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Arrival in Jena
Photo: Robert Schäf

Tips for Travel Preparation

Dear international students,

We are pleased that you have decided to study at the University of Applied Sciences (EAH) Jena. On this page, we would like to give you important information on how to prepare for your trip to Jena.

Introductory Meeting for International Students

On Monday, 7 October 2024, the Introductory Meeting for all international students of the EAH Jena will take place. 

When? 15:00 to approx. 16:30
Where? 04.03.11 (house 4, 3rd floor)

At the introductory meeting, we will answer the following questions, among others:

  • What does the International Office do?
  • How do I apply for a residence permit in Jena?
  • Where can I find my timetable?
  • How do I enrol in courses?
  • Where do I get the most important information for the semester?
  • Where can I find interesting events in Jena?

Entry to Germany

Citizens from countries that are not members of the Schengen Agreement need a valid passport to enter Germany. EU citizens and citizens from other Schengen states only need a valid identity document. In addition to the passport, travellers from third countries often need a valid visa to enter Germany.

Visa for studying in Germany

EU citizens and citizens from other Schengen states generally do not need a visa to enter Germany. Germany has also concluded bilateral agreements on visa-free entry with other countries. All binding regulations for entry can be found on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office.

If you need a visa to enter Germany, you can apply for one at a German mission abroad (e.g. embassy, consulate).

To study in Germany, you need a national visa of category C (long-term stay).

Pre-arrival information

In addition to entry and arrival, you will also have to deal with other organisational matters. Here you will find an overview of the most important things you need to consider.

The academic year at the EAH Jena consists of two semesters: winter and summer semester. The academic year begins at the start of the winter semester (1 October) every year. The semesters are divided into three phases: lecture period, examination period and semester break. Exchange students have to be present during the lecture and examination period, but it is not mandatory to be present during the semester break.

Winter Semester 2024/25

Administrative period 1 October 2024 – 31 March 2025
Virtual intensive German language course (optional) 9 – 26 September 2024
Arrival days / moving into the residence 1 – 4 October 2024
Lecture period 14 October 2024 – 8 February 2025
Days without lectures 31 October – 1 November 2024 (Reformation Day and bridging day)
23 December 2024 – 4 January 2025 (Christmas holidays)
Examination period 10 February – 1 March 2025
Semester break 2 – 31 March 2025

Once per semester, every student of the EAH Jena has to pay a so-called semester fee, which amounts to €288.65 for the Winter Semester 2024/25. The semester fee includes your student’s identity card as well as your semester ticket with which you can use all local and regional public transportation services in Germany free of charges. Please transfer the semester fee from a German bank account to the EAH Jena after your arrival in Jena.

The semester fee consists of the following items:

Semester ticket (incl. Germany ticket)

€176.40
Culture ticket €4.25
Student council of the University of Applied Sciences Jena

€8.00
Association for student affairs in Thuringia (Studierendenwerk Thueringen)

€85.00

thoska ‒ student’s ID card

€15.00
Total amount

€288.65

Health insurance coverage is compulsory in Germany. For the time of your study stay in Jena, you have to take out a health insurance policy. Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) do usually hold a European Health Insurance Card, which is also valid in Germany. You must have your health insurance recognised in Germany. For this purpose, you visit the service centre of a statutory health insurance company in Germany and present your European Health Insurance Card.

Non-citizens of the EEA are obliged to take out a statutory health insurance policy in Germany. All statutory health insurance companies in Germany charge the same basic amount for students. It amounts to around €120 per month. If you already have private health insurance or would like to take out private health insurance, you must have it recognised by a statutory health insurance company. If the private health insurance is comparable to a statutory health insurance, you will receive an "exemption from compulsory health insurance". This exemption is also recognised by the university.

In the city centre of Jena, you find branches of several statutory health insurance companies like AOK, BARMER, DAK, TK etc. Your tutor will help you finding an appropriate insurance company in Jena.

Please note: The health insurance coverage does usually start on the first day of the new semester, either April 1st or October 1st of the year.

Enrolment takes place without your presence before the start of the semester. You need to submit the following documents to the International Office after the beginning of the semester:

  • Proof of health insurance coverage (automated procedure)
  • Proof of paid semester fee (e.g. bank statement, transfer voucher)
  • Copy of rental agreement

Please consider that your enrolment will become effective at the beginning of the summer semester on 1 April. That means that you can use your semester ticket not before April. If you are going to arrive in March already, you will need to buy additional tickets for the public transportation in Jena and the region.

Procedure after arrival in Jena

If you have signed up for the free tutor programme of University of Applied Sciences Jena, you will be assisted by one of our tutors during your first weeks in Jena. The tutor will, if possible, pick you up at the train station in Jena, accompany you to the appointments with the authorities, assist you with the enrolment at EAH Jena and help you with general questions. Please consider that the tutors are students like you. They help you voluntarily. Please treat them fair and respectfully. We will inform you as soon as we have been able to assign a tutor to you.

Our tutors will guide you through all the important steps after your arrival in Jena (see picture).

Arrival in Jena

Jena is relatively centrally located in Germany near various transport hubs and is therefore easy to reach by car, long-distance bus or train. However, there is no international airport in the immediate vicinity. Most international students travel via the airports in Berlin (BER, SXF) or Frankfurt/Main (FRA). The airports in Leipzig/Halle (LEJ) and Nuremberg (NUE) are also good alternatives, but offer fewer international connections than Berlin and Frankfurt.

Jena does not have a main station where all connections cross. If you are travelling from the north or south (e.g. from Berlin or Leipzig), Jena Paradies is your destination station. If you are coming from the east or west (e.g. Frankfurt), Jena West is your destination station.

We recommend that you download the free DB Navigator app from Deutsche Bahn AG. With the app, you can easily book your ticket from the airport to Jena before your journey. You will need a credit card for in-app payments. If the app is connected to the internet, you will be automatically notified when it is time to change trains. Free Wi-Fi is usually available on long-distance trains operated by Deutsche Bahn.

As an alternative to taking the train, Jena can also be reached very well by long-distance bus. There is a dense network of bus lines in Germany, so you can also travel by bus from the airport directly to Jena. The central bus station in Jena is located directly in the city centre opposite the Jena Paradies train station.

Jena is located on the motorway (A4) and has two exits: Jena Zentrum and Jena Göschwitz. In addition, the B7 and B88 federal roads run through Jena. The city is therefore easy to reach by car. Parking spaces are available at the student halls of residence and can be booked as an option. The University of Applied Sciences Jena has a multi-storey car park where parking spaces can be booked on a semester basis.

Student ID Card - THOSKA

thoska
The THOSKA: the student ID card at the EAH Jena.

The THOSKA (Thüringer Hochschul- und Studierendenwerkskarte) is your student ID card at the EAH Jena. The THOSKA has the following functions:

  • Semester and culture ticket
  • Library pass (use of photocopier, book lending)
  • Cashless payments in dining halls and cafeterias (can be toped up with €10 to €100)
  • Access authorisation to buildings, labs, seminar rooms and parking area
  • Use of washing machines in dormitories of Studierendenwerk
  • Re-registration resp. validation of student status

The THOSKA as ticket

The Deutschlandticket is valid from 1 October 2024 and allows you to use the following means of transport throughout Germany free of charge:

  • Local public transport (tram, city bus, commuter train, metro)
  • Regional trains operated by Deutsche Bahn and most private railway companies
  • Intercity and regional buses

Not included in the Deutschlandticket are long-distance trains (IC/ICE), long-distance buses (e.g. Flixbus) and taxis.

To download the Deutschlandsemesterticket, you must first install the MeinJena app on your smartphone and register in the app. You can find detailed instructions for downloading the Deutschlandticket here: 

The culture ticket is part of the semester fee and provides free entrance to the following cultural institution:

  • Theatre in Jena („Theaterhaus Jena“)
  • Jena’s philharmonic orchestra („Jenaer Philharmonie”)
  • Museums in Jena

Please note: Before visiting the cultural institutions, you will need to get an entry ticket first. The entry ticket can be obtained in the corresponding shops (e.g. Jena’s tourist office). The ticket will be free of charges if you present your THOSKA.