British Students do not require visas or residence permits for study or research visits exceeding 90 days within the 180 period – provided no economic activity is pursued. You can also be self funded and/or complete:

• scholarship-funded research
• studies or language course

EU/EEA Students do not need a Visa/Residence permit to study, work or reside in Germany.

If you are unsure if you are eligible to apply for a German Visa from the UK, you can use the German Schengen visa Eligibility checker.

Students from a non-visa waiver country will need to apply for a Schengen Visa for a duration of 90 days.

Overview of Visa Process

• Complete the online application form, print the form including the barcodes and sign it (separate application forms are required for each applicant; all children require separate forms).
• Compile your supporting documentation - please click on the categories below
• Book an appointment to apply for your visa.

Source: https://uk.diplo.de/uk-en/02/visa/what-documents-do-i-need-for-a-c-visa/2442164?openAccordionId=item-2448114-5-panel

Gather Your Documents

To apply for a Short Stay Schengen Visa, you will need to gather the following documents:

• Visa Application Form
• Valid Passport
• UK Residence Permit
• If you hold a UK Residence Card for EU/EEA family members – printout of EU Settlement Scheme
• A fully biometric passport photo
• Reserved Entry airline/ferry/train ticket
• Reserved Return airline/ferry/train ticket
• Travel Health Insurance
• Confirmed hotel booking/proof of accommodation
• Evidence of Sufficient funds
• Confirmation letter of employment/student status/unemployment/pension

For a full list of documents please visit the Diplo website on : What documents do I need for a C visa - Federal Foreign Office (diplo.de)

All students should check if their documents needs to be translated and legalised (Apostilled).

All documents that are not issued in German, English, Spanish or French require translation into German or English.

Further details regarding translating and legalising can be found here.

How to Apply

All Schengen Type-C visas must be applied for with a Visa Application Centre run by the external service provider TLScontact.

TLScontact operates from both Edinburgh, London and Manchester with three distinct jurisdictions and your place of residence determines which Visa Application Centre you will need to contact to apply for your visa. The Visa Application Centres in London and Manchester serve the Mission in London. The application centre in Edinburgh serves the Mission in Edinburgh. Please refer to our consular district map for details.

Processing times

Students should submit their visa application no later than 15 calendar days before their intended date of travel.

Type C visas involving an economic activity, may require approval by other German government agencies, such as the Federal Employment Agency (“Bundesagentur für Arbeit”) or the local immigration office (“Ausländerbehörde”). 

How to Apply

Schengen visas (type C) can only be applied for through the external service provider TLScontact.

Long Stay National Visa (D Visas) - Residence Permit (“Aufenthaltsgenehmigung”)

There are two options for British students for stays in German for longer stays for the purpose of studying, including exchange years.

1)      Obtain a Visa before travelling to Germany

• Long Stay National Visa (D Visas) prior to travelling to Germany.  Upon arrival students need to present the Long Stay National Visa (D Visas) at the local German foreigner’s office (“Ausländerbehörde”) to obtain a Residence Permit which in turn allows you to continue to study in Germany of up to 1 year.

2)      British nationals do not need a visa to enter Germany as they can enter using your 90 day visa free allowance but will have to apply for a Residence permit at the local German foreigner’s office (“Ausländerbehörde”) to stay over the 90-day limit.

The Residence permit lasts for a duration of at least 1 year and can be extended for a maximum of two years.

Non-EU/EEA students who already have a Visa or Residence permit visa (for study purposes) from another EU member state do not need to apply for a residence permit for Germany - proivded that the duration of thier stay does not exceed 360 days.

You will be asked to provide evidence of your mobility upon entry to Germany. Proof of mobility may include:

• Showing your BRP card/Residence Permit
• Acceptance/Admissions Letter from your Host University 

Source: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/visum-aufenthalt/arten/studieren

EU/EEA Students can reside, work and study without restriction in other EU countries. However, you will need to check if you need to complete any Post Arrival actions such as Registering your presence at the local immigration office.

If in doubt students can use the visa navigator via the German Diplo website.

Source: https://uk.diplo.de/uk-en/02/visa/long-stay-visas/2442162 

Gather Your Documents

For a Long Stay National Visa (National D) you will need to gather the following documents:

• Complete the online application form
• Printouts of the online application form including barcodes
• Valid passport signed by the holder
• Plus: 2 photocopies of the passport biodata page
• Current UK residence permit (BRP)/ visa (foreign residents only)
• 2 fully biometric passport photos, 35 x 45 mm
• Evidence of admission to university/exchange semester/degree course/PhD program
• Undergraduate and graduate students taking a full degree course at a German university: 2 copies of the German University admission letter (“Zulassungsbescheid”)
• Undergraduates enrolled at a UK university undertaking an exchange semester/ semester or year abroad in Germany: 2 copies of the German university admission letter (“Zulassungsbescheid”) or corresponding confirmation. Letter or confirmation must state name of student, course title and duration of study at German university.
  Plus Study abroad confirmation by UK University (2 copies), must state name of student, course title, complete duration of study at UK University plus place and dates of study abroad.
• Evidence of sufficient funds minimum EUR 861 for each month of stay, (2022 requirement, subject to change). Options below may be combined, provided that the total requirement is being met. Please note that NO alternative evidence of funds is acceptable.
  
  • Blocked account
  • OR evidence of scholarship
  • OR evidence of UK student loan indicating the maintenance loan component per month, term or year PLUS personalised confirmation by Student Loan Corporation that loan is also payable to students undertaking a full undergraduate/graduate course or a semester/year abroad
  • OR formal commitment (“Verpflichtungserklärung”) by sponsor resident in Germany
• Professional/ academic curriculum vitae (2 copies)
• Prepaid, self-addressed Royal Mail Special Delivery return envelope (up to 500g) in order to return your passport after processing.

All students should check if their documents needs to be translated and legalised (Apostilled).

All documents that are not issued in German, English, Spanish or French require translation into German or English.

Further details regarding translating and legalising can be found here.

How to Apply

You will need to apply directly to the German Mission from your home country or current place of residence.

The German Missions in the UK operate from both London and Edinburgh with two distinct jurisdictions and your place of residence determines which German Mission or Visa Application Centre you will need to contact to apply for your visa. Please refer to our consular district mapfor details. Certain categories of need to be applied for at Visa Application Centres run by our external service provider, TLS contact. TLS contact currently has two Visa Application Centres in operation, in London and Edinburgh. 

Click here for further information based on where to apply for your Visa.

Arrival in Germany

All students need to register their new residence (“Anmeldung”) with the authorities (“Meldebehörde”) within 2 weeks of having moved in and should apply for thier residence permit with the local immigration office (“Ausländerbehörde”) within the first 90 days of your stay in Germany.

British students and nationals of countries which are visa-exempt do not require a visa for the following purposes:

• Academics, Research and Development
• Voluntary Services and Charity Work
• Internships
• In-company continuing education and training
• Senior Management
• Business Travellers
• Journalists
• Sport, culture and entertainment, domestic staff

For a full list please visit the German Mission website.

Please note you can only complete these activities without a visa for a total of 90 days within a 12-month period.

If you wish to pursue paid work not listed and for a duration less than 90 days within 180-day period, you will require a type - C Visa and authorisation of economic activity.

EU/Non-EU students do not need a visa to work, study or remain in another EU country such as Germany.

Work under 90 days not listed as Professional Activities

UK/Non-EU/EEA Students undertaking short term (maximum 90 days) paid activity (“Erwerbstätigkeit”) will need to apply for a type - C Visa.

However prior to applying for your visa, your employer must apply for pre-approval from the Federal Employment Agency (information for your employer is available here - in German).

Please note that you may not take up any employment or pursue any economic activity in Germany unless such activity is explicitly authorised by a visa or a residence permit issued by the local immigration office (“Ausländerbehörde”) in Germany.

Gather Your Documents

To apply for your Type -C visa you will need to gather the following documents:

• Please complete the online visa application form, print the form including the barcodes and sign the form.
• Valid passport signed by the holder
• One photocopy of the passport`s bio data page.
• UK Residence permit, issued as a biometric card (BRP) or endorsed in the passport.
• One photocopy of the BRP (front and back) or endorsement.
• If you hold a UK Residence Card for EU/EEA family members issued before Brexit: please provide a printout of your EU Settlement Scheme online status.
• A fully biometric passport photo, 35 x 45 mm, no older than three months. Digitally altered passport photos cannot be accepted.
• Please ensure that your photo adheres to German biometric requirements and is taken in front of a white/bright background.
• Reserved return airline/ ferry/ train ticket.
• A travel health insurance policy with cover of at least €30,000 and valid for all Schengen member states.
• Proof of address in UK (i.e. latest council tax bill, utility bill, bank statement, pension certificate or similar)
• Employer’s declaration (“Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis”) to be completed by employer (download the form here).
• Contract/Confirmation for works or services between the applicant’s employer and the German client including schedule of contractual obligations.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay

For a full list of documents please click here.

All students should check if their documents needs to be translated and legalised.

Further details regarding translating and legalising can be found here.

How to Apply

All C visas must be applied for with a Visa Application Centre run by our external service provider TLS contact.

https://de.tlscontact.com/gb/splash.php

• All C visa applications
• All Blue Card applications
• All internship visa applications

Source : What documents do I need for a C visa - Federal Foreign Office (diplo.de)

All students should read the Visa FAQ - Federal Foreign Office (diplo.de)

D-Visas: Study-related internship: “Studienfachbezogenes Praktikum”

Prior to applying for the Study – related Visa UK/NON-EU/EEA Students must have their employer apply for an approval of work from the (Federal Employment Agency (“Bundesagentur für Arbeit”).

You must not start working without this approval.

Further information about the authorisation of work can be found here.

UK Students seeking employment in Germany should apply for an “Studienfachbezogenes Praktikum” which translates as Study related Internship. You will need to confirm with your local German Mission as to wish route you need to pursue for working in Germany.

Internships in Germany are viewed as employment and therefore any employment over a period of 90 days require a Visa-D with Residence Permit arrival or entry via visa exemption and an application in Germany at the local immigration office (“Ausländerbehörde”) within the first 90 days of stay in Germany.

Further information about Study Internships can be found here.

Gather Your Documents

To apply for a Visa D – Study Internship you will need to gather the following documents:

• Complete the online application form
• Valid passport signed by the holder
• 2 photocopies of the passport biodata page
• Current UK residence permit (BRP)/ visa (foreign residents only).
• 2 photocopies of the permit/ visa
• 2 fully biometric passport photos
• Internship contract
• 2 photocopies of the contract
• Confirmation of agreement (“Einvernehmen”) by the Federal Employment Agency - Letter by the Federal Employment Agency confirming agreement (“Einvernehmen”) with a named student undertaking an internship with a named company (original and one photocopy).
• Enrolment confirmation - Confirmation by UK university that student is currently enrolled indicating subject of course, dates of commencement and anticipated completion of course. Confirmation must indicate whether internship is voluntary or mandatory for the degree.
• 2 photocopies of the contract
• Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay, such as
• Internship remuneration of minimum EUR 939 gross/month
  • OR scholarship of minimum EUR 752 net/month
  • OR blocked account holding minimum EUR 752 net/month
  • OR formal obligation “Verpflichtungserklärung”
  • OR combination of the above
• Confirmation of health insurance cover commensurate with the level of statutory German public health insurance (“gesetzliche Kankenversicherung”).
• Academic curriculum vitae – in 2 copies.

For a full list of required documentation, please click here.

All students should check if their documents needs to be translated and legalised.

Further details regarding translating and legalising can be found here.

How to Apply

All internships visas should be applied via the TLS contact Visa Application Centre.

TLS contact operates from both London and Edinburgh with two distinct jurisdictions and your place of residence determines which Visa Application Centre you will need to contact to apply for your visa. The Visa Application Centres in London and Manchester serve the Mission in London. The application centre in Edinburgh serves the Mission in Edinburgh. Please refer to our consular district map for details.

Please note some employment visas can only be applied for with a Visa Application Centres (VAC) operated by our external service provider TLS contact

https://de.tlscontact.com/gb/splash.php

• All Visa type - C applications
• All Blue Card applications
• All internship visa applications

However, please note if your internship is funded by Erasmus (“Praktikantin (Erasmus+”), you cannot apply via the TLS Contact Centre. Instead, applications for these visas will need to be made directly at the German Mission in the UK not TLS centre.

 You will need to contact your nearest German Missions to book a Visa Appointment.

All students should read the Visa FAQ - Federal Foreign Office (diplo.de)

EU passport holders (including Irish) will not be required to obtain a visa to work in the EU. 

UK Students going to Germany to work as Language Assistants will be required to apply for a Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) once you have arrived at your destination. This means you will not need to apply for a German work permit separately from a Residence permit.

UK Students will need to enter Germany as a Tourist using their 90 visa free days allowance. No entry visa is required, however you must ensure you have enough visa-free days in the Schengen area remaining to enter Germany and apply for the Residence Permit.  

All Students should passport is valid 6 months beyond the end of your assistantship and has been issued within the last ten years (even if it has six months or more left).   

Source: https://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/outside-uk/english-language-assistants/destination-specific-information/germany

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/germany/entry-requirements