Register at a Bürgerbüro (city registration office) within 14 days of moving in. Bürgerbüro Mitte sits in Stadthaus 1, Klemensstraße 10 — Mon–Thu 8–18, Fri 8–12 — and the city urges you to book a slot online; queues are longest at semester start, so book before you even arrive if you can. You leave with your free Meldebestätigung (the „Meldebescheinigung“ is a separate, paid certificate). Your German tax ID follows by letter a few weeks later — put your surname on the mailbox; you need it to open a bank account. EU-ID holders can register fully online.

You cannot enrol without it. EU students: your EHIC card usually works — have it confirmed by a German public insurer. Everyone else: statutory student insurance (KVdS) costs about €140–150 a month in 2026, incl. care insurance (23 or older and childless ≈ €5 more; the exact rate varies by Krankenkasse). The insurer sends your confirmation digitally to the university.

Non-EU students proving finances for the visa: the required amount is €11,904 for one year (€992 a month — the 2026 figure, tied to the BAföG rate; always check the current number with the German mission handling your visa). It unlocks monthly once you are here.

The Semesterbeitrag (€369.50 for winter 2026/27 at the University of Münster) includes the Deutschlandsemesterticket — buses, trams, S-/U-Bahn and regional trains across Germany (not ICE/IC/EC). Download it from the University's SelfService portal (tile „Semestertickets“) about four weeks before the semester, once your Rückmeldung shows „Freigegeben“ — a screenshot or printout is not valid. It is valid from 1 October, not before: in September you pay for the bus. Then get a bike anyway; this is Münster.

Non-EU: apply at the city's Ausländerbehörde — the Amt für Migration und Integration in Stadthaus 2, Ludgeriplatz 4 — within 90 days if you entered visa-free, and before your visa expires otherwise. Appointments only by request form (no walk-ins, no self-booking); the permit costs up to €100, runs one to two years and is renewed at least three months before it expires. You need your Meldebestätigung, insurance proof, enrolment certificate, a digital biometric photo and financial proof (the Sperrkonto again). The International Office (Schlossgarten 3) advises on residence permits, Tue 12–13.