Traineeship with Erasmus+ in Bonn

• Health insurance: Trainees and interns require health insurance in Germany. They should clarify all the necessary details with their health insurer before they arrive in the country. Most EU nationals hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The trainees and interns themselves will need to clarify exactly what this covers in advance. For paid internships, German health insurance must be taken out. Incoming interns can obtain information directly from the German statutory health insurance companies.

• Private liability insurance: We recommend that trainees and interns take out private liability insurance in order to cover themselves against potential injury and property damage.

• Accident insurance: In Germany, employees — and thus trainees and interns as well — are automatically insured against accidents through their employer. This insurance only covers accidents sustained during working hours and while traveling directly to or from work. All trainees and interns at the University of Bonn will be insured against accidents sustained at the university or while traveling directly there or back home unless they are already covered by a different insurance policy under an existing employment relationship (e.g. a secondment). 

• DAAD insurance package: international students will be able to make use of the DAAD’s collective insurance policy in certain circumstances (e.g. for a compulsory traineeship or internship).

• Citizens of EU/EFTA countries: EU nationals enjoy unrestricted access to the German job market and will not need a visa or residence permit to enter the country or take up employment there. The same applies if they are from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland (EFTA countries).

• Information on the REST directive: If non-EU citizens have a valid residence permit for study purposes in another EU country, the International Office may be able to register them with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in accordance with the REST Directive if they will be enrolled at the University of Bonn. The trainees should contact the International Office at an early stage to check this option.

• Visa exemptions: Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, the UK and the US can also enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit that will allow them to work in Germany before taking up any employment there. Only if they are a citizen of one of these countries will they be allowed to contact the Immigration Office directly, even if they are already in Germany. 

Citizens of all other non-EU countries will need to apply for a visa from the relevant German Embassy or Consulate before they arrive and for a residence permit at the Foreigners' Office in Bonn after entering the country.

Trainees can apply for a room at the Studierendenwerk Bonn if they present proof of enrollment at the University of Bonn or their home university.

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