Free University of Berlin

Visiting your child at the Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin) means flying into Berlin Brandenburg (BER); the S-Bahn or regional train reaches the centre in 30-50 minutes. Plan the Schengen visitor visa well ahead.

Getting from BER to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need a German Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) - one visa covers Germany and all 29 Schengen countries. It is applied for online via Germany's Consular Services Portal/VIDEX, with biometrics given at any VFS Global centre in India. It allows up to 90 days within any 180-day period; frequent visitors can be granted multi-year multiple-entry visas (each stay still capped at 90/180). Indian parents face a higher rejection rate, so a complete, well-documented file matters.

• Apply via Germany's Consular Services Portal/VIDEX, then book biometrics at any VFS Global centre in India.
• Since 10 April 2026 the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) captures face and fingerprints at the first Schengen entry - expect self-service kiosks at the airport.
• Build a strong file: confirmed travel and accommodation, financial proof, and clear home ties; if you sponsor the trip, a formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklarung) helps.
• One Schengen visa covers all 29 countries, so parents can travel onward in Europe within the 90/180 limit.

Just admitted to the Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin)? Here's your arrival checklist.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into Berlin Brandenburg (BER) early for the best autumn-intake fares.
• FEX/regional train or S-Bahn from BER into the centre (~30-50 min), then U-Bahn/tram to campus.
• Start the WG search early; outer districts are more affordable than the centre.
• Open your blocked account (Sperrkonto, ~EUR 11,904) before your visa appointment, and register your address (Anmeldung) within two weeks of arrival.

Berlin is a mid-cost, vibrant student capital - about EUR 900-1,250 a month all-in sharing and cooking, cheaper than Munich though rents have risen fast. It has a huge international community, three major universities, a famous arts and startup scene, and excellent U-Bahn/S-Bahn transport covered by the semester ticket. Public universities charge only a semester fee.

Monthly cost of living in Berlin (a student estimate)

That's roughly €10,500-14,500 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Berlin rents have climbed sharply; the WG (shared flat) is the standard student route and demand is high.

• Start the WG search early - Berlin's market is competitive.
• Neukolln, Wedding and the outer rings are more affordable than Mitte/Prenzlauer Berg.
• Register your address (Anmeldung) promptly - it is required for many official steps.

Working part-time

On a student residence permit (Section 16b) you can work 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year without extra approval (a full day is over 4 hours, a half day up to 4), or alternatively up to 20 hours/week during the lecture period, with no limit during semester breaks. As of March 2026 the cap rose from 120 to 140 days. Student-assistant jobs at your own university do not count toward the limit, but self-employment and freelancing need authority approval. The 2026 minimum wage is EUR 13.90/hour, and the Werkstudent (working-student) model is popular. After graduating you can apply for an 18-month job-seeker residence permit (Section 20) with unlimited work rights while you search, then switch to an EU Blue Card or Skilled Worker permit once you have a qualifying job.

Safety & student support

Berlin's universities sits in a generally safe German city; use normal city awareness at night.

• Berlin's universities has campus security and student services - save the campus number.
• German cities are generally very safe, with reliable public transport at night.
• Berlin is a large, lively capital; use normal big-city awareness in nightlife areas late at night.

Indian community & food

Berlin has a large, diverse international community with well-known desi grocers and restaurants.

Indian grocery stores

• Indian/South Asian grocery shops (concentrated in areas like Kreuzberg/Neukolln) stock spices, lentils, atta and frozen items.
• Mainstream REWE, Edeka, Aldi and Lidl carry large world-food aisles; Asian supermarkets cover specialty items.
• Berlin's broad restaurant scene includes many Indian and South Asian options.

Student community

• Berlin's universities have large Indian and South Asian student associations with major Diwali and Holi events.
• The city has Hindu temple communities and an active desi cultural scene.

• A wide range of Indian restaurants across the city.

Cost & living figures for Berlin last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.