and social issues. The Golden Madonna is the oldest-known sculpture empire doors is a favourite place to visit. opened in 2010, was designed by the architect David of Mary in western art and the centerpiece of Essen Chipperfield. Cathedral Treasury. 72 13 Duisburg and Essen – in the heart of the Ruhr Area 73

Essen Philharmonic Hall Essen Philharmonic Hall Ruhr Museum Villa Hügel Zollverein Coal Mine Villa Hügel

www.theater-essen.de/philharmonie/ With some of the best acoustics in Germany, Es- The Ruhr Museum invites visitors to learn about mul- Today, the former family residence of the industrialist One of the landmarks of the Ruhr Area is the listed www.villahuegel.de/en sen Philharmonic Hall in the historical “Saalbau” tiple facets of the Ruhr Area with fascinating natural Krupp is the seat of the Ruhr Cultural Foundation. Zollverein Coal Mine in Essen. The UNESCO World Red Dot Design Museum (opened in 1904) has also become one of the most history and cultural history exhibits. Regular special In addition to the historical exhibition devoted to Heritage site offers visitors vivid insights into regional Zeche Zollverein beautiful concert halls. The Alfred Krupp Hall seats exhibitions complete the portfolio. Krupp, temporary exhibitions are held and there are mining and is also a venue for top-class concerts, www.red-dot-design-museum.org/essen 1,900, the RWE Pavilion approximately 350 people. wonderful grounds to enjoy. dance festivals, art and design exhibitions. You can www.zollverein.de/zollverein-unesco-world- heritage-site/ Unperfekthaus discover the former coking plant and some of the Ruhr Museum Red Dot Design Museum pits by rental bicycle or on foot, with or without a In the “Unperfekthaus”, artists, founders and groups guided tour. www.ruhrmuseum.de/en/home Spread over five floors on the site of the World Heri- can use rooms, technology, stages etc. free of charge. tage Zollverein Coal Mine, the Red Dot Design Mu- In the midst of the 4,000-square-metre artists’ colony Unperfekthaus seum houses the world’s largest exhibition of con- private individuals and business people also congre- temporary design. gate for meals, seminars and discussions. Birthdays www.unperfekthaus.de and officeparties are celebrated and, if you choose, you can even stay the night here. 74 4 Formalities at a glance 75

4.1 Check lists

Before you leave home Your contact at the Welcome Service on the Campus Essen

The following check list should help you with Ms. Carla Gierich your travel preparations: Universitätsstr. 15 Formalities Room V15 S00 D07 45117 Essen »» Decide when you are to start work and discuss +49 (0)201 183-2379 the date with your (host) institute well in advance [email protected] at a glance »» Put together the most important documents (see Chapter 4.2) Mr. Udo Rasum »» Apply for your visa (and those of any members of your family accompanying you) Universitätsstr. 15 INSIDER INFO: Room V15 S00 D09 »» Arrange an appointment with your local Immi- Emergency contact gration Office (the Residents’ Registration Office 45117 Essen +49 (0)201 183-3745 is responsible for EU citizens) in order to register Please give your host institute in good time during the first week after arrival [email protected] or the International and to extend your residence permit, if necessary. Office the »» Find out about accommodation in your new place name/s of the person/s in your of residence own country who should be Your contact at the Welcome Service » » Arrange health insurance cover (for your marital contacted in case of emergency. on the Campus Duisburg partner and children as well) Please include their contact Ms. Eugenia Dahl »» If applicable, enquire about local child care/ Geibelstr. 41 schools well in advance details and indicate which Room SG 53 languages they speak and their 47057 Duisburg relationship to you. +49 (0)203 379-3106 [email protected] 76 4 Formalities at a glance 77

4.2 Important documents

You will usually need the following In many cases you will also need the documents in order to enter the country: following documents:

»» Passports or equivalent identity documents for »» Birth certificates for yourself and any members yourself and any members of your family accom- of your family accompanying you (preferably in- panying you which are valid for three months cluding a German translation) longer than the entire duration of your stay in »» Marriage certificate (preferably including a Ger- Germany man translation) »» A visa for yourself and any members of your fam- »» Certified copies of your doctoral certificate or INSIDER INFO: When you arrive ily accompanying you (see Chapter 5.1) any other certificates awarded for academic de- Landlord’s confirmation »» Letter of invitation from the university, fellowship grees (preferably including a German or English In order to register in Duis- award letter or hosting agreement translation) burg please download the form These are the first steps you will need to take as soon as you arrive: »» A biometric passport photo for your residence »» Vaccination certificates “Wohnungsgeberbestätigung” permit »» A declaration stating particular or previous illness (landlord’s confirmation) from the »» Visit your department or institute »» Open a bank account »» Possibly other passport photos for the various (possibly recent x-rays) and any current medi- following webpage: »» Sign your lease agreement »» Take out health insurance ID cards you will need during your stay (please cation » » » https://www.duisburg.de/vv/ » Ask your landlord to complete the “Wohnungs- » Sign your employment contract observe the requirements for passport photos laid » If you intend to drive while you are in Germany: produkte/pro_du/ geberbestätigung” (landlord’s confirmation). You »» Extend your residence permit (and those of your down by the German Foreign Office) international driving licence or foreign driving dez_ii/32/10201010000005406 will require it at the Residents’ Registration Office marital partner and children) licence including translation (depending on coun- 4.php.media/53885/ANM_WG or Immigration Office. See INSIDER INFO for »» Register your children at kindergarten or school try of issue); if you wish to take your car with you Besch.pdf more information. (Chapter 10) to Germany you will need additional documen- »» Register yourself (and your family) at the Resi- »» Set up your workplace (internet access, telephone, INSIDER INFO: tation (see Chapter 11.6) In order to register in Essen please dents’ Registration Office if you are EU citizens or library card etc.) »» If you conclude an employment contract with a For further information visit use the following form: at the local Immigration Office if you are not. You »» Obtain information as soon as possible on poten- university – depending on the type of contract www.euraxess.de https://media.essen.de/media/ may also be able to apply for a “Führungszeugnis” tial tax obligations and pension rights – you will need additional documents; please as- wwwessende/aemter/33/ (police clearance certificate) and “Freizügigkeit” certain which documents are necessary in your buergeramt_1/ (Freedom of Movement) there. particular case prior to entering the country (see Wohnungsgeberbestaetigung. Chapter 7) pdf 78 4 Formalities at a glance 79

4.3 EURAXESS – the network of European Mobility Centres DLR What is EURAXESS (Germany)? What services does EURAXESS Germany UDE’s involvement in the EURAXESS EURAXESS Germany: offer to mobile researchers? Germany network: EURAXESS is an EU-wide network providing in- »» Initial guidance for researchers on the themes formation and advice for internationally mobile »» Website www.euraxess.de/en The national EURAXESS coordination points work mentioned above researchers. Forty countries are involved. The EU- »» Information, initial advice and mediation services together with partners and research institutions in »» Mediating contacts to individual universities and EURAXESS Germany – the National RAXESS network typically comprises a central with relevant parties for mobile researchers (in- their respective countries. In Germany, there are research institutions in Germany Coordination Point at the German organisation in each country that coordinates the coming, outgoing, returning) dealing with entry, approx. 80 universities and research institutions – in- »» Mediating contacts to partner institutions in the Aerospace Center activities in that country and maintains contact with working, social security, taxation and practical cluding the universities of Duisburg-Essen, Bochum EURAXESS network in other countries the central organisations in the other countries as issues as well as frequently asked questions and Dortmund – which are registered as “Service »» Networking and continuing education events for European and international collaboration well as with the European Commission. In addition, » Facebook-website “Euraxess Germany – Support Centres” in the EURAXESS network. For their part, “researcher advisers” at universities and research Heinrich-Konen Str. 5 numerous universities and research institutions in for mobile researchers”, responses to inquiries the partners at universities and research institutions institutions in Germany (up to twice a year) 53227 Bonn all the countries cooperate at local level. Since April regarding researchers’ mobility have agreed to support the researchers at their in- »» Networking between local service points and the 0228 3821-1551 2015, the role of National Coordination Point for » a helpdesk ([email protected]): initial counselling stitutions. In practice, the distribution of work is Europe-wide EURAXESS network [email protected] EURAXESS Germany has been adopted by the DLR and referral to the local service centres roughly as follows: www.euraxess.de Project Management Agency. » A free, Europe-wide job portal in which researchers can post their CVs and institutions can adver- Local Service Points in the EURAXESS tise positions vacant network:

»» Dealing with individual cases at the respective institution »» Providing information on the specific institution/ location »» Mediating contacts to the responsible local organisations/institutions 80 5 Entry and Residence 81

5.1 Visa and Entry

Nationals of EU States, the European Nationals of all other non-EU States Economic Area and Switzerland (“third-country nationals”)

If you are an EU national or come from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland you will not Short visits lasting up to three months normally need a visa. You may enter Germany on your national identity card. If you intend to stay in If your research stay in Germany is not scheduled Germany for more than three months and move into to last longer than 90 days in a six-month period, a an apartment, you must register at the “Einwohner- Schengen Visa will usually be all you need to enter meldeamt” (Residents’ Registration Office) after en- the country (C-Visa). However, you should bear in tering the country (see Chapter 5.2). mind that Schengen Visas cannot be extended beyond the period of three months, nor can they be INSIDER INFO: Online redesignated for other purposes. You will have to application form Nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, leave Germany at the end of three months at the If you only need a visa for a short Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea latest. visit of up to 90 days (Schengen Visa) and the USA you can complete the application In order to obtain a Schengen Visa you will have to form online by accessing the address If you are a national of one of these states you do not prove that you will be able to support yourself fi- given below. When you have Entry need a visa to enter Germany. However, if you are nancially during your stay in Germany. For all the form completely you mustfi lledprint in intending to stay more than three months or pursue Schengen States you will also be obliged to provide it out and present it to the German gainful employment you will require a residence per- evidence of travel health insurance cover amoun- diplomatic mission in person to- mit which you can apply for once you have entered ting to at least 30,000 euros. When completing the gether with all the other application and Residence Germany (see Chapter 5.3). Alternatively, you can application for the Schengen Visa please be sure to documents required. apply to the German diplomatic mission abroad for state “scientific work” or “research” as the purpose http://visa.diplo.de the relevant visa. of your stay. The Schengen Visa entitles you to move freely between and stay in any of the so- called Schengen States, i.e. the states that have signed the Schengen Agreement. 82 5 Entry and Residence 83

Visa exemptions for short visits: ily is only intending to enter the country a few weeks To apply for a D-Visa you will usually require the A National Visa is linked to a specific purpose. This after you. Do not under any circumstances enter following documents: could be studying (e.g. a doctoral candidate on a Nationals of some countries are allowed to enter Ger- Germany on a “Visitor’s or Tourist Visa” (Schengen fellowship), employment (e.g. a research associate) many for visits of up to three months without a visa. Visa). This type of visa cannot be extended and only »» Passport (please ensure that your passport is valid or research (e.g. a postdoctoral researcher on a fel- You can find a list of these states under “Overview entitles you to stay in Germany for a maximum of for at least three months longer than the duration lowship or employment contract). of visa requirements/exemptions for entry into the three months. You would then have to return to your of your intended stay) Federal Republic of Germany” on the website of the own country at your own expense and apply for the »» Proof of your intended activity (e.g. fellowship, Inviting visitors Federal Foreign Office. Please note, however, that you right visa there. The same applies to members of employment contract, letter of invitation or host- will not be able to apply for a residence title for a lon- your family. The National Visa entitles you to stay in ing agreement from the university) If you would like to invite a guest to visit you in ger stay once you have entered Germany and that you Germany and travel throughout the Schengen States »» Proof that you will be able to support yourself Germany, such as a member of your family who will have to leave the country after three months at for up to 90 days within a six month period. financially if this is not evidenced by the docu- needs an entry visa, it will be necessary to prove in the latest. If you are planning a longer stay you must mentation above the application that sufficient financial means are apply for a German visa that will allow you to stay in You can find an overview of the countries requiring »» Adequate health insurance cover available for the duration of their visit. If the guest the country for an extended period while you are still a visa (short stay) as well as the addresses of German »» Details of proposed accommodation in Germany is unable to provide this proof themselves, you can in your own country or current country of residence. missions abroad and information on entry regula- »» Marriage and birth certificates of family members pledge to cover all the costs ensuing from the stay in tions on the website of the Federal Foreign Office: »» Application form (available from diplomatic mis- Germany. You can submit this formal obligation to Visits lasting more than three months www.auswaertigesamt.de sions) the “Bürgerdienste International”. Provided that all INSIDER INFO: Fee waiver the conditions are met you will be issued with a doc- Fellows of German funding If you are planning to stay in Germany for more than The Schengen States: Depending on the individual Embassy the docu- ument that the visitor can use as evidence of financial organisations who receive a three months you must apply for a National Visa for ments required may differ. Please contact the respec- support when applying for a visa. publicl Germany (D-Visa) from the German Embassy or Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Den- tive diplomatic mission at the earliest opportunity in y-financed fellowship – for example, Alexander von Consulate while you are still in your own country mark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, order to ascertain which documents you will need Humboldt Foundation fellows or current country of residence. Please note that this Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Lux- for your visa application. National Visas are usually and DAAD scholarship-holders – applies even if you are already staying in another emburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Por- issued for a period of three months. Once you have are not usually required to pay European Union country. If your marital partner or tugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain. entered Germany you must present this visa to your fees for their visas or residence children are intending to spend time with you during local “Ausländerbehörde” (Immigration Office) to permits. your research stay it is recommendable to apply for apply for a residence permit (see Chapter 5.3.). their visas together with your own, even if your fam- 84 5 Entry and Residence 85

In Duisburg und Essen Nationals of EU States, the European In order to register at the Immigration Office you Stadt Essen Bürgeramt 5.2 Registering at the “Einwohnermeldeamt” Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland will need Depending on your nationality, you can complete Hollestr. 3 (Gildehof) registration formalities at the “Bürgeramt” or the 45127 Essen (Residents’ Registration Office) If the above-mentioned preconditions regarding du- »» your passport Immigration Office in Duisburg and Essen. 0201 8833-222 ration of stay and moving into an apartment apply, »» the document “Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung” nationals of EU States, the EEA and Switzerland reg- (landlord’s confirmation) 0201 8833-218 [email protected] Stadt Duisburg Bürgeramt Everyone who moves into a house or flat in Germany In Duisburg and Essen, registration may be coupled ister at the “Einwohnermeldeamt” (Residents’ Regis- is obliged to register, including visitors who are stay- with immigration formalities; depending on your tration Office).e Th act of registration automatically In connection with registration you will be issued Sonnenwall 73–75 ing for more than three months. So within a week nationality, different procedures must be followed: authorises the right to Freedom of Movement (Free- with the following (irrespective of whether you Opening hours 47051 Duisburg of entering the country or moving house you will dom of Movement permits are no longer issued). register at the Residents’ Registration Office or the Mon., Tues.: 8.00 am–3.00 pm 0203 94000 (Call Center) normally have to register yourself and any members Immigration Office): Wed.: 7.00 am–1.00 pm 0203 283-3417 of your family accompanying you at the Residents’ In order to register at the Residents’ Registration Thurs.: 8.00 am–6.00 pm [email protected] Fri.: 8.00 am–1.00 pm Registration Office responsible for the area in which Office you will need »» “Meldebescheinigung” which confirms that you Opening hours you live. One of the questions on the registration have registered. You will need official proof of Mon.-Thurs.: 8.00 am–4.00 pm form refers to your religious faith. The reason for this » your passport or equivalent document registration if you wish to extend your visa, for Stadt Essen Ausländerangelegenheiten Fri.: 8.00 am–2.00 pm is that in Germany religious communities are entitled » your birth certificate (if necessary) example, or open a bank account. (Immigration Office) to use the services of the Tax Office to collect “Church » the document “Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung” »» “Steueridentifikationsnummer (Taxpayer Identi- Tax” (see Chapter 9.5.). (landlord’s confirmation) fication Number). This will be sent to you by post Schederhofstr. 45 Stadt Duisburg Ausländerbehörde after you have registered. If you are in employ- 45121 Essen 0201 8838 883 (Immigration Office) Nationals of all other Non-EU States, ment you must then forward this number to the [email protected] Sittardsberger Allee 14 (“third-country nationals”) “Landesamt für Besoldung” (LBV), the regional authority handling salaries. 47249 Duisburg Opening hours Nationals of all other states must complete both reg- 0203 283-7246 Mon. and Tues.: 8.00 am–1.00 pm istration and immigration formalities at the “Aus- Irrespective of your nationality, you can apply for a 0203 283-7291 INSIDER INFO: Moving and 2.00 pm–3.00 pm länderbehörde” (Immigration Office-Team: Visa “Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis” (Police Clearance [email protected] within Germany Thurs.: 8.00. am–1.00 pm and 2.00 pm–6.00 pm Matters, Foreign Students and Experts, EU) (see Certificate), which is often required for public service Fri.: 8.00 am–12.30 pm Opening hours If you relocate within Germany Chapter 5.3) appointments in Germany, after registration at the Closed on Wednesdays Mon.-Wed., Fri.: 8.00 am–4.00 pm you must re-register. Please ensure Residents’ Registration Office. Fri.: 8.00 am-noon that the names of all registered Closed on Thursdays. family members are clearly visible A lot of information can also be obtained from on the doorbell. the Duisburg “Bürger- und Servicecenter”: 0203 94000 86 5 Entry and Residence 87

Information on residents permits You will usually have to present the following doc- Depending on the purpose of your stay, there are in Germany uments to the Immigration Office: different residence titles which are associated with different rights (e.g. the right to employment). In Euraxess has drawn up a detailed overview of the »» Completed application for a residence title (avail- the research field, residence titles for the following various residence titles. Visit able at the Immigration Office) purposes are the most common: https://www.euraxess.de/germany/ »» Valid passport (please ensure that your passport informationen-beratung/entry-conditions- is valid for at least three months longer than the » Higher education studies, language courses, and-visas duration of your intended stay) as well as copies school education of your passport, visa and proof of entry » Employment »» Biometric passport photo (please observe the re- » Settlement permit for highly qualified for- Stadt Essen Welcome- und quirements set out by the Federal Foreign Office: eigners ServiceCenter (WSC) www.epass.de) » EU Blue Card »» Fellowship award letter, employment contract or » Research. If you have or want to apply for a residence permit hosting agreement with the university (stating for highly qualified employment, ICT or research, the amount of the monthly fellowship or salary you can handle your registration and immigration as proof that you can support yourself financially) matters at the WSC. »» Proof of health insurance cover valid in Germany »» For marital partners/children: German or English Hollestr. 3 (Gildehof) translations of marriage and birth certificates 45127 Essen »» Fees vary. Please ask for more details at the Im- +49 201 8838777 migration Office. [email protected] 5.3 Residence permit

Opening hours Mon. and Tues.: 8.00 am–1.00 pm and 2.00 pm–3.00 pm Registration and residence title for nationals of Non-EU States Thurs.: 8.00. am–1.00 pm and 2.00 pm–6.00 pm Fri.: 8.00 am–1.00 pm In order to fulfil the legal requirement to register (see Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea or the Closed on Wednesdays Chapter 5.2) and before your entry visa runs out you USA and not only entered the country without a visa must apply for a residence permit at your local “Aus- but intend staying in Germany for a longer period of länderbehörde” (Immigration or Foreigners’ Office). time you also have to apply for a residence permit This is usually issued electronically in the form of a within three months of entering the country. card (eAT). If you are a national of Australia, Canada, 88 5 Entry and Residence 89

Probationary certificate “Freizügigkeitserlaubnis” If the requirements for Freedom of Movement are ful- (Freedom of Movement permission) filled, the right of residence exists by law. There is no It takes about three to eight weeks to issue an elec- specific certificate to this effect but the requirements tronic residence title. Should your residence title must be fulfilled and proof presented to the Residents’ elapse during this period, a “Fiktionsbescheinigung” States in the European Union (EU), Registration Office. (probationary certificate) must be issued. This is a the European Economic Area (EEA) and temporary substitute document that is usually valid Switzerland (Source: www.duesseldorf.de/auslaenderamt/eu_ser- for three months. vice/) If you are a national of an EU Member State, Iceland, There are three different types of probationary cer- Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland you need a tificate: “Duldungsfiktion”, “Erlaubnisfiktion” and recognised, valid passport or equivalent document Settlement permit “Fortbestandsfiktion”. (personal identity card) in order to enter and stay in Germany. You are not required to obtain a visa or A settlement permit is an unlimited residence per- If you have applied for your extension in good time residence title. mit which allows the holder to pursue gainful em- and now have to wait for the card to be issued, you ployment. In certain cases, if the applicant is highly will usually be given a “Fortbestandsfiktion” (pro- During the first three months after entering the qualified, a foreigner coming to Germany may be bationary continuation) (§81.4) because your old country you have unrestricted right of residence. issued with a settlement permit immediately after residence permit will continue to be valid until you After this, you will need Freedom of Movement per- entering the country. As a rule, however, foreigners receive your new card. mission, confirming that you fulfil the Freedom of are only entitled to a settlement permit if they have Movement requirements. spent five years in the country. You can ask at the It is possible to travel within the Schengen Area and Immigration Office. by direct flight to your own country on the strength Freedom of Movement applies to: of this kind of probationary certificate. You will be allowed to re-enter Germany at any time. Whilst »» individuals in employment (employed or self-em- you are using a probationary certificate, however, it ployed) is recommendable to enquire at the foreign mission »» individuals not in employment (e.g. students) (Embassy/Consulate) of the country to which you »» family members (including those from non-EU/ will be travelling whether you might incur any prob- EEA States) lems with entry and exit. »» long-term residents (in residence more than five years) 90 5 Entry and Residence 91

If your husband or wife is not an academic but Nationals of the EU, European would like to work in Germany, she or he will Economic Area and Switzerland usually be enti-tled to work without the prior approval of the Federal Employment Agency. If you are a citizen of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, You will have to apply at the Immigration Norway or Switzerland you enjoy the right to Free- Office for the type of residence permit that allows dom of Movement for workers. You do not need the holder to pursue gainful employment and also approval in order to pursue gainful employment. present a concrete job offer. Citizens of new EU Member States are usually only given full Freedom of Movement rights after a transitional period. Like nationals of third countries, they Academic activity during a short visit still require a residence permit which allows them to work in Germany. For academics from new Member If you work at a university in an academic capacity States (with a degree from a university or university for no more than three months in a twelve-month of applied science) special regulations may apply. period this does not count as employment in terms of the residence law. This usually means that you are not obliged to seek the approval of the Immigration Office for this activity. 5.4 Employment Law Regulations

As a foreigner, if you want to work in Germany you visiting researchers or technical staff employed in a usually require a residence title which allows you visiting researcher’s research team. These positions do to pursue gainful employment. You have to apply not require the approval of the Federal Employment for it at the Immigration Office in the place you are Agency. The Immigration Office itself is entitled to intending to stay, often as part of the visa procedure. issue authorisation allowing you to pursue academic In many cases the Immigration Office itself then activity and to enter this authorisation in your resi- has to seek the approval of the Federal Employment dence permit. Agency; however, this does not apply to academic personnel at universities and research institutes, 92 6 Accommodation 93

6.1 The rented property market

In Germany, accommodation is quite expensive, es- The relationship between supply and demand, par- pecially in larger cities. You will often have to spend ticularly in towns with a large percentage of students, up to 40% of your monthly salary/fellowship amount varies considerably over the course of the year. At the on rent. This is particularly true of the kind of ac- beginning of the semester demand is especially great. commodation required by visiting academics, that is, furnished or at least partly furnished, and available at short notice for a short period of time.

INSIDER INFO: We urgently recommend you to start looking for accommodation for yourself and your family well in advance, preferably several months before the start of your visit. Unless it states that an apartment is furnished or partly-furnished in the Accommodation advertisement, you must assume that the accommodation will not include any equipment or furniture. 94 6 Accommodation 95

6.2 Finding accommodation 6.3 Local accommodation providers

INSIDER INFO: Collecting the If you would prefer to search for accommodation You can also employ an estate agent to find an apart- The Duisburg and Essen housing markets are rela- mation and links that can help you find accommo- key yourself, you can study the offers on the relevant ment for you, although you may have to pay a com- tively cheap in comparison with other large cities. dation. You can also contact the Welcome Service Please take note of check-in times online portals, in local newspapers and on notice mission for this service. For a list of estate agents in None the less, the accommodation on offer and the for further advice ([email protected]). as it is not usually possible to boards around UDE. You can use all three options your town, visit the “Yellow Pages” and search under rents vary depending on the district. The following collect the key for the apartment to post your own advertisement searching for ac- “Immobilienmakler” and the name of your town: list is just a selection of providers. On the website www.uni-due.de/welcome-service/en/ at other times. As soon as you commodation. of the Welcome Service, you will find further infor- wohnen_en.php know when you will be arriving in www.gelbeseiten.de (in Germany only) Duisburg or Essen, please inform your landlord and agree on the best time for collecting the key. 96 6 Accommodation 97

Providers of furnished rooms and apartments Providers of furnished rooms and apartments

Duisburg Essen Duisburg Essen

Guesthouses of Studierendenwerk Guesthouses of Studierendenwerk MWZ Mitwohnzentrale Immobilien GmbH Zeitwohnen Rhein Ruhr GmbH (student services provider) (student services provider) Ruhrorter Str. 67–69 Blumental 34 Herr Jörg Albrecht Herr Jörg Albrecht 47059 Duisburg 50997 Köln Reckhammerweg, 1 45141 Essen Reckhammerweg, 1 45141 Essen 0203 19430 0221-800234-0 0201 82010-752 0201 82010-752 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.immendo.de > Fill in the search order www.zeitwohnen.de/moeblierte-wohnungen-essen www.stw-edu.de/en/accommodation/ www.stw-edu.de/en/accommodation/ The “Mitwohnzentrale” (MWZ) will help you to find a The housing agency "Zeitwohnen" will help you to locations/guesthouses/ locations/guesthouses/ furnished apartment. The mediation is free of find a furnished apartment. The mediation is free of Office hours Office hours commission for tenants. commission for tenants. Mon.: 9.00 am-1 pm, Tues.: 1 pm-3.30 pm Mon.: 9.00 am-1 pm, Tues.: 1 pm-3.30 pm Providers of unfurnished apartments Studentenwohnheim Duisburg Kolpinghaus Altenessen Covivio Immobilien GmbH Holteistr. 12–14, 47057 Duisburg Kolpingstr. 16, 45329 Essen Essener Str. 66 0203 356602 0201 8067567 46047 Oberhausen [email protected] [email protected] 0208 970640 www.studentenwohnheim-duisburg.de www.kolpinghaus-altenessen.de [email protected] Haus Lattarulo Urban Living Essen www.covivio.immo Danziger Str. 26, 47057 Duisburg Jägerstraße 25, 45127 Essen In some cases, apartments in Duisburg and Essen can be furnished by the provider if required. 0203 370429 07361 9412 573 [email protected] [email protected] LEG Wohnen NRW GmbH Welcome Service www.wohnen-duisburg.de www.urban-living-essen.de/en/apartments Hans-Böckler-Straße 38 40476 Düsseldorf Further information, addresses and links for finding 0211 7407400 accommodation can be found on the Welcome Campus 71 Essen [email protected] Service website. You can also contact the Welcome Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 71, 45127 Essen www.leg-wohnen.de Service by e-mail. 0234 97849100 www.uni-due.de/welcome-service/wohnen.php [email protected] You can also submit requests via Whatsapp, Telegram or [email protected] www.jansnel.de/wohnen/vermietung-essen/ Threema. Information about this in the respective offer. 98 6 Accommodation 99

List of abbreviations – accommodation

Kaut./Kt. Kaution deposit If you search for your own accommodation in Germany, you will come across a lot of abbreviations in advertisements. To facilitate your search for suitable accommodation we have prepared a list of abbreviations Prov. Provision commission with English translations. KDB Küche, Diele, Bad kitchen, hall, bathroom

MM Monatsmiete monthly rent

NK/NBK Nebenkosten additional costs such as heating, water, 2-Zi-Whg 2-Zimmer-Wohnung 2-room apartment cable TV, cleaning of shared areas, waste Abstellk Abstellkammer storeroom removal etc.

Blk/Balk. Balkon balcony NR Nichtraucher non-smoker N.B.: Electricity charges DG Dachgeschoss under the roof/attic rooms OG Obergeschoss floor (other than ground floor) The charge for electricity is not D Diele hall RH Reihenhaus terraced house included in the additional costs and must be paid to the electricity pro- DU Dusche shower Stellpl. Stellplatz parking space INSIDER INFO: vider directly. EBK Einbauküche fitted kitchen TG Tiefgarage underground parking When searching for an apartment online, bear in EFH Einfamilienhaus single family house TL Tageslicht bathroom with natural light mind that estate agents also EG Erdgeschoss ground floor warm/WM Warmmiete rent incl. all utilities costs such as offer accommodation on heating, water, cable TV, cleaning of internet platforms. Check EB Erstbezug first tenancy communal areas, waste removal etc. that you will not have to pay G-WC Gäste-WC separate toilet for guests any additional commission WBS Wohnberechtigungsschein a voucher which authorises you to apply to an agency before making HK Heizkosten heating costs for a flat subsidised by the city a final decision. HH Hochhaus high-rise building Wfl. Wohnfläche floor area

KM Kaltmiete rent excl. utilities costs such as heating, WG Wohngemeinschaft shared accommodation cable TV, cleaning of communal areas, WK Wohnküche open-plan kitchen waste removal etc. ZH Zentralheizung central heating 100 7 Employment Contract or Appointment 101

7.1 Employment Contract or Appointment LBV NRW www.finanzverwaltung.nrw.de/de/eckdaten/ kontaktdaten-lbv-nrw (in German only)

Academic employees at universities conclude em- LBV NRW International Guides ployment contracts with the university which state the salary scale and conditions of employment. In The “Landesamt für Besoldung und Versorgung The International Guides are contact persons in the Germany, however, many professors and academic NRW (LBV)” is the authority responsible for calcu- university administration who help international staff are public servants, and they are appointed. Pub- lating and paying the salaries of all employees and researchers with questions that go beyond the lic servants’ salaries are laid down by the “Bundes- public servants at the University of Duisburg-Essen, expertise of the Welcome Service. The International besoldungsgesetz” (the law regulating the salaries of so you will receive your salary statement from the Guides can support and advise you in both German public servants) and the corresponding regulations of LBV directly. You can find the coordinates of people and English on questions of the respective the respective Federal State. The salary scale for pro- to contact on your salary statement or by using your department or staff unit. fessors is called “W”. In most Federal States academic LBV-pin number to access the LBV’s website. Here www.uni-due.de/verwaltung/internationales/ staff are paid according to a collective pay agreement you will also find additional information on collective international-guides.php known as “TV-L”. pay agreements, child benefit and taxation.

You will have to sign your employment contract before you officially start working. Your institute or the Personnel Department will tell you in advance which forms and documents have to be submitted in Working and Research order to draw up the contract. As an employee you will usually be required to pay tax and social security contributions. This is dealt with in Chapters 8 and 9. Please read them carefully. INSIDER INFO: at University Details of your personal contact at UDE can be found in your employment contract. 102 7 Employment Contract or Appointment 103

For new members of staff 7.2 Visiting Fellowships EURAXESS funding database On the UDE website you will find information on www.euraxess.de > Jobs & Funding > the workplace (working hours, holidays, travel on Find funding university business, health and safety, acquisition If an institute invites you to work at the university as Finance and funding for research visits etc.), on employers’ contributions, interest groups, a fellow, you will become a member of the university to Germany DAAD funding programmes technical support and many other points. for the duration of your stay and will be entitled to www.uni-due.de/verwaltung/neu_an_der_uni make use of the facilities and opportunities offered There are a lot of funding programmes for foreign re- www.daad.de/en/ > Study & research in Germany > Find scholarships As a fellow or visiting researcher you are, of by the university. As such, you will be subject to the searchers who want to work in Germany as well as for course, entitled to make use of all the facilities terms and regulations obtaining at your host institute. German researchers looking to return to Germany such as libraries, refectories and university sports We recommend you to clarify major issues with your after an extended stay abroad. If you are interested in ELFI – Electronic Research Funding amenities. academic host at the earliest opportunity, such as the these programmes, EURAXESS Germany maintains Information System use of equipment and laboratories and how coopera- a comprehensive database containing more than 100 tion with other members of the academic and, if ap- programmes offered by funding organisations in www.elfi.info/e_index.php > Database research plicable, technical staff at the institute is supposed to Germany. You can also find funding programmes There are various types of employment contract the Personnel Department. Being a new member of work in practice. Please note that fellows and visiting for students, post-graduates and post-docs in the which can be concluded with the University of Duis- staff you are sure to have a lot of questions about the researchers are not insured by the university. You are scholarship database run by the German Academic burg-Essen for a research stay. Depending on the organisation and workflows within the university: obliged to take out health insurance cover yourself. In Exchange Service (DAAD). kind of contract, you will need different documents Where do I register an official trip and how do I addition, we recommend you to take out accident and forms to commence employment. Detailed in- render an account for it? Where can I get equipment and third-party liability insurance cover. Many formation on this can be found on the webpage of and material for my workplace? Who will repair my insurance companies offer appropriate insurance computer? Whom can I contact in case of conflicts? packages (see Chapter 8). What further training and advisory opportunities are there at the university? See the column at the side as well as Chapter 2 (“Practical Services at UDE”) for information on these and other questions. Please ask your colleagues about any other INSIDER INFO: What do academics earn in Germany? standard practices in your institute.

For information on collective pay agreements -l/allg/ (in German only) and salary scales visit: www.oeffentlicher-dienst.info/tv 104 7 Employment Contract or Appointment 105

7.3 Intellectual Property

Additional information: On principle, you should ask your host or employer Where a patent is registered depends on the type In Duisburg and Essen: about the handling of intellectual property, patents, of protection desired. If the German market suffic- www.euraxess.de and inventions at an early stage. At universities and es, you can approach the German Patent and Trade For all issues relating to intellectual property > Information & Assistance > Working in rights, patents and inventions you should turn to Germany > Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) research institutes there is nearly always an office re- Mark Office. Protection at European level can be sponsible for the transfer of research and technology. sought at the European Patent Office whilst the World the Science Support Centre at Essen Campus. This should be your first port of call to get advice on Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) offers Rolf Klingelberger dealing with intellectual property, and to register international protection of patents. Patents Administrator patents and licences. Here you will find information V15 S01 C72 on the necessary procedures and regulations at the 0201 183-2098 respective institution and also get support in carrying [email protected] out the steps required to complete registration. www.uni-due.de/ssc/patente/

INSIDER INFO: For further useful information for UDE employees visit: www.uni-due.de/verwaltung/beschaeftigte (in German only) 106 8 Social Security in Germany 107

8.1 Research visit based on an employment contract

If you conduct your research in Germany on the Health Insurance basis of an employment contract you are required to pay fixed statutory social security contributions. In Germany, “Krankenversicherung” (health insur- The employer and the employee each pay half of the ance) is mandatory. The Immigration Office requires contributions. Accident insurance contributions are proof that you are insured before it will issue a resi- paid entirely by the employer. dence permit. There are two types of health insurance in Germany: statutory health insurance and private As soon as you start your new job, your host institu- health insurance. tion will take the steps necessary to register you for insurance. You can register with the “Krankenkasse” Statutory health insurance List of statutory health insurances (health insurance provider) of your choice, which will then inform the other social security providers. If you The level of contributions to statutory health insur- www.krankenkassen.de/ do not choose a provider yourself, you will automat- ance providers has been standardised. The benefits gesetzliche-krankenkassen/ ically be registered with a provider selected by the of statutory health insurance are also largely stan- krankenkassen-liste/ university. Once registration has been completed you dardised. There are, however, differences in addi- will receive a “Versicherungsnummer” (insurance tional contributions and benefits, optional premiums number) from the pension scheme provider. The and customer service. As you are free to choose your employer is responsible for paying the contributions statutory health insurance provider, it makes sense Social Security in and will deduct the sum at source. to compare the benefits on offer. Contributions for health insurance cover are deducted from your gross Germany salary at source. 108 8 Social Security in Germany 109

List of private health insurance By contrast to private insurance companies, statutory Private health insurance Pension scheme Recognition of pension rights providers insurance providers pay the costs to the doctor or hospital directly. You merely have to present your In contrast to statutory health insurance, employees Contributions to the “Rentenversicherung”, the Ger- When examining the prerequisites for entitlement, www.pkv.de/w/files/verband/ insurance card before treatment. are not necessarily eligible for private health insur- man pension scheme, are part of statutory social se- Member States of the EU, the EEA, Switzerland or die-unternehmen-der-pkv.pdf ance. Eligibility is dependent on annual income. If curity payments. The scheme protects those insured Partners to the Agreement are obliged to recognise If your marital partner or children are accompanying you earn more than the annually-changing annual and their families if their employment capacity is periods during which pension rights have been ac- Advice on pension schemes you to Germany it may be possible, under certain ceiling, you can choose between statutory and private endangered or reduced and when it ends due to age crued in Germany. Periods during which pension circumstances, to insure them on the same policy health insurance cover. In employment contracts, pri- or death. It covers medical rehabilitation measures, rights have been accrued in countries which do not Statutory pension scheme at no additional cost (family insurance). In order to vate health insurance is a comprehensive insurance professional rehabilitation, pensions due to dimin- have a “Sozialversicherungsabkommen” (social se- Before you leave Germany at the very latest, you benefit from this offer, the family members must be and should therefore not be confused with travel ished employment capacity or incapacity, old-age curity agreement) with Germany may not be added should contact the “Deutsche Rentenversicherung” registered in Germany as their main residence. insurance (see Chapter 8.2). pensions, dependents’ pensions. to the German periods in order to fulfil the prereq- for advice on the pension rights you have accrued uisites for entitlement. If you have been employed in in Germany and potential refunds. Only in extremely exceptional cases and only if a Contributions to the statutory pension scheme are different countries in the course of your working life social security agreement has been signed with Ger- deducted from salaries at source. As a rule, the em- and have paid contributions to the respective social Deutsche Rentenversicherung many, the health insurance regulations obtaining in ployer is responsible for paying half of the contribu- security systems you should make enquiries about your own country may continue to be valid. Please tion towards pensions, the employee the other half. your entitlements with the social security providers In Duisburg make sure you enquire with your health insurance You will not need to do anything about this yourself. in the individual countries well in advance. Hohe Straße 32 provider at home whether this is an option for you. 47051 Duisburg Under certain circumstances, your payments will ac- Pension contribution refunds 0203 281901 crue rights towards an eventual pension; if this is not [email protected] the case, you can have your contributions refunded. If you return to a country which does not have a social security agreement with Germany you may In Essen be eligible for a refund of the pension contributions Hindenburgstraße 88 you have paid in Germany. After a waiting period of 45127 Essen two years, you may apply to the “Deutsche Renten- 0201 189801 INSIDER INFO: “Find your pension” versicherung” (German statutory pension scheme) [email protected] www.findyourpension.eu for a refund. Under certain circumstances, you can continue to pay voluntary contributions to this pen- Free hotline On this po sion scheme after your research visit has come to an 0800 1000-4800 rtal you can find out about the pension schemes and pension institutions in the various countries of Europe. end in order to comply with the waiting period, for www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de mobile researchers and provides information onTh futuree website pension is designed rights for example, and thus become eligible for pension rights. > click on “Language” for English or French you can accrue in Europe. Enquire whether a refund is possible and advisable in your particular case. 110 8 Social Security in Germany 111

Occupational pensions Occupational pension Unemployment insurance Brochure “Gesetzlicher Unfall versicherungsschutz an Hochschulen” VBL. Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der If your employment contract classifies you as a public Unemployment insurance, called “Arbeitslosenver- (Statutory Accident Insurance at Länder service employee you will be included in the statutory sicherung” in German, is part of statutory social se- Universities) Hans-Thoma-Str. 19 “Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder” curity. It provides insurance cover for jobless people 76133 Karlsruhe (Pension Institution of the Federal Republic and to ensure that they have a secure income while they http://publikationen.dguv.de/dguv/ 0721 939893-1 the Länder, VBL) as well. Your employer will there- are searching for work. pdf/10002/si-8083.pdf (in German only) fore register you with VBL. VBL provides old-age Tailored information for academics on pensions, pensions for those unable to work due to If you were in work in Germany before becoming Reporting an accident fixed-term contracts: illness or disability as well as widows’ and orphans’ unemployed, were employed subject to statutory VBLspezial pensions which also apply to registered civil partners social security regulations for at least twelve months If an accident occurs at work or on the way to or www.vbl.de/en/products and half-orphans. in the preceding two years, and are available for re- from work you are recommended to report it first cruitment you will normally be entitled to German of all to the “Stabsstelle für Arbeitssicherheit und Umweltschutz” (“staff units”: Operational Safety German Federal Employment Agency If you are employed at a university on a fixed-term unemployment benefit. Periods of employment in contract you can be exempted from VBL’s statutory other EU Member States/EEA States and Switzerland and Ecology & Waste Management). The staff will The “Bundesagentur für Arbeit” (German Federal insurance scheme. However, your employer will have cannot be taken into account. tell you what you need to do next because Employment Agency) is the unemployment insur- to register you for VBL’s voluntary insurance scheme. accidents have to be reported to the “Unfallkasse ance provider, represented by its local employment In this case, it is only the employer who pays into the Unemployment insurance is deducted from salaries Accident insurance NRW” (statutory accident insurance provider) agencies. scheme, at a reduced premium however. This means at source. As an employee you do not have to do immediately using a pre-printed form signed by a www.arbeitsagentur.de/en/welcome that you can accrue pension rights without paying anything about it. The employer is responsible for superior. The printout of the form must be hand- contributions yourself. paying half of the contribution towards unemploy- Statutory accident insurance ed-in to the “staff units”: Operational Safety and ment insurance, the employee the other half. Ecology & Waste Management. You can only apply to the Personnel Department for Another pillar of statutory social security is accident trade association) and the contributions are paid in exemption within first 2 months of starting work. To what extent your German contribution periods insurance. If you have an employment contract and full by the employer. Please note that you must report www.uni-due.de/verwaltung/arbeitssicherheit/ VBL will advise you on the pension rights accruing will be recognised in other countries is something suffer an accident at work or on the way to and from an accident immediately or as quickly as possible. arbeitsunfall.php INSIDER INFO: from your occupational pension scheme or, if you you will have to enquire about in the respective coun- work you are protected by statutory accident insur- The requisite forms can be found on the website of You can obtain an application are covered by the statutory scheme for less than 60 try. ance. It also covers occupational illness. Statutory the “staff units”: Operational Safety and Ecology & Forms for Unfallkasse NRW form for exemption from your months, on the possibility of having your contribu- accident insurance for employees is provided by the Waste Management as well as the “Unfallkasse NRW” www.unfallkasse-nrw.de/service/formulare/ Personnel Department. tions refunded. relevant “Berufsgenossenschaft” (professional or (statutory accident insurance provider, NRW). unfallanzeigen/unfallanzeigen-ii.html (in German only) 112 8 Social Security in Germany 113

In Essen Nursing care insurance Special case: public servants

Stabsstelle für Arbeitssicherheit und Nursing care insurance, which is directly linked to Public servants are employees who are appointed Pensions are also affected by the exemption from stat- Another difference ensuing from exemption from Umweltschutz (“staff units”: Operational health insurance cover and automatically taken out under the laws governing the employment of public utory social security. Traditionally, the public service statutory social security is exclusion from unemploy- Safety and Ecology & Waste Management) with it, is another element of statutory social security. servants in Germany, such as professors. Due to this working relationship was based on the assumption of ment benefit in case of unemployment following a Mr Jörg Grabowski Nursing care insurance helps people who are in need special employment relationship, particular regula- tenure for life, which meant that when public servants fixed-term public service appointment. In this case Universitätsstr. 1 of care and dependent on the assistance of others. It tions often apply to this group. retired they immediately received a pension. In the (although not if the public servant leaves public ser- Room T01 S03 B17 provides for domestic and in-patient care. last few years, however, the number of public service on a voluntary basis before reaching pensionable 45141 Essen One of the most important differences is that public vants on fixed-term contracts (junior professors, for age), a transitional allowance is paid. The amount 0201 183-3628 Contributions to nursing care insurance are deduct- servants are exempt from statutory social security. example) has increased, meaning that it is now pos- depends on the previous salary and the duration of 0201 183-933628 ed at source from the employee’s gross salary. As a Instead of the statutory health and nursing care insur- sible to leave public service without pension rights. the public service working relationship. [email protected] rule, the employer pays half the contributions, the ance, part of the costs of health- and nursing care and If this is the case, the former public service employer www.uni-due.de/verwaltung/organisation/ employee the other half. Childless employees pay a births is covered by the so-called “Beihilfe”, which will pay retrospective insurance contributions into There are also differences between public servants arbeitssicherheit_umweltschutz.php (in surcharge. Contributions cannot be refunded. is a form of allowance. Being a partial payment, it the “Deutsche Rentenversicherung” as though the and employees with regard to accidents at work. Pub- German only) does not cover the costs completely. Consequently, employee had been classed as an employee and not lic servants do not receive payments from the “Un- public servants are obliged to take out additional a public servant for the entire duration. Retrospec- fallkasse” (statutory accident insurance provider). private health and nursing care insurance. Children tive contributions are not, however, paid into the Any measures required as a result of an accident will and marital partners who are not subject to statuto- “Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder” be covered by “Beihilfe” or the public service em- ry insurance can benefit from “Beihilfe” as well. If, (Pension Institution of the Federal Republic and the ployer. Accidents at work or on the way to and from however, a public servant prefers not to be insured Länder, VBL). work should therefore be reported to the university privately or is unable to do so for any reason, such as soon as possible. as existing health issues, s/he can join the statutory insurance scheme on a voluntary basis. This entails waiving the right to “Beihilfe”. 114 8 Social Security in Germany 115

Brochure “Gesetzlicher As private comprehensive insurances are very ex- Accident insurance “Your Europe Advice” Unfallversicherungsschutz an pensive, many providers offer special tariffs for in- Here you can access an online form to get personal Hochschulen” (Statutory Accident ternational researchers who are only staying for the Fellows registered at university are covered by statu- advice on EU legal matters relating to living, Insurance at Universities) duration of a research visit. The services and tariffs tory accident insurance. If, however, you are neither contained in these contracts are different from those enrolled at a university nor have an employment con- working and travelling in the EU http://publikationen.dguv.de/dguv/ of private comprehensive insurances and should not tract, you may not be insured by the university and European Commission pdf/10002/si-8083.pdf (in German only) be confused with them. Whilst the latter are much may have to arrange your insurance cover yourself. europa.eu/youreurope/advice/ more comprehensive, they are also considerably more It is, therefore, advisable to find out well in advance EUlisses: Links and information on expensive. It is very important to note that most costs whether statutory accident insurance applies to you. social security incurred for illness predating the stay in Germany Apart from health insurance, which is essential, it is will not be covered. Provided that you respect import also recommendable to take out insurance against ac- Advice on pension schemes www.ec.europa.eu/social regulations, it may, therefore, be wise to bring any cident and third-party liability claims. Many provid- Deutsche Rentenversicherung > English > Policies and activities > necessary medicines with you from home. Insurances ers offer combined health, accident and third-party In Duisburg Moving & working in Europe > EU also tend to exclude pregnancy, dental treatment and liability insurance. Hohe Straße 32 Social security coordination mental health disorders. 47051 Duisburg 0203 281901

In Essen Hindenburgstraße 88 8.2 Research visit based on a fellowship 45127 Essen 0201 189801

Free hotline Non-EU citizens 0800 1000-4800 www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de > click on “Language” for English and Health insurance French INSIDER INFO If your stay in Germany is based on a fellowship health insurance cover. Barring certain extremely In the brochure “Gesetzlicher Unfallversicherungs and not an employment contract you will usually be exceptional cases, you will have to take out private schutz an Hochschulen” (Statutoryfin Accidentd detailed exempt from statutory social security contributions. insurance cover. Insurance at Universities) you will You must, however, ensure that you have adequate information on insurance cover for various groups of people employed at universities and institutions of higher education. 116 8 Social Security in Germany 117

EU citizens Disclaimer

EU citizens should initially enquire with their health The insurance providers contained in the following insurance provider at home whether their domestic list are known to the authors of this guide. The insurance cover will continue to be valid during the latter accept no responsibility for the quality or stay in Germany. If this is the case, you can choose completeness of the information. a German statutory health insurance provider as a representative to settle the costs of any doctors’ Statutory health insurance providers visits with your domestic provider. You will receive the same benefits from the German health insur- The following statutory health insurance providers ance provider for yourself and any members of your have branches in all larger German towns: family who are also insured as you would if you were registered with a German statutory health insurance AOK www.aok.de/pk/rh/(in German only) provider. BARMER en If it is not possible to continue being insured with www.en.barmer.de/ your domestic health insurance provider you have DAK Deutsche Angestellten-Krankenkasse the choice of either registering voluntarily with a www.dak.de/dak/english-2167614.html#/ statutory health insurance provider in Germany or Techniker Krankenkasse Pension scheme taking out a private travel and comprehensive insur- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) www.tk.de/en ance (see above). Particularly if you are only making As you do not have an employment relationship you a short visit, you can also use your European Health To facilitate treatment during temporary visits However, the EHIC only has limited scope which will usually not be liable for statutory social security Insurance Card when consulting a doctor. abroad, every health insurance scheme is obliged to means it is advisable to take out an additional insur- List of statutory health insurance providers payments. In order to avoid gaps in your pension issue its members with a European Health Insurance ance if you are staying for a longer period of time. www.gkv-spitzenverband.de/krankenkassenliste.pdf contributions during the fellowship period you can Card. In case of illness in another EU country, or The European Health Insurance Card is, for example: pay voluntary contributions to the “Deutsche Renten- in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, versicherung” (statutory pension scheme). The latter medical services are provided according to the laws »» only valid for essential medical services (the rele- will advise you on the matter. of the host country and reimbursed according to the vant doctor will decide what is essential) charges applying there. »» not valid for trips abroad specifically for the purpose of treatment »» not valid for the costs incurred in transporting an invalid home 118 9 Taxation in Germany 119

9.1 Research Stay Based on a Scholarship

If your research stay in Germany is based on a schol- the organisation that has awarded the scholarship. arship, you may, under certain circumstances, be Furthermore, you should enquire whether the schol- exempt from taxation under German income tax arship paid in Germany is subject to taxation in your Taxation in Germany law. We recommend you to discuss this matter with own country. The preconditions for tax exemption on scholarships in Germany are:

»» The scholarship is paid from public funds or »» The scholarship does not exceed the amount awarded by a public or non-profit agency (pro- needed to carry out the research task or to cover vided that it is recognised under German law) living expenses/training needs. or by international inter- or supra-governmental institutions of which the Federal Republic of Ger- »» The scholarship is granted in accordance with the many is a member. regulations of the donor.

»» The scholarship is awarded for the purpose of »» The scholarship does not stipulate quid pro quo promoting research or for academic or artistic or the employment of the recipient. educational or professional development. 120 9 Taxation in Germany 121

9.2 Research Stay Based on an 9.3 Double Taxation Agreements Finanzamt Düsseldorf-Süd Kruppstr. 110–112 Employment Contract 40227 Düsseldorf In order to avoid a situation in which foreigners are The “Finanzamt Düsseldorf-Süd” is the tax office Ms Andrea Waldecker liable to pay tax both in Germany and in their own to contact about matters relating to double taxation 0211 77983-736 If your research stay is based on an employment contract in Germany and will last more than 6 months, your countries, double taxation agreements have been for employees of the University of Duisburg-Essen. Ms Marion Bloch globally-earned income and assets will, as a rule, be subject to taxation in Germany. concluded with many countries. They regulate in This office will review your application and confirm 0211 77983-571 which country you have to pay tax. your tax class. If you have any other questions, www.finanzverwaltung.nrw.de/de/ please contact the “Finanzamt Düsseldorf -Süd” for eckdaten/kontaktdaten-dusseldorf- Income Tax (Einkommensteuer) If you stay for less than 6 months (183 days), your advice. sud (in German only) income will be taxed in your own country, provided Your employer, the university, will deduct income that you work for a foreign employer and that a dou- tax (equivalent to tax on wages) from your salary at ble taxation agreement has been concluded assigning source and pay it to the tax authorities. The amount of the right of taxation to your own country in such a tax depends on factors such as income, marital status case. If any of these conditions is not met, your salary and tax class. Any person registered in or subject to will be taxed in Germany. taxation in Germany is assigned a tax ID number for tax purposes. You will receive this number by Agreements exist with some countries which allow INSIDER INFO: Double Taxation Agreements post within a few days of registering at the Residents’ you to pay tax in your own country if you are a uni- Registration Office or Immigration Office. It is valid versity teacher or researcher who comes to Germany Visit the website of the Federal Ministry of Finance for a list of for life. Citing your tax ID number and your date of for a maximum of two years (in most agreements) in the countries that have signed double taxation agreements with birth, your employer will contact the tax authorities order to teach or do research at a public institution. Germany: to request what is called your ELSTAM information, Details can be found in the double taxation agree- www.bundesfinanzministerium.de i.e. the information required to calculate the correct ments for Member States of the EU and certain other > English > Issues > Taxation > Double Tax tax deduction. You can refer to your income tax state- countries. ation ment to view your current ELSTAM data. 122 9 Taxation in Germany 123

In Duisburg 9.4 Tax Return Useful information on the topic of taxation in Germany: Finanzamt Duisburg-Süd Landfermannstr. 25 Federal Tax Information Centre 47051 Duisburg (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern) Please find out if you are required to file a tax return. INSIDER INFO 0203 30010 www.bzst.de/EN/Service/Tax_Infocenter/ Search for your local tax office online: 0800 10092675109 tax_infocenter_node.html At the end of each calendar year, you may apply for www.bzst.de/DE/Service/Behoerd From abroad: 0049 203 30011200 an income tax adjustment (“Lohnsteuerausgleich”) enwegweiser/Finanzamtsuche/ Federal Ministry of Finance General opening hours at your local tax office. This may entitle you to a par- GemFa/finanzamtsuche_node.html (Bundesfinanzministerium) Mon.–Fri.: 8.30 am–12.00 noon tial refund of the tax you have paid. The necessary Use the following link to access www.bundesfinanzministerium.de Tues.: also 1.30 pm–3 pm documents can be obtained online from the Federal tax forms: Ministry of Finance or your local tax office (“Finan- /Web/EN/Home/home.html www.formulare-bfinv.de Service and Information point zamt”) or town hall (“Rathaus”). You can also file (in Germany only) Mon., Wed.–Fri.: 7.30 am–12.00 noon your tax electronically, using a system called ELSTER Association of German Tax Accountants – Tues.: 7:30 am–4 pm (“elektronische Lohnsteuererklärung”). Search for a tax accountant in the tax accountant database database: www.dstv.de/en/dstv-en In Essen If you have already returned home, you have the op- www.dstv.de/en/dstv-en tion of filing your tax return from your own country. The organisation “Lohn- und Ein- Finanzamt Essen-Nordost It should be filed with your former local tax office Altendorfer Str. 129 kommensteuer Hilfe-Ring” offers tax by 31 May, but no later than 31 December of the advice for its members: 45143 Essen following calendar year. Once the tax officehas pro- 9.5 Church Tax 0201 18940 www.steuerring.de (in German cessed your return, you will receive a tax statement only) 0800 10092675111 (“Steuerbescheid”) informing you whether you will From abroad: 0049 201 18941220 receive a refund and, if so, how much. An unusual feature of the German tax system is its your religious affiliation when you register at the Service and Information point: state-collected Church Tax. Under certain circum- Residents’ Registration Office or Immigration Office. Mon., Tue., Fri.: 7 am–12 noon Often, it is worth paying a tax accountant to help you stances, religious communities can have the tax au- Tues.: 1.30 pm-3 pm complete your tax return. thorities collect Church Tax on their behalf. In the Not all religious communities collect Church Tax Thurs.: 7 am - 5 pm case of the major churches, the state collects Church through the state, so please enquire at the Residents’ Wed.: closed all day Tax (8-9 percent of your Income Tax) together with Registration Office whether Church Tax applies to Income Tax by deducting it directly from your you. monthly salary. This is why you are asked to state 124 10 Bringing your family on a research stay 125

10.1 Child care Day-care centres in Duisburg The following search function will help you choose a day-care centre: If you are bringing your children to Germany, you Day-care centres and nursery schools www.duisburg.de/wohnenleben/kindergaerten/ kindergaerten.php should start researching child care options as soon as possible and, if necessary, make arrangements Day-care centres, known as Kitas, provide care for You can also use the parent portal "Kita-Place" to while you are still in your own country. Even though children from 3 months until school-age. Care is search for facilities and direct inquiries to them. Germany is making serious efforts to offer more child usually provided all day from 7 am to 5 pm. https://kitaplatz.duisburg.de/php care options, places may be limited and will always require registration. The child care year begins on Nursery schools offer care for children from the age Day-care centres in Essen 1st August and ends on 31st July of the following of 2–3 until they reach school-age. Care is usually year. Once the year has begun, children can only be provided from 7 am to 2 pm or 4 pm. The City of Essen provides information on child accepted if there are free places. There are two types care on its website: of child care: facilities such as day-care centres and If you require child care, please contact the day- www.essen.de/kitas nursery schools/kindergarten, or in-home care pro- care centre or nursery school well in advance and Here you can use the portal "LITTLE BIRD" to vided by an individual. register your child so that the facility can reserve a search for facilities and direct inquiries to them. place for you. Fees are charged according to parental https://kinderbetreuung.essen.de/ The cost of child care is usually dependent on income. income and depend on the number of hours your You will have to bear the cost yourself. child spends at the facility per week. Most facilities offer lunch as well as educational programmes. INSIDER INFO: KiTa Finder NRW finder Kitas at UDE The “KiTa-Finder NRW” (Day-care ally and Bringing your family NRW) helps you to search specific The Kita “Campino” on the Duisburg Campus and comprehensively for day care for your children the Kita “Die Brückenspatzen” on the Essen Cam- in your area. It provides information on all pus each have 50 places for children from 4 months types of day-care facility and family centre in on a research stay to 6-years-old. The Kitas are open from Monday to North Rhine-Westphalia. Thursday from 7.30 am to 5 pm and on Friday to 4 www.kitafinder.nrw.de pm. 126 10 Bringing your family on a research stay 127

In-home day-care Day-care facilities Family portal issued by the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior In-home child care offers supervision and educa- FSB offers child care in the form of in-house child Duisburg Essen Citizens, Women and Youth: tion mainly for children under the age of 3, which is care at DU-E-KIDS, holiday care, finding babysitters Kita Campino Kita Brückenspatzen www.familienportal.de/familienportal/meta/ usually provided at the home of the child-minder. In and short-term care. It also provides advice on topics Geibelstr. 57 Universitätsstr. 19 languages/family-benefits UDE’s Family Service Office addition to small, family-based child care, a large- such as the reconciliation of work and family life, 0203 6045610 0201 231919 scale provider can accommodate up to 9 children. child care options, maternity leave, parental leave [email protected] [email protected] Fees are charged based on parental income. and parental allowance as well as the reconciliation More information on the Campus Essen of work and care. Betriebskindertagesstätte des UK Essen individual facilities Ms. Sabine Gotschol Child care enquiries, care advice, To find qualified child-minders with a valid child Emergency fund Am Mühlenbach 7 Student Services Essen-Duisburg DU-E-KIDS in-house care care permit issued by the Youth Welfare Office, please 0201 723-2468 (Campino, Brückenspatzen, Campuskids, Frau Claudia Kippschull refer approach the Youth Welfare Officeor other Tiegelkids): agencies. UDE’s “Emergency fund” is a form of support on [email protected] R13 V00 G25 www.stw-edu.de/en/child-care/ 0201 183-4249 offer to junior researchers during the doctoral and Day care The easiest way to find a babysitter to mind your chil- post-doc phase. In special situations, the cost of [email protected] Family Service (DU-E-KIDS, short-term dren for a few hours during the day or in the evening care needs can be reimbursed to the value of up to DU-E-KIDS DU-E-KIDS care): is to ask colleagues or neighbours. 100 per cent of costs incurred. A special situation Ms. Mirke Maenz Ms. Gabriele Quickels www.uni-due.de/familienservice Campus Duisburg would mean, for example, the caregiver suddenly Kammerstr. 206–208, Lotharstraße 65 Universitätsstr. 2, Building R13 V00 Family 0203 379-1573 0201 183-4211 > Betreuungsangebote If you would like to make an appointment in UDE Service Office falling ill, participation in a conference or other Mob.: 0160 94738743 Mob.: 0160 98035471 Duisburg, please phone Claudia Kippschull in the research-related event, an official trip, the final University Hospital Essen (Betriebs- [email protected] [email protected] Family Service Office. The Family Service Office (FSB) is an advisory phase of a habilitation, doctorate or degree course, kindertagesstätte des UK Essen): and service point for staff at the University of or comparable situations. Visit www.uni-due.de/ Campuskids Tiegelkids www.uk-essen.de/betriebskindergarten/ Duisburg-Essen. The university runs this service in diversity/feuerwehrtopf for information on Ms. Monika van der Wel Ms. Beata Hesch startseite/ Information on offers for families order to help its staff combine scientific careers application and application forms. Mülheimer Str. 202 Tiegelstr. 21 made by the Youth Welfare Office: and employment with having a family. 0203 34699551 0201 36598529 City of Duisburg: [email protected] [email protected] www.duisburg.de/vv/oe/dezernat-iii/51/ Short-term care Jugendamt.php Short-term care requirements can be assessed and Ms. Alexandra Spoden City of Essen: possibly arranged at the Duisburg Campus. Universitätsstr. 2 https://service.essen.de/detail/-/vr-bis- detail/einrichtung/8232/show R13 V00 G25 0201 183-4212 [email protected] 128 10 Bringing your family on a research stay 129

10.2 Schools More information on the school Local Integration Centres NRW system in North Rhine-Westphalia and Duisburg Germany: Sonnenwall 73-75 In Germany it is compulsory to attend school be- State schools are free in Germany. In the field of 47051 Duisburg Education portal of the State of North tween the ages of 6 and 15 although the school general education, there are only a few private or in- Rhine-Westphalia: systems in the various federal states can differ. In ternational schools that charge fees. The local school 0203 2838111 www.schulministerium.nrw.de North-Rhine-Westphalia, compulsory education authority can provide information about the partic- [email protected] starts with primary school (Years 1–4), after which ulars of the school system in your area. www.kommunale-integrationszentren-nrw.de/ German Education Server: pupils have the choice between 3 different types of duisburg www.bildungsserver.de school in Germany’s multi-track educational system: The choice of school is usually made after a personal “Hauptschule” ends after year 9 or 10 with a certifi- visit and consultation with a member of the school Essen Conference of German Ministers of Education: cate called “Hauptschulabschluss”. “Realschule” ends leadership team. The academic year begins after the Gildehofcenter, Hollestraße 3 www.kmk.org > Themen > Allgemeinbildende after year 10 with the “Realschulabschluss”, “Gymna- summer holidays in August or September, depending Schulen 45127 Essen sium” ends after year 12 or 13 with the “Abitur”. In ad- on the federal state. In Germany, most classes are 0201 88 88461 dition, there are comprehensive schools which cover held during the morning hours. However, North [email protected] all stages of secondary education (all school-leaving Rhine-Westphalia is currently expanding diverse In Duisburg www.essen.de > Leben in Essen > Migration certificates) as well as new secondary schools, which forms of day schooling. und Integration > Kommunales Integrations- Information and search engine – were introduced in 2012, and combine various types zentrum City of Duisburg: of school under one roof. They also issue various www.kommunale-integrationszentren-nrw.de/ www.duisburg.de > Bildung und school-leaving certificates. Secondary schools do essen Wissenschaft > Schulen in Duisburg not have a sixth form of their own but officially co- INSIDER INFO: School holiday child care at UDEe operate with at least one sixth form at a grammar INSIDER INFO: Local In Essen school, comprehensive school or college. Colleges During the Easter, summer and autumn holidays the Family Service are a form of vocational school that can be attended Integration Centres NRW Office offers a varied programme of holiday activities. The children of Information – City of Essen: university employees and students at UDE and Essen University after Year 10. Students are trained in selected voca- The Local Integration Centres (KI) www.essen.de/schulen tional fields and can take the “Fachhochschulreife”, Hospital up to the age of 14, who have already started school, are are responsible, amongst other eligible to participate. The activities take place on the Essen Campus Contact: a qualification entitling them to study at a university things, for supporting children and from 8 am to 4 pm. Schools of applied science. young people from immigrant fami- 0201 183-2692 0201 8840001 lies. They will be happy to advise you [email protected] [email protected] on schooling for your child/ren. 130 10 Bringing your family on a research stay 131

Local contacts for questions about Application process: Maternity Rights and Parental Leave child benefit The application must be submitted in writing to the Employees are entitled to take parental leave before Depending on your contract and country of origin, respective Family or Child Benefit Office. The forms their child’s third birthday. Parental Leave enables your application may be handled by different Fam- are available online. you to care for your child. ily or Child Benefit Offices. Please enquire which address to contact about your specific case: Generally, we recommend you to submit an applica- Pregnant employees are given maternity rights. This tion and familiarise yourself in detail with the respon- includes maternity protection leave which begins 6 LBV NRW – Family Benefit Office sibilities of the Family Offices as well as your own weeks before the birth and ends 8 weeks after the 0211 602301 rights. Currently, a residence permit for the purpose birth. This protection is regulated by law in Germa- Postal address: 40192 Düsseldorf of (doctoral) study does not constitute eligibility ny and the mother is not allowed to work during www.finanzverwaltung.nrw.de/de/kindergeld for child benefit. Therefore, if you hold this kind of this time. Your position will be held open for you so LBV application for child benefit: residence permit, you should verify whether your that you can return to your work after the end of the www.finanzverwaltung.nrw.de/sites/default/files/ partner is eligible. maternity protection leave. For further information asset/document/g02_kg1_antrag_kg_3.pdf on maternity rights and parental leave, please contact the Personnel Department. Hotline of the Family Benefit Offices in NRW City of Essen 0800 4555530 (child benefit and children’s 10.3 Family Benefits allowance) Family Benefit Office Essen 0800 4555533 (payment dates) Berliner Platz 10 Mon.–Fri.: 8.00 am–6.00 pm 45127 Essen Child benefit Application form for child benefit from the Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit): City of Duisburg Parents can apply for child benefit for their chil- be eligible for child benefit if the applicant is subject dren up to the age of at least 18. Under certain cir- to unlimited income tax liability in Germany. www.arbeitsagentur.de > Familie und Kinder > Kindergeld Family Benefit Office Krefeld cumstances, foreign parents are also eligible for this beantragen > Downloads > Antrag auf Kindergeld (click on Philadelphiastr. 2 benefit. The monthly amount of child benefit is currently „Weitere Downloads“ to obtain the form in other 47799 Krefeld 204 euros for the first and second child, 210 euros languages („in anderen Sprachen“)) Familienkasse-Nordrhein-Westfalen- Applicants are usually eligible for child benefit if they for the third child and 235 euros for the fourth [email protected] More information on child benefit: are resident in or habitually reside in Germany. If the and each additional child. www.arbeitsagentur.de > English > Financial Support Postal address: applicant resides outside of Germany, s/he may still www.bmfsfj.de > Familie > Leistungen und Förderung Familienkasse NRW West 50574 Köln 132 10 Bringing your family on a research stay 133

In Duisburg: Parental allowance and parental Parental allowance is 65-67 per cent of the average In Essen: allowance plus monthly earnings prior to the birth after deducting Submit applications for parental support to: Submit applications for parental support to: taxes, social insurance contributions and professional Amt für Soziales und Wohnen Youth Welfare Office Duisburg Parental allowance and parental allowance plus are expenses. It is, however, limited to a maximum of Klinkestr. 29-31 Ludgeristr. 12 designed to compensate for loss of income after the 1,800 euros and a minimum of 300 euros. Non-work- 45136 Essen 47057 Duisburg birth of a child. The allowance and eligibility require- ing parents receive the minimum amount in addition 0201 8850588 0203 2836999 ments vary according to the parents’ employment to their previous family income. Parental allowance [email protected] [email protected] situation after the birth of the child, but can be com- can be claimed by both mother and father from birth www.essen.de/leben/einstieg_fuer/eltern/ www.duisburg.de/vv/produkte/pro_du/ bined. Germany is planning to introduce a partner- until the child reaches 14 months of age. The mini- elterngeld.de.html dez_iii/51/elterngeld-elternzeit.php ship bonus that will allow the eligibility period for mum duration is 2 months. Both parents can divide Office hours: parental allowance to be extended yet further. the period between them. The maximum claim peri- Office hours: Mon., Thurs.: 8.00 am–3.00 pm od for any one parent is 12 months. It can be extended Mon., Tues.: 8.30 am–12.30 pm, 2.00pm–3.00pm Eligibility requirements: by two additional months if earnings cease and the Thurs.: 8.30 am–12.30 pm, 2.00pm–4.00pm Fri.: partner is involved in caring for the child. 8.30 am–12.30 pm Mothers and fathers are eligible for parental allowance and parental allowance plus if they Single parents who have sole custody or at least the Additional information on eligibility »» are entitled to pursue gainful employment right to determine the place of residence can receive for parental allowance: »» care for and raise their children themselves after parental allowance to compensate for their loss of www.mkffi.nrw/elterngeld-und-elternzeit birth earnings and, due to the absence of a partner, claim the lost portion of income, limited to half of the Application process and deadlines: www.familienportal.de »» pursue gainful employment for no more than 30 the full 14 months for themselves. Since parental al- monthly parental allowance that a parent would be > Sprache: auswählen > English INSIDER INFO: Tax allowances hours a week lowance is paid exclusively on the basis of the child’s entitled to if he or she did not work at all. However, Parental allowance must be requested from the www.bmfsfj.de > Themen > Familie > for children »» live in the same household with their children age in months, the amount of parental leave request- one month of regular parental allowance translates relevant local authority using a form that can be Familienleistungen > Elterngeld This »» are resident in or habitually reside in Germany ed from the employer should always match the child’s into two months of parental allowance plus, meaning completed online and must be submitted bearing In Germany, taxpayers are entitled to age in months. that the eligibility period for parental allowance can an original signature. The application does not have a tax allowance for each child. be doubled. Single parents can take advantage of to be submitted immediately after the child’s birth. entitlement starts with the month in Parental allowance plus, which refers to children Parental allowance plus in the same way (as well as However, retroactive payments can only be made for which the child is born. If you have - born after 1st July 2015, simplifies the rules for par- the partnership bonus, if applicable). the 3 months immediately preceding the beginning children, you can register these child ents who work part-time whilst receiving parental of the month in which the application for parental allowances with the local tax author efit allowance. Parental allowance plus compensates for allowance was received. ity. In most cases, this will translate into a lower tax burden. Child ben ffset against these tax allow- will be o ances. 134 10 Bringing your family on a research stay 135

Dual Career Service Dual Career Service Job offers In Duisburg:

Federal Employment Agency Duisburg The person responsible for appointments in the UDE would like to take account of dual career part- You will find job offers in the weekend editions of For visitors: Personnel and Organisation Department is your nerships when conducting appointment negotiations. newspapers, on online portals, via advertisements on Wintgensstr. 29–33 contact. The Dual Career Service is a contact point offering notice boards or at the employment offices of the Fed- 47058 Duisburg information for dual career couples because it is easy eral Employment Agency. EURES – The European 0800 4555500 List of job portals to lose one’s bearings on the open market for jobs. Job Mobility Portal – contains job offers and helpful www.uni-due.de/verwaltung/dualcareerservice We will help your partner to find employment and information for all who wish to take advantage of Office hours > Stellensuche provide information and advice on follow-up oppor- Freedom of Movement for workers. In Germany, Mon.–Wed.: 7.30am–12.30 pm tunities in his/her previous professional field. EURES advisers work at the employment agency Thurs.: 7.30am–6.00 pm Information and support: job centres. Fri.: 7.30am–12.30 pm Please be aware that the Dual Career Service cannot EURES – The European Job Mobility Portal: guarantee to find you a job. It will, however, point www.ec.europa.eu/eures In Essen: you in the right direction so that you can quickly find your own way around and settle down in the Federal Employment Agency Essen Federal Employment Agency: Ruhr Area. For visitors: www.arbeitsagentur.de Berliner Platz 10 45127 Essen Useful online job portals: 0800 4555500 www.euraxess.de > Jobs & Funding INSIDER INFO: Job offer at UDE s www.zeit.de/jobs Office hours www.academics.com 10.4 Employment opportunities for partners Dr Iris Schopphoven-Lammerin Mon., Tues.: 8.00 am–3.30 pm www.academics.de will be pleased to inform you andg Wed., Fri.: 8.00 am–12.30 pm your partner about job opportunit Thurs.: 8.00 am–6.00 pm at UDE: ies Labour legislation 0203 379-3655 [email protected] Before your husband or wife starts looking for work, to find out whether marital partners are allowed to www.uni-due.de/stellenmarkt you should familiarise yourself with the relevant pursue gainful employment and which documenta- labour legislation (see Chapter 5,4). Please consult tion you may have to submit to apply for permission. the German Consulate or local Immigration Office 136 11 Living in Germany 137

11.1 Doctors and health Emergency services Doctor 116117 If you need to consult a doctor in Germany you can Surgery opening hours vary considerably. Most sur- ask your colleagues for a recommendation. You will geries are closed at the weekend and on Wednesday Dentist in Duisburg Living in Germany 0203 9841478 find a complete list of doctors, arranged according to afternoon. field of specialisation, in your local classified directory, “Gelbe Seiten” (Yellow Pages), in print or online. Dentist in Essen It is often a good idea to go to a general practitioner, Emergency Services – doctors 0201 9464376 often known as a “Hausarzt”, first of all. This doctor will then refer you to a consultant, if necessary. You If you urgently need a doctor outside normal surgery Poisoning hotline should always ring the doctor’s surgery in advance hours, you will have to turn to the “ärztlicher Not- 0228 19240 to make an appointment. In case of an accident or dienst” or “ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst” (emergency emergency you will be given an appointment on the services). You can also ring a doctor: the answer- Pharmacy www.aponet.de > Apotheke finden > Notdienst same day. Otherwise, you will probably have to wait phone will usually tell you which doctor is currently a couple of days or even weeks for an appointment, on stand-by duty. > enter postal code or city especially with a dentist or consultant.

Local hospitals do not usually run surgeries for Emergency Services – pharmacies outpatients. If you are ill, your first port of call is a general practitioner. Only go to hospital if there is If you need medicines at night or at the weekend you an emergency or you need treatment following an should enquire about the “Apotheken-Notdienst” accident. You will need to present your health insur- (emergency pharmacy service). You can discover ance card or European health insurance card, EHIC, which pharmacy is open all night on which specific to receive treatment. If you have private insurance day in the local daily newspaper, online or on lists cover, you will have to pay for your treatment and any posted visibly at every pharmacy. medication and will be reimbursed later. 138 11 Living in Germany 139

Hospitals and clinics in Duisburg Costs of medical treatment 11.2 Emergency telephone numbers www.kliniken.de/krankenhaus/deutschland/ ort/duisburg Statutory health insurance Private health insurance

Hospitals and clinics in Essen If you are not a private patient, your doctor will in- If you have a contract with a private health insurance Important emergency telephone numbers voice your statutory health insurance provider di- provider, you will usually have to pay the costs for www.kliniken.de/krankenhaus/deutschland/ rectly. All you need to do is to present your health treatment and medicines yourself and then submit Police 110 ort/essen insurance card at the surgery. However, for some the invoices to the insurance provider for reimburse- treatment and services, such as certain dental fillings, ment. Take careful note of the conditions of your Fire 112 dentures, spectacles, contact lenses and particular health insurance which stipulate whether the pro- medicines, you have to pay an additional fee even if vider will reimburse your costs and at what level. See Emergency / ambulance 112 you are not a private patient. The doctor is obliged to Chapter 8 for additional information. inform you about the costs (see Chapter 8). Poisoning 0228/1 92 40 Searching for doctors:

Pastoral counselling 0800/1 110 -111 (oder -222) www.gelbeseiten.de (in German only)

Important information in emergency situations:

In an emergency, please be prepared to answer the following questions:

»» Who are you? EMERGENCY NUMBER »» Where has the emergency occurred (address, floor, ...)? »» What has happened? In life-threatening situations: »» How many people are involved? 112 »» What are the injuries / illness / symptoms? Telephone: »» Wait for answers! 140 11 Living in Germany 141

11.3 Banks and “Sparkassen” 11.4 Public libraries

If you are staying in Germany for an extended period, Apart from cash, most shops, restaurants and firms Most larger towns in Germany have a “Stadtbiblio- Most libraries lend films, CDs, DVDs and games are receiving a regular salary or fellowship and have accept debit and, in some cases, credit cards. In Ger- thek” or “Stadtbücherei”, i.e. public libraries which as well as books and magazines. In order to use the to pay rent, it is a good idea to open a current account many, smaller sums, in cafés for example, are usually are usually operated by the municipal or local au- library and borrow books and other media you will at a bank. You can do so at the branch of any bank or paid in cash. thorities. They serve a general educational purpose, need a library card. You can register at the library by “Sparkasse”. You will need to present your passport provide information and are a cultural facility for presenting your passport and proof that you are reg- or identity card and confirmation from the “Ein- local residents. Apart from specialist and non-fiction istered in the locality. Libraries often charge a modest wohnermeldeamt” (Residents’ Registration Office Transfers within the EU works they usually have a comprehensive collection fee for membership. or Immigration Office) that you are registered. Some of light reading as well as books for children and banks will also require you to present a valid resi- On 1 February 2014, a unified procedure for cash- young people. They often also stock light reading in dence permit or proof that you have a regular income. less payments (transfers, direct debit) called SEPA foreign languages. (Single Euro Payments Area) was launched across Stadtbibliothek Duisburg There are hardly any differences between the banks Europe. SEPA is used for euro payments in the 27 in respect of the services they offer, but there are dif- EU States, Great Britain, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Steinsche Gasse 26 ferences in the charges you have to pay, so you should Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland. 47051 Duisburg be sure to check in advance. You will be issued with When making cross-border payments between the www.duisburg.de/stadtbib (in German only) a debit card called a “Euro-Cheque-Karte” (EC card) 34 SEPA countries, you currently have to state the for your current account which will allow you to draw BIC (Business Identifier Code) as well the IBAN Stadtbibliothek Essen cash from a cashpoint (ATM). This service is free if (International Bank Account Number). Fines University Library Hollestr. 3 (Gildehof) you use cashpoints belonging to your own bank but You can borrow books, If you exceed the lending 45127 Essen often incurs charges if the cashpoints are maintained academic articles and jour by other banks. Most banks are open from Monday period even by one day you - www.stadtbibliothek-essen.de (in German only) will have to pay a fine per item. nals free of charge from the Central hotline to block credit cards to Friday between 8.30 am and 4.00 pm. University Library. Extend the lending period in In addition to the central libraries in the city 116116 Money transfers abroad can be expensive. You should good time to avoid incurring centres, there are also branch libraries in various enquire at your own bank at home in advance about charges. parts of Duisburg and Essen. the relevant conditions and possibly choose a Ger- man bank that cooperates with your bank at home. 142 11 Living in Germany 143

Deutsche Bahn

“Deutsche Bahn” (German Rail) connects all the Please note: on local and “S-Bahn” trains you have larger and many of the smaller towns locally, region- to buy your ticket before you enter the train. There ally and long distance. are ticket inspections on trains and buses, and travelling without a valid ticket (“Schwarzfahren” - fare Buy your ticket before you get on the train. You can dodging) might prove costly. If you are embarking purchase tickets online, or there are ticket machines on a longer journey, particularly at the weekend, or ticket officesat the station. If you are in a hurry you should reserve a seat. On some routes, the trains you can buy your ticket from the ticket collector on get very full. long-distance trains. But this is more expensive.

Bicycle hire in the Ruhr Area 11.5 Public transport DB Navigator App www.metropolradruhr.de/en The DB Navigator App tells you www.revierrad.de > English There are about all the connections o INSIDER INFO: ffers and deals. ffered Germany has a good public transport system. You can easily get almost everywhere you want to go by train by Deutsche Bahn. You can book Long-distance coaches or bus, tram or underground. “Deutsche Bahn” has a lot of special o your ticket using the app and receive additional concessions for groups and advance bookings. If you updates on any delays. www.fernbusse.de (in Germany only) often travel by fast train, it may be worth purchasing a “Bahncard” www.bahn.com/en Long-distance coach Cycling (railcard). With the “BahnCard 50” and the “BahnCard 25” you can > Booking Information save 50% and 25% respectively on the standard price of any ticket > App DB Navigator Long-distance coaches are more reasonable than In many towns there is a good network of cycle paths. for a whole year. Depending on the level of discount, a railcard costs rail travel. A long-distance coach may take longer If you like cycling this can be a practical alternative between 25 euros and 255 euros. than a train, but the tickets are relatively cheap by to public transport or driving. comparison. 144 11 Living in Germany 145

In Duisburg and Essen: buses, trams Local transport system Taxis Taxi Duisburg and underground There is plenty of public transport in Germany – Taxis are relatively expensive in Germany and many 0203 333 333 Duisburg und Essen have a very good public trans- buses, trams and underground. During the day it people only use them in exceptional circumstances 0203 333 030 port system with buses, trams and underground. is often quicker and easier to travel by bus or tram – at night, for example, or when they have a lot of www.taxi-duisburg.net You can get information on timetables and prices than by car, particularly in the larger towns. You can luggage. Prices are regulated. You pay a fixed basic from the regional transport provider, “Verkehrsver- usually buy tickets at ticket machines on the platform charge plus a specified sum per kilometre. Taxi Essen bund Rhein-Ruhr” (VRR). The providers of local or inside the trams and underground trains; in buses Ruhrbahn transport in Essen und Duisburg, the drivers often sell tickets, too. However, what is All taxis are fitted with a taximeter which runs during 0201 19410 transportation company for Essen and Mülheim ( ) true for one town is not necessarily true for another the entire journey and shows the total price when 0201 86655 and DVG (Duisburger Verkehrsgesellschaft AG) so you should enquire locally. you reach your destination. It is usual to round up www.taxiessen.de have service centres at the main stations in Essen the sum as a tip. and Duisburg. “Mehrfahrtenkarten” (multi-trip tickets) are cheaper “Mitfahrzentrale” (Carpooling) than individual tickets and can usually be purchased www.blablacar.de (in Germany only) For further information visit: at ticket machines. If you are staying in one place for www.mifaz.de (in Germany only) www.ruhrbahn.de/essen.html a longer period and intend using public transport www.dvg-duisburg.de regularly, it may well be worth buying a weekly or “Mitfahrzentrale” (Carpooling) Air travel www.vrr.de monthly season ticket. They are available at the local International airports transport company’s ticket offices which are usually One alternative to public transport, especially for Some airlines offer special rates on certain routes. You Amsterdam: Here you will also be able to find out about the situated near the railway station. long journeys, is the “Mitfahrzentrale” (car-sharing may well be able to fly to other European countries www.schiphol.nl/index_en various tickets. agency). Drivers who are going on long journeys very reasonably, and even within Germany air travel Düsseldorf: often register at a car sharing agency and offer to may be cheaper than rail travel. However, on domes- www.dus.com/en Duisburg and Essen are in price Category A. If you take passengers. The offers are sorted according to tic routes you may not save much time if you add the Cologne Bonn: are intending to use the bus or tram regularly it is destination and date and you can find out about time spent getting to the airport and waiting for the www.cologne-bonn-airport.com/en/index.html worth purchasing a monthly season ticket (Ticket them online or by telephone. You pay a charge based flight. Most large towns have good connections to the Frankfurt: 1000 or 2000). For longer journeys and excursions on distance to the driver. Please note that you use nearest airports by public transport. www.frankfurt-airport.com/en.html there is a wide selection of tickets with special car-sharing agencies at your own risk. They do not Forgotten your ticket? Dortmund: deals for groups and weekend trips. You can easily usually accept liability for the quality or reliability of do all the travelling you want by public transport www.dortmund-airport.com If you forget your ticket you will get an invoice from the ticket the car-share or for any damage incurred. during your stay or, alternatively, use a bicycle. inspector which you have to pay within a fortnight. You can significantly reduce the sum on the invoice by subsequently presenting your own valid ticket, e.g. weekly or monthly season ticket, to Deutsche Bahn. 146 11 Living in Germany 147

Automobile associations driving licence or whether you have a foreign number If you bring your own vehicle with you, you Straßenverkehrsamt Duisburg: plate and car papers or even about German licensing should not forget the following documents: The “Allgemeine Deutsche Automobil-Club” (ADAC) laws, vehicle tax and third-party liability insurance. Ludwig-Krohne-Str. 6 is the largest automobile association in Germany. 47058 Duisburg If you are planning to stay for longer, however, you »» international driving licence or a licence issued You can also join the “Auto Club Europa” (ACE) or should consult the “Straßenverkehrsamt” (road traffic abroad; depending on country, it should include [email protected] the “Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD)”. They agency) on the relevant formalities. a German translation (after 6 months at the lat- Opening hours: all provide services in case of breakdown. You can est you will have to apply for a German driving call them for help if you get stuck on the road Visit the EURAXESS Germany website for more in- licence) Licensing: somewhere. This service is usually free of charge if Mon.−Thurs.: 7.30 am−4.00 pm formation on taxation and insurance, the validity of »» green insurance card (confirming German in- (applications until 1.00 pm only) you are a member. Non-members have to pay. your driving licence and how you can get a German surance cover) Fri.: 7.30 am−1.00 pm driving licence. »» confirmation from your third-party insurance Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC): provider at home that you have not had any acci- Driving licence authority: 222222 dents (this should entitle you to a rebate on your Mon., Wed.−Fri.: 8.00 am−1.00 pm Auto Club Europa (ACE): German third-party insurance policy) Thurs.: 2.00 pm−3.30 pm 0711 530 34 35 36 https://www.duisburg.de/vv/produkte/ AvD emergency: pro_du/dez_ii/32/oeffnungszeiten_ 0800 9909909 trassenverkehrsamt.php Autoversicherer Zentralruf (insurance provider index): 0800 2502600 Straßenverkehrsamt Essen: Kaiser-Otto-Platz 1–5 45276 Essen 11.6 Your own vehicle INSIDER INFO: Driving 0201 883-3999 licence and vehicle [email protected] registration Opening hours: Having your own car allows you freedom and flexi- Some researchers bring a car with them from home Mon.−Wed.: 8.00 am−3.00 pm bility despite the sometimes heavy traffic on motor- or buy one in Germany. If you are only staying up The agency responsible for Thurs.: 8.00 am-6.00 pm ways, especially during rush hour, at the weekends to 6 months this is relatively uncomplicated. There everything to do with driving Fri.: 8.00 am-12.00 noon and holidays. should be no problem about the validity of your licences and vehicle registration is the “Straßenverkersamt”. https://service.essen.de/detail/-/vr-bis-detail/ einrichtung/10680/show 148 11 Living in Germany 149

11.7 Internet, telecommunications, TV Internet Finding telephone numbers Prepaid phone cards with flat rate option In order to access the internet at home you can get a Everyone who is registered in the phone book can DSL connection and tariff from your landline provid- also be found online – or you can ring Directory Many supermarkets in Germany sell pre-paid er. You can often buy a package from your provider Enquiries (this service incurs charges and can be phone cards which you can combine with their TV and radio: licensing fees Telephone covering landline, internet and additional services. If quite expensive): own cheap flat rates. Most of the tariffs available you want to use wifi at home for laptops, mobiles and at supermarkets can be purchased for short visits Just as in other European countries, the state charges There are numerous providers operating the tele- tablets you should ask your internet provider about For telephone numbers in Germany: 11880 lasting a month. a fee for the use of radios and televisions which fi- phone service in Germany. Most firms offer different a wireless router. nances the public broadcasting services. tariffs and services, for example various telephone, For telephone numbers abroad: 11890 Cheaper telephone and internet access mobile and internet packages. It is worth comparing. If you decide not to go for a landline and DSL connec- This fee is collected by an agency belonging to the You can register or cancel a landline in the providers’ tion, you can also access the internet using a wireless In the classified directory, the so-called Yellow Pag- Using the following links you can compare the broadcasters ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio. Cur- outlets which can be found in nearly every town. adapter, known in Germany as a “Surfstick”. They can es, you can find the telephone numbers of doctors, current charges levied by the various providers. rently, the monthly fee is 17.50 euros per household be purchased in computer shops and supermarkets. pharmacies, shops, restaurants, craftsmen and much, As the charges are always changing it is worth taking a look every so often. Paying licensing fees irrespective of the number of people and pieces of much more. www.billiger-telefonieren.de (in German only) equipment in the household. You can find more in- Mobile phone www.billiger-surfen.de (in German only) In the university guest houses, licensing fees are formation online by visiting the fee collection service already included in the rent. If you rent privately of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio. There are various mobile phone providers with differ- you will need to register online with the fee col- ent tariffs and packages, including the most popular Searching for telephone numbers lection service of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio. prepaid and flat rate tariffs. Prepaid tariffs allow you online www.rundfunkbeitrag.de (in German only) to use a mobile and top up your credit as required without having to sign a contract. A flat rate means www.dastelefonbuch.de (in German only) Skype, WhatsApp, Viper you pay a certain sum every month which effectively www.teleauskunft.de (in Germany only) allows you to use all the services (call, mobile inter- www.gelbeseiten.de (in German only) Mobile apps like Skype, Viper net, messaging) the provider offers as often as you and WhatsApp allow you to like. Be sure to read the small print carefully before eduroam send messages and telephone signing a contract. abroad on the internet free of eduroam (education roaming) is a European initiative to charge. Why not try the app facilitate wirelessff can internet use it to access access at theuniversities. internet not Students only at and “my UDE”? university sta their own universities but at other universities/organisations (during conferences, for example) that participate in the system as well. Visit www.eduroam.org>Where can I eduroam for more information. 150 11 Living in Germany 151

There is no state church in Germany. The state and the churches or religious communities are not al- 11.9 Public holidays lowed to enter into institutional association; they are, however, allowed to cooperate provided that the principles of neutrality and non-discrimination are upheld. This means that churches are expected The following public holidays are observed in the whole of Germany: to make statements on social issues and be involved New Year’s Day...... 1 January in bodies and commissions like ethics councils. The Good Friday ...... Friday before Easter state and the churches have also come to agreements Easter Sunday/Easter Monday...... end March/beginning April on religious instruction in state schools and the col- International Labour Day...... 1 May lection of church tax by state financial authorities Ascension Day ...... Thursday, 10 days before Whit Sunday (see Chapter 9.5). Whit Sunday/Whit Monday ...... June German Unification Day ...... 3 October Today, some 30 percent of the population in Germany Christmas Eve ...... 24 December (afternoon) is Roman Catholic, another 35 percent is Protestant Christmas Day/Boxing Day ...... 25/26 December and roughly three percent is Muslim. Just less than 2 New Year’s Eve ...... 31 December (afternoon) percent of the population belongs to other religious communities and roughly 30 percent is not affiliated You will find an overview of the to any religious group. Altogether, there are more Additional public holidays in NRW: current public holiday dates and than 160 different religious communities in Ger- Corpus Christi ...... 2nd Thursday after Whitsun (June) school holiday dates, organised many, which contribute to the religious diversity of All Hallows’ Day ...... 1 November according to Federal State, on the Information on churches and religion 11.8 Religion the country. following websites (in German only): in Germany Carnival www.feiertage.net www.bmi.bund.de > Themen www.ferienkalender.com > Heimat und Integration Article 4 of the German “Grundgesetz” (Basic Law) Particularly in the Rheinland and in Mainz, February and March are known as the “fifth season”. This is when www.schulferien-und-feiertage.de > Staat und Religion guarantees the freedom of belief: every person is “Karneval” or “Fastnacht” is celebrated. In the strongholds of carnival most employers give their staff a couple free to choose and practise his or her own religion. of extra days’ holiday. “Weiberfastnacht” (Women’s Carnival Day) warrants an afternoon and “Rosenmontag” Equally, every person has the freedom not to practise (Carnival Monday) an entire day. a religion, to leave a religious community or to join another religious community. 152 11 Living in Germany 153

11.10 Good to know – A to Z of useful information

Addressing people: “Du” and “Sie” Cinema

The polite form “Sie” plus surname is the way you In Germany, foreign films and television series are address people you do not know in Germany – offi- often dubbed. If there is no reference to the language cially all those over the age of 15. Many Germans who in the programme you can assume that the film will work together in the same office every day still use be in German. However, quite a few of the smaller this form. In order to move on to the more personal independent cinemas show films in the original lan- “Du”, you usually wait for a suitable occasion. “Du” is guage (OV) or in the original language with subtitles “offered” by one person to another. Traditionally, the (OmU). older or more senior person makes the offer. How- ever, younger people (up to about the age of 30) are less formal. They often use “Du” plus first name from Electricity For additional information and links the very first meeting. If you are unsure, it is probably on life and culture in Germany visit best to wait until the person you are talking to has German electrical power points use 220 V and 50 the EURAXESS Germany website: addressed you and respond accordingly. Hz alternating current. Euronorm plugs fit all power points. Depending on where you come from you may Flea markets No smoking www.euraxess.de have to use an adapter or transformer. A “Flohmarkt” or “Trödelmarkt” is a market selling In Germany, smoking is prohibited in all public second-hand goods and bric-a-brac. The sellers are buildings under the authority of the state, such as often private individuals and the markets are usually stations, airports and public transport, as well as held on Saturdays or Sundays. cultural, leisure and sports facilities. 154 11 Living in Germany 155

Value Added Tax Strikes Weather Understanding time

Purchase tax, often referred to as “Mehrwertsteuer” Trades Unions are voluntary organisations which The weather is often changeable. You have to be pre- Every year, the clocks are put forward for summer (value added tax), has to be paid to the financial represent the interests of workers vis-à-vis employ- pared for cold spells and rain even in summer. You time and back for winter time. On the last Sunday authorities on the sale of goods and services. In Ger- ers. If unions and employers are unable to come to are, therefore, recommended to bring at least a few in March, the clocks go forward by one hour and many, the rate is 19 percent. There is a reduced rate an agreement, this may lead to strikes which can warm clothes with you from home. on the last Sunday in October they go back by one of 7 percent on food, magazines and books as well as affect services provided by companies and public hour. A special feature of German universities is the artistic services. Value added tax (MWSt.) is included authorities. so-called “academic quarter”: lectures often begin a in all stated prices and invoices. Waste separation / recycling quarter of an hour later than the time stated on the timetable. Thus, a lecture announced for 8.00 am c.t. Tipping Environmental consciousness in Germany is com- (cum tempore – with time) actually only begins at Shopping paratively strong, an attitude that is reflected in the 8.15 am. If a lecture is scheduled to begin at 8.00 am It is usual to give a tip in restaurants and cafés and for separation and recycling of waste. In most towns you on the dot, it will be announced as 8.00 am s.t. (sine Generally, shops are open in Germany from Mon- certain other services in recognition of good service. have individual, colour-coded dustbins or skips for tempore – without time). day to Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm. Supermarkets The standard sum is about 10 percent; usually you non-recyclables (grey), paper (blue), plastics/com- and large shopping centres sometimes have longer round up the amount to be paid. If you pay in cash posites (yellow) and compost/garden waste (green opening hours. Smaller shops, on the other hand, and do not have the right amount plus tip it is quite or brown). In addition, there are also public bottle often shut during the week between 6 pm and 7 pm normal to ask the waiter or taxi driver to round the banks for glass and collection points for batteries and around lunchtime on Saturdays. All shops close sum up to the amount you wish to pay. You can either and electrical waste. Many empty bottles and cans are on Sundays and public holidays, with the exception state the amount or say how much change you want refundable: if you take them back to the supermarket, of bakeries which often open in the mornings on back. When you go out to restaurants or cafés with you will be given a refund. Non-refundable bottles, those days. You can usually find a modest selection friends or acquaintances it is quite usual in Germany like wine bottles, belong in the bottle bank. of groceries and other articles at petrol stations which to ask for separate bills and pay separately. sometimes stay open 24/7. 156 12 Welcome to Duisburg-Essen 157

12.1 Check list

Before you leave Please bear in mind that you will have to deal with some organisational matters before you leave the country. It is usually advisable to start planning your move about three months in advance. The following timetable will help you: Germany … Three months to go:

»» Cancel your tenancy agreement in good time. »» Check with the personnel department/your fel- »» Cancel your contracts with local utilities providers lowship provider well in advance whether you (electricity, gas, water). will receive your final salary/fellowship payment »» Discuss with your landlord whether you have to before you leave the country. The move and the do any decorating before leaving your accom- final payment often cross. modation. »» Cancel your public transport season ticket. EURAXESS Service Centres »» It may be advisable to consult a tax accountant »» Cancel any subscriptions to newspapers or jour- about completing your tax declaration. nals. https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/ > Information & Assistance > Find personalised assistance »» If you have been earning a salary from the univer- »» Cancel your membership in any societies, asso- sity and have paid social security contributions, ciations, clubs etc. arrange an appointment with an adviser at the »» If you are moving to another European coun- “Rentenversicherungsanstalt” (pension scheme) try we recommend you to contact one of the to discuss your pension entitlements. Also check EURAXESS Service Centres located there – they your pension entitlements with the “Versorgung- will be able to help you organise your research stay sanstalt des Bundes und der Länder (VBL)“. in your new target country. 158 12 Welcome to Duisburg-Essen 159

Forwarding service One month to go: Moving day:

Please enquire at the Post Office about the costs of »» Find out in advance about the procedure for can- »» If required, complete a “Nachsendeantrag” (for- »» Note down the meter readings for electricity, gas using the forwarding service. celling your registration at the “Einwohnermelde- warding request) at the post office so that your and water in the handover report and get your https://shop.deutschepost.de/ amt” (Residents’ Registration Office). post can be forwarded to you. landlord to sign it. nachsendeservice-beauftragen (in »» If you have children, inform the school or kinder- »» If you have paid for a television/radio licence for »» Check your accommodation and the staircase for German only) garten that you are leaving. ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio, inform the fee damage caused by the move. »» Inform your insurance companies that you are collecting agency that you are leaving. »» Depending on what you have arranged with your Sending parcels by Deutsche Post leaving. »» Take borrowed books and journals back to the landlord, clean your accommodation after you »» If you want to sell your car in Germany or take university library or departmental libraries. have moved out. Deutsche Post offers an international service to it to your own country, you must inform the »» If you want to send luggage home by freight ser- »» Hand over the accommodation empty and return send parcels and packages weighing up to 31.5 kg. “Kraftfahrzeugzulassungsstelle” (vehicle licens- vice, arrange an appointment with the freight the keys to the landlord/property manager. For information on the tariffs visit ing authority) and the company providing your carrier to pick up the parcels. https://portoberater.deutschepost.de/#/home third-party liability insurance. Please take note »» Join the alumni network so that you can (in German only) of the formalities necessary to export a vehicle keep in touch with the university in future: purchased in Germany (export declaration). www.uni-due.de/de/alumni Credit on your CashCard and deposit »» Inform your telephone provider (landline, mobile, »» Cancel your bank account. on your WhiteCard broadband). »» Arrange for the rent deposit to be reimbursed You can have your deposit and any remaining including the interest and any compound interest credit refunded if you return your cards to the accrued during the rental period. cash desk at the Mensa and cafeterias.

TIPP: Cancelling your bank account As you will probably need to use your bank account fter you have left the country, it may be recom- even a fter the move. mendable not to cancel it until a 160 Welcome to Duisburg-Essen 161

E L R Index Employment contract 76 ff, 101-115, 120 Language courses 28, 87 Refectory/canteen 23-25, 43-46 Engagement (Community outreach) 38 Letter of Invitation 22, 77, 83 Regional Authority for Salaries and Pensions NRW Entry 17, 78, 81-90 Library 23 f, 30-35, 49, 158 (LBV) 23, 85, 101, 130 A Equal Opportunities 40, 56 Library card 23 f, 33, 35, 76, 141 Registration certificate Abbreviations 50-57, 98-99 Equal Opportunity Office 40, 56 Local Immigration Office 75, 76, 134 Residence permit 17, 75-77, 81-91, 107, 131 f Accident insurance 107-115 European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) 116, Local transport 144 Residence title 82-90 Accidents 107-115, 137, 147 117, 137 Residents’ Registration Office 75 ff, 120 f, 140, Alumni 158, 41 M 158 Apartment/flat 84, 93-98 F Municipal Library 141 Ruhr Area 15, 19, 21, 38, 59-68, 142 Art 44, 60 ff Family 76 ff, 82-89, 91, 108 Museum 59, 61-71 Family-friendly UDE see Family S B Flat/apartment see Apartment N Settlement permit 87, 89 Banks 140 Foundations 19, 42, 55, 69, 73, 83 Nursing care insurance 112 Social security 78, 101, 107-114 Freedom of movement permit 76, 85, 89, 91, 135 C Free movement of workers 89 O T Cafeterias 25, 43-46 Occupational pension scheme 110 Tax class 120, 121 Canteen/refectory 23-25, 43-46 G Tax (payer) Identification Number 85 Child care 74, 125-129 German courses see Language Courses P Tenancy agreement 157 Child care / schools 75 f, 125-129, 158 Guest houses 148 Parental allowance 126, 132, 133 Travel preparations 75 Child care subsidy 74, 125-129 Pension Institution of the Federal Republic Computer 29-32, 102, 149 H and the Länder (VBL) 110, 113, 157 U Computer centre 29-32, 102, 149 Health insurance 17, 75, 81 ff, 103 f Pension scheme 107-110, 115-157 Unemployment benefit 110, 113 Culture 47, 59, 60-70 Health insurance subsidy for public servants 17, Pharmacy 137 University Alliance Ruhr 19 75, 81 ff, 103 f Police clearance certificate (PCC) 76, 85 University Library 31, 32, 34, 158 D Post 27, 78, 85, 120, 158 University of Duisburg-Essen 5, 6, 8, 9 Diversity 19, 40, 55, 150 I Private health insurance 108, 138 University sports 36 Doctors 108 ff, 137-139, 149 Industrial Heritage Trail 61, 62 Probationary certificate 88 In-house professional development 37, 119 Professional development/in-service training 37, V In-service training/professional development 37, 119 Visa 75, 77, 81-86 119 Public holidays 26, 151, 154 Internet access 29, 30, 76, 149 Public servants 101, 112, 113 162

Imprint

As of September 2020. All the information contained in this Guide has been carefully researched and checked. Errors are, however, never completely avoidable. Mistakes and printing errors may occur. Passages of text from the online portal EURAXESS Deutschland are reprinted here in a partially revised version by kind permission of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The publisher is solely responsible for the contents.

Translation: Design: Dr Lynda Lich-Knight, ResearchComm Ltd Bosse und Meinhard Wissen und Kommunikation

Concept, Text and Editing: University of Duisburg-Essen (International Office, Science Support Centre): Barbara Bigge, Petra Günther, Stephanie Kaplinowski, Zarlasht Mohmand, Simone Müller, Lisa Üffing, Catharina Yacoub Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Welcome Centre): Pamela Domke, Anna Gopon, Stephanie Kaplinowski TU Dortmund University (International Office): Miriam Gothe

Photo credits: Titel: UDE (7x); istockphoto.com, picasa; istockphoto, Marc Bowden; istockphoto.com, nd3000, fotolia.de, imageid. Klaus Lemke, Duisburg Marketing GmbH; S. 4: UDE; S. 5: UDE; S. 6: UDE/wikicommons/AlterVista; S. 7: R. Levc; S. 8: Peter Wieler, EMG-Essen Marketing GmbH; S. 9: Ralf Schultheiss; S. 11: UDE; S. 12: Simone Müller; S. 13: Simone Müller; S. 14: UDE; S. 15: UDE; S. 16: Björn Westermann; S. 17: UDE; S. 18: UDE; S. 19: UDE; S. 20: UDE; S. 21: Peter Prengel; S. 24: AAA; S. 25: UDE, Studentenwerk Essen-Duisburg; S. 26: UDE; S. 27: Klaus Lemke; S. 31: Simone Badtke; S. 32: UDE; S. 33: UDE; S. 34: Simone Badtke; S. 35: UDE; S. 36: UDE; S. 38: UDE; S. 39: UDE; S. 41: UDE; S. 42: UDE; S. 43: Studentenwerk Essen-Duisburg; S. 44: Studentenwerk Essen-Duisburg; S. 45: Studen- tenwerk Essen-Duisburg; S. 46 Simone Müller; S. 48 Simone Müller; S. 49 UDE; S. 50 UDE; S. 51 UDE; S. 52 UDE; S. 53 UDE; S. 55 UDE; S. 56 UDE; S. 57: UDE; S. 58: UDE; S. 60: Klaus Lemke; S. 61: Ruhr Tourismus, Jochen Schlutius; S. 63: fotolia.de, vega12; S. 64: fotolia.de, Jürgen Fälchle, Klaus Lemke; S. 65: Uwe Köppen; S. 67: fotolia.de, von Allenstein, Simone Sass; S. 68: Peter Wieler, EMG-Essen Marketing GmbH; S. 69: Peter Wieler, EMG-Essen Marketing GmbH; S. 70: Peter Wiel- er, EMG-Essen Marketing GmbH; S. 71: Peter Wieler, EMG-Essen Marketing GmbH; S. 72: Peter Wieler, EMG-Essen Marketing GmbH; S. 73: fotolia/seen0001/ Peter Wieler, EMG-Essen Marketing GmbH; S. 74: fotolia.de, Carmen Steiner; S. 76: UDE; S. 77: fotolia.de, James Thew; S. 80: fotolia.de; S. 82: istockphoto.com, Joshua Hodge; S. 86: istockphoto.com, Vikram Raghuvanshi; S. 87: istockphoto.com, Nikada; S. 88: istockphoto.com, Don Bayley; S. 90: UDE; S. 91 UDE; S. 92: fotolia.de, Gina Sanders; S. 93: UDE; S. 94: istockphoto.com, PhotoAlto/ Klaus Lemke; S. 95: fotolia; fotodesign-jegg.de S. 96 UDE; S. 97: UDE; S. 100: Frank Preuss; S. 102: fotolia.de, shock; S. 105: fotolia.de, Nikola Hristovski; S. 106: fotolia.de, shock; S. 107: istockphoto.com, Patrick Heagney; S. 109: fotolia.de, Michael Kempf; S. 111: fotolia.de, Franz Pflügl; S. 113: fotolia.de, Thaut Images; S. 114: istockphoto.com, zhang bo; S. 116: fotolia.de, Fotofreundin; S. 117: fotolia.de, BK; S. 118: istockphoto.com, Christopher Futcher; S. 119: UDE; S. 120 istockphoto.com, londoneye; S. 123: Peter Wieler, EMG-Essen Marketing GmbH/ Simone Müller; S. 124: fotolia.de, Karel Miragaya; S. 129: fotolia.de, Monkey Business; S. 130: istockphoto.com; S. 131: istockphoto.com, Mila Semenova; S. 133: Simone Müller; S. 134: istockphoto.com, Squaredpixels; S. 136: fotolia.de, 3d-Master; S. 138: fotolia.de, sergio castelli/ istockpoto.com; S. 139: fotolia.de, philipus; S. 140: istockphoto.com, Juanmonino; S. 141: fotolia.de, Jason Stitt; S. 142: istockphoto.com, olaser/ UDE; S. 143: fotolia.d, Victor Cap; S. 145: istockphoto.com, olaser; S. 146: istockphoto.com, Prill; S. 148: istockphoto.com, F.&T. Werner; S. 150: istockphoto.com, James Pauls; S. 151: fotolia.de, BillionPhotos; S. 152: fotolia.de, Kzenon; S. 153: istockphoto.com; S. 154: UDE; S. 155 fotolia.de, dietwalther; S. 156: fotolia.de, Matthias Geipel; S. 157: fotolia.de, Franz Pflügl; S. 159: fotolia.de, Bobo; S. 161: Simone Müller Guide for International Researchers

Whether you are an international scientist or scholar, visiting researcher or university teacher taking up a new position at the University of Duisburg-Essen, this Guide is designed to help you find your feet. No matter how long you are intending to stay or whether you will be receiving a salary or a fellowship, the Guide will ensure that you get off to a good start in Duisburg and in Essen.

University of Duisburg-Essen International Office

Campus Duisburg Geibelstraße 41, SG-Buildung 47057 Duisburg [email protected] Guide for International Researchers Guide for Campus Essen Universitätsstr. 15, Building V15 45117 Essen [email protected] www.uni-due.de/welcome-service/en