Studying in Berlin

Applying with a Polish Matura, no blocked account, BAföG for EU citizens, health insurance, residence as a student.

Right of residence as a student

Students are covered by § 4 FreizügG/EU as non-working persons: you need sufficient means and health insurance. No visa, no residence permit and no blocked account (Sperrkonto) as for non-EU students. Spouse, partner and supported children can join you; other family members cannot rely on this route (§ 4 sentence 2).

Applying

• Apply directly to the Berlin university or through uni-assist (country page Poland), which lists the documents for the Polish school-leaving certificate (świadectwo dojrzałości) and school certificate, with translations. Each university decides which service it uses and its deadlines.
• Polish Matura holders: official Polish information says the Matura qualifies for study in Poland (study.gov.pl). Whether a Matura gives direct access to all German degree programmes depends on the subjects and the university; check the university's page and the anabin database. Not confirmed here.
• Language: German-taught programmes need a German test result, English-taught ones English proof. Levels vary by programme.
• Tuition and semester fees at Berlin universities were not checked; see the university page.

Money: BAföG, jobs

• BAföG (state student funding) for Union citizens: § 8 (1) BAföG grants it to Union citizens with permanent residence, and to Union citizens who are workers or self-employed under FreizügG/EU (and certain family members), and to Union citizens who worked in Germany in a job linked to the studies. A student who just arrived to study is generally not covered by these groups. Individual cases need a check at the BAföG office.
• Students may work; limits for mini jobs and social-insurance status of working students are not detailed here.
• Scholarships: DAAD.

Health insurance

You need cover: Social security and health.