Useful Links & Trustworthy Websites
German Federal Foreign Office
Visa Information; Consular information; Working, Living or Studying in Germany; FAQs; HelpDesk
You can apply online for Federal Foreign Office services here:
Visa applications in the Consular Services Portal
Online, simple and secure
Helps you to quickly and easily find the visa you need to enter and stay in Germany. Answer a few questions about the purpose of your entry and get sound information on how and where to apply for the relevant visa.
Make it in Germany
Working in Germany
Make it in Germany
The official website for qualified professionals
Check your options of working and living in Germany with their Quick-Check
German Federal Employment Agency
Arbeitsagentur
Living, working and studying in Germany: explained step by step
The City of Hamburg
Doctors & Emergencies
Popular online platform in Germany for finding and booking medical appointments with doctors, therapists, and specialists – often with English-speaking options.
Jameda
Doctor rating and search platform. Use filters to find doctors by specialty, language, and location.
112 – Emergency number in Germany (no area code needed)
For urgent medical help, fire, or police. Works Europe-wide.
116 117 – Medical on-call service (ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst)
If you're sick outside regular office hours but don’t need an emergency room. Available 24/7.
Housing
Unfurnished, long-term rent:
Kleinanzeigen (basically the German version of Craigslist)
Fully furnished rooms:
(make sure you filter for “Registration (Anmeldung) possible”)
Public Transport
Deutsche Bahn (national railway company)
Flixtrain (affordable train and bus travel across Germany)
HVV (Hamburg’s public transport company)
Family & Children
Here you will find information for your life as a family in Hamburg: from childcare to the school system to financial aid and counselling options: