Living in Tübingen

Supermarkets:

• During the week, including Saturdays: open by 8:00 a.m. and closed between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.
• In Tübingen there is one large supermarket (at Schleifmühleweg 36) that is open until midnight.
• Look up "Supermarkt Tübingen" online for opening hours of your local supermarket.

Large shops such as clothing chains and department stores:

• generally open between 9:00- 10:00 a.m. and often remain open until 8:00 p.m in bigger cities. Several shops close already at 7:00 p.m. in Tübingen.

Small shops:

• Hours vary greatly.
• Food suppliers such as bakeries and butchers often open before 8:00 a.m.
• Other small shops typically open later, usually around 10:00 a.m. and may close over lunchtime, usually 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. and typically close for the day between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. 

Please note: some shops shut at midday on Saturdays, and it's not unusual for family-run shops to shut for a full or half-day during Monday-Friday. Check before you make a special journey.

Gas stations:

• Often have a  small convenience store and tend to be open late as well as on Sundays.
• In Tübingen, there are 24-hour gas stations at Bebenhäuser Str. 8 and at Reutlinger Str. 72.

Shops in Germany are generally closed on Sundays and public holidays, even supermarkets, so do shop ahead! 

• Exceptions regarding Sunday opening are bakers and florists, which often open on Sunday mornings, and souvenir shops.
• Three to four times a year, Tübingen offers special Sunday shopping days (Verkaufsoffene Sonntage), when local shops can open on Sunday between 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. For dates visit Einkaufstipps from the town council.

An online search, for example at tuemarkt.de, the Yellow Pages (both in German) or simply via your search engine should help you locate a given type of shop. Some useful shopping-related terms:

• Apotheke: pharmacist, specializing in over the counter and prescribed medicines; see also the medication section
• Asialaden: specialist for Asian food supplies
• Babyladen: sells clothing and equipment for babies and small children
• Baumarkt: hardware and home improvement/DIY store with household items like light fittings and picture frames as well as tools, nuts and bolts, etc.
• Bettwäsche: bedding, bedclothes
• Bio: label on food produced organically
• Drogerie: drugstore, selling cosmetics and toiletries; see also the medication section
• Elektrogeräte: electrical/electronic items and parts
• Feinkostladen: specialist delicatessen
• Getränkemarkt: store selling bottled drinks, often found within a supermarket; return empty, recyclable bottles here
• Mode: fashion/clothing
• Möbel: furniture
• Naturkostladen: organic food store
• Reformhaus: health food store
• Sanitätshaus: medical supply store (e.g. for orthopedic products, mobility aids and maternity supplies)
• Umstandsmode: maternity wear

Buying second-hand is not just cost-efficient but also sustainable! In Tübingen and online, you have several options:

1. The largest place in Tübingen for second-hand items is Retour (German). It includes a shop for smaller household items (Haushaltsladen) and a larger one for furniture (Möbelbörse). Furniture can be delivered for a small fee.
   The Retour initiative, part of the non-profit BruderhausDiakonie, offers jobs for socially disadvantaged people and the non-profit is supported by the Protestant Church and the Tübingen district.
    
2. Various smaller second-hand stores are scattered across the city, mostly focusing on clothes rather than household items. Just search online for "Tübingen Second hand" to discover local options.
    
3. You can also find used items on several online platforms: Popular options are kleinanzeigen.de, Gebrauchtwarenbörse Landkreis Tübingen (both in German) and nebenan.de  (a neighborhood platform in German, also useful for local tips and borrowing tools).
    
4. A couple of Facebook groups are active for giving away or selling second-hand goods. Try searching for “Free Your Stuff Tübingen”, Flohmarkt, or Gebrauchtmöbel along with Tübingen as the location.

See also our bike section for additional options on how and where to buy a used bike.

The Tübingen year is punctuated by special events like the 

• Umbrian-Provencal Market in fall
• ChocolART International Chocolate Festival and the Christmas Market in winter
• Market of Opportunities (all in German) selling craft products in spring
• as well as several other markets such as the Regional Autumn Market, the Art Market…

For dates and more events – everything from food, movies, and books to sport, races, and music – visit the event list of the city or this overview by the tourist information of Tübingen (both in German).

Just like in other European countries, the state charges a fee for using radios, television and computers in order to finance the public broadcasting institutions. Everyone registered as a resident in Germany is in principle obligated to pay this fee - this applies also to you as an international (exchange) student. The contribution is charged once per household, not per person, and regardless of how many broadcasting devices they own/use. The fee of currently 18.36 EUR per month covers all public radio, television, and online services for your home. After you have registered with the city, you will be contacted by the contribution service regarding setting up an account and payment plan. 

As the GEZ fee is paid per household: If you live in a shared flat, ask your roomates/flatmates if someone is already paying and ask them for their account number to share the costs. Dorm janitors can't assist with this particular matter. 

Setting Up a Payment

Even though the website of the contribution service contains some general information in English, the main contents are in German. You must register online via the information site (see our guide below) or via a form which can be obtained at the Citizen's Office (Bürgeramt).

Here are the most important steps in the GEZ registration process:

• Register with the GEZ (clicking on 'mich erstmalig für den Rundfunkbeitrag anmelden')
• Make registration changes
• Notify the GEZ that you are living in a shared flat and that a flatmate is already paying the GEZ fees for the household: Open this page, choose 'ich zu einem anderen Beitragszahler ziehe'. Enter the data of the person paying already.
• Cancel your registration (choosing 'ich dauerhaft ins Ausland ziehe' if you leave Germany).

Please note that registration for the broadcasting fee is obligatory. The Citizens Office (Bürgeramt) forward your data to the GEZ. If you do not register, you must retroactively pay the fees from the date of your address registration with the City of Tübingen.

When moving away, please don't forget to deregister. See above for instructions about how to cancel your GEZ registration. If you leave Germany without cancelling your registration with the GEZ and cancelling your address registration at the Citizens' Office, your GEZ fees will continue to accrue, and if you ever come back to Germany you may find yourself faced with back fees which an be tricky to sort out.

If you live in a dormitory, utility and auxiliary costs are “all inclusive”. For private housing, you may be charged for diverse additional costs besides your monthly rent. So if you have specifically opted for private housing or if you did not receive a room in the dormitories, the following information can be useful for you. 

In Germany, you differentiate between utilities costs and auxiliary costs. Even if you sign a rental contract with a rent including heating (Warmmiete) this does not necessarily mean that you will not have any other costs. Please have a close look at your rent contract and ask your landlord if you are in doubt. Please also check the useful information on   lease agreements on the website of the research campus..

Utilities costs usually include:

• warm water (Warmwasser)
• heating (Heizung)
• fresh water, tap water (Frischwasser)
• electricity (Strom)

The easiest way to bill these costs is by use, so there should be meters in your apartment or building. If utilities do not provide meters there are rules for how to legally calculate the use according to use and living space.

Other auxiliary costs can be:

• house insurance(Versicherung)
• land tax (Grundsteuer)
• garbage (Müllgebühren)
• rain water (Niederschlagswasser)
• chimney sweep (Schornsteinfeger)
• gardener (Gartenarbeiten)
• cleaning of hall/staircase (Reinigungsdienst)
• winter service (Winterdienst)
• electricity for common areas such as lights in the hall/staircase (Allgemeinstrom)
• etc.

They are usually calculated by the number of people living in a household and/or by living area.

If your landlord charges you for these, an utilities and auxiliary cost statement (Nebenkostenabrechnung) must be provided one year after any accounting period the latest. Then you can take twelve more months to lodge objections. The limitation period is three years.

Insurance in Germany can feel complicated at first, therefore the following overview highlights the policies most relevant for your stay in Tübingen and directs you to further details if needed.

Mandatory & Provided insurances

1. Health insurance (Krankenversicherung)

Health insurance is mandatory for official enrollment as an (exchange) student at a German university. Depending on the chosen insurance different medical options and procedures might be available during your stay. 

2. Statutory accident insurance (Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung) – University Coverage

All students enrolled at the University of Tübingen are automatically covered by the University’s statutory accident insurance while:

• attending courses/lectures or other official university events, including official field trips
• commuting directly to or from university
• for details on the exact coverage and limits, please check out the university accident insurance website and the flyer Versicherungsschutz bei Studierenden of the insurance company (both in German)

The university and Studierendenwerk accident insurance (see below) does not cover accidents during private activities even when on campus.

3. Further insurances - Coverages by the Studierendenwerk

As a student, you are also covered by various additional insurance policies by the Studierendenwerk Tübingen-Hohenheim. This includes student accident insurance and clothing & bicycle insurance, which apply in the broader context of university/study events and in the facilities of the Studierendenwerk. Students living in the Studierendenwerk's dormitories are also covered by a limited contents insurance (Hausratversicherung)   Details  on the exact insurance coverage and limits can be found on the Studierendenwerk's insurance policies website.

Voluntary insurances

1. Personal liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) 

Personal liability insurance is not legally required, but highly recommended as it covers a wide range of accidental damages: Included are damages to personal belongings of others – for example, if you scratch another person's car, or lose a borrowed phone. It also covers damage at a rented apartment to both immovable property (such as walls or flooring) and movable items (like furniture or kitchen appliances). 

If you already have personal liability insurance in your home country, please check if it also covers your exchange stay in Germany.

2. Additional recommended insurances

Depending on your situation, you may also consider:

• Private accident insurance (Private Unfallversicherung): provides financial protection in case of accidents that occur during private leisure activities, sports and other situations where the accident insurance by the university or the Stuwe do not apply.

• Travel health insurance (Auslandsreisekrankenversicherung): recommended for trips outside Germany/the European Union, especially if your health insurance does not include worldwide coverage.

• Household/Personal property insurance (Hausratversicherung): protects belongings in your room or apartment against theft, fire, and water damage. Limited contents insurance is already included when you are staying in a dormitory offered by the Studierendenwerk Tübingen-Hohenheim.

Here you’ll find practical details on the German banking system and tips for navigating it, including options for easy international transfers. Let's start with the types of banks you can find:

Traditional banks follow a conventional model with local branches, in-person customer service, and a wide range of services. These benefits often come with account maintenance or service fees. However, there are several banks with special offers  – also in Tübingen, where students under 25 can often get a free bank account: Banks with branches in Tübingen.

Direct banks operate exclusively online through online banking, mobile apps, or phone services. This makes direct banks a cheaper and more convenient alternative, while they lack the option of in-person consultation. Few direct banks provide free accounts and several offer special deals for certain customer groups: Direct banks in Germany.

Opening a bank account

Before opening a bank account you must be registered at the Citizen's Office (Bürgeramt) and you should consider the following:

1. What do you need the account for? Most traditional and direct banks offer basic current or checking accounts with a debit (EC) card for everyday use. The range of additional services (Credit cards, [international] withdrawl fees, currency conversion rates,  ATM network etc.) differs from bank to bank.
2. How would you like to communicate with your bank? Traditional banks offer in-person services, whereas direct banks rely on online services.
3. Special bank accounts with low or no maintenance fees: Compare current offers and check the benefits, as some banks provide accounts with reduced or no fees for students, young adults, or customers with a minimum monthly income.

The process of opening an account can be done online or in person with a bank advisor. Typically, you’ll need the following documents:

• ID card (EU) or passport
• Confirmation of registration from the Citizen’s Office (Meldebescheinigung)
• Certificate of enrolment (if applying for a student account)

International bank transfers

SEPA transfers are transactions in Euros to one of the 36 SEPA countries. The SEPA zone includes the member states of the European Union and several other European countries. All payments are made using the unified IBAN and BIC system and typically take one business day. SEPA transfers are usually free of charge, however fees may apply for currency conversions or real-time transactions.

International transactions involve payments to non-SEPA countries or in foreign currencies and require the recipient's IBAN, BIC, and contact details. Costs and processing times vary by bank and some fees may only appear afterwards. Fees often include a percentage of the transferred amount, currency conversion charges, and administrative costs, which make these transfers quite costly. Check with your bank for more detailed information.

Multi-currency platforms are offered by financial institutions specialized in international money transfers. With these modern banking apps, you can manage several currency accounts in one place. Money can be easily exchanged into different currencies and transferred internationally – making these platforms often a significantly cheaper and a more convenient alternative to international transactions.

Germany has four mobile network operators (Telefónica (O₂), Telekom, Vodafone, 1&1) that offer their own mobile plans. Other providers - often subsidiaries or grocery store chains - often offer cheaper plans but use one of these four networks. Larger mobile network companies have local branches for in-person consultations, but most providers offer online booking services. 

• compare different prepaid and postpaid options from various providers and select the one that best suits your needs
• watch for hidden fees and minimum contract lengths as some contracts extend for 12 to 24 (!) months
• to get started follow the instructions provided by your chosen provider

Many providers also support eSIMs, which allow you to access the mobile network without a physical SIM card. Make sure your device is compatible with eSIM before choosing this option. Most providers also offer free EU-Roaming, which lets you use your (German) mobile plan in all EU member states as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and sometimes Great Britain.

Switzerland is excluded from most roaming agreements. In the Lake Constance border region, phones may switch automatically to Swiss networks. If Switzerland isn’t in your plan, turn off data roaming to avoid charges.

Taking up a part-time job (a so-called Nebenjob) alongside the studies is a  common way for many students to help cover expenses.  Below you'll find some useful information and ideas on where to start looking.

General regulations

Before taking up a job, make sure to inform yourself about legal regulations for student jobs: These depend on your country of origin and include aspects such as insurance, taxes, and limits on the number of working hours or days allowed per year. For details please see

•  part-time jobs - DAAD
• side jobs - Study in Germany (Ministry for Education and Research & DAAD)

Job options

In general, German skills are your friend in finding a side job: More options are available if you know at least some basic German; some jobs require advanced German skills and if you are only here for a short time, for 1 or 2 semesters, this might narrow down your options as well, as some people prefer people who stay longer.

• Stores and restaurants: You can try your luck with various stores around Tübingen that might accept international students working part time. Good German skills raise your chances. With only a limited knowledge of German, some restaurants and pubs might accept such applications as well.
• University Praxisportal: The University's job portal for students lists a variety of offers – from internships to (student) job offers. You need to log in with your University of Tübingen account to access it. The website is available in English and you can filter for only English offers and projects as well.
• Student Assistans (Hiwi) positions: Working on campus is a popular working option for students: So-called Hiwi-jobs (Hiwi = Hilfwissenschaftler*in) are regularly offered by university departments, the central administration and others: Keep a general eye out on faculty websites, social media channels, or notice boards on campus. The University lists some student assistance vacancies on its website too. However many opportunities require a more advanced knowledge of German.

If you have an EU citizenship and are looking for more information on part-time jobs the European Union's Study in Europe website offers more in-depth information.

If you live in a dormitory the janitor will make sure that the bins are put out at the right dates. If you're responsible for putting out the trash bin yourself or if you're simply interested, you can get a personalized overview of the collection days in your street online from the pages of Tübingen's waste department (German). 

• In the box saying "Bitte wählen", please select where you are living. If you live in one of the villages belonging to Tübingen, please select "Tübinger Teilorte".
• From the drop down menu next to it, simply choose the area or street you are living and if not automaticlly done, choose the year.
• After that, you can display the dates using different options and e.g. import the dates as digital calendar (ical.data).

Want to make sure that you don't miss any garbage collection days? You can set up a "garbage alarm" (Müllwecker) email alert on the homepage of Tübingen's waste department, or you can check out the Tübingen waste app (German).