Moving to Tübingen

Here you find information about moving to Tübingen and Germany. You find some tips as well as useful links. Please write an email if information should be included!

1) How is the research environment in Tübingen?

Useful links:
1) Video about the university of Tübingen and the IMPRS-IS
2) The University of Tübingen has excellence status
3) Clinic with many outstanding research institues
4) One of the locations for the German Center for Mental Health
5) IMPRS-IS world renowned school for machine learning
6) Four different Max Planck Institutes on campus
7) Well-known neuroscience research environment

The building blocks of DNA were discovered here as well as significant advancements towards mRNA technology. The machine learning education and research is well-known, and several tech companies have or start research labs in Tübingen. Neuroscience is conducted in various research centers and Tübingen is one of the locations for the German Center for Mental Health.

2) Getting started in Tübingen?

Useful links:
1) Official guide with all kinds of relevant information on Tübingen
2) Welcome Centre to get started at the University

3) What can you do in and around town?

Useful links:
1) Schöner leben email list for all kinds of events

Tübingen is a typical German fairy-tale town and very beautiful especially in summer. You can check out a touristic video or a video from a student or a walking tour if you like to see more.

The natural environment around Tübingen is stunning. You are in nature after you walked for a few minutes, and all kinds of outdoor activities are possible. The alps are about two hours by car, and you find a lot of different castles relatively close by some of them are known and others more unknown. There are also great baths and saunas in the area e.g., in Bad Urach, where you can also find waterfalls. In summary, there is plenty to do in and around town.

As Tübingen is a student city there is a bit of nightlife, but clubbing is probably better in Stuttgart (~45 min by train). You have organized parties, which are sometimes advertised via the schoener-leben email list. If you like a beer in the evening, Tübingen has picturesque sceneries, lovely bars, and historic pubs. There are also many good restaurants.

4) How to find an apartment in Tübingen?

Useful links:
1) Facebook Group
2) WG gesucht
3) Ebay Kleinanzeigen
4) Schöner wohnen email list

Did not try it myself but a friend suggested to check out the local newspaper which are the Schwäbisches Tagblatt or the Reutlinger General-Anzeiger. You can also consider advertising your search there, sometimes you get lucky.

I found my apartment via contacts at my work and get the feeling that it often works in this way. Thus, reach out to your employer, colleagues, and people in general for help. When you search don’t get too frustrated about the process. It is difficult to find something, and a bit of luck is required.

5) How German is it and how much German do you need?

Useful links:
1) italki to find one on one teaching online
2) German language courses at the University

Tübingen is a beautiful German town which is visible everywhere. Sometimes you have to fill in more forms than you would want to and some shops prefer your payment in paper. However, these inconveniences are paid back through a very relaxing attitude and a very good vibe in town. People smile a lot and seem generally to be very content. Some bureaucratic processes in Germany can be a pain. Many Germans call it their collective national sport, which is only second to football/soccer. Yes, there is also a reason why Germany is the second best counted from the last place with respect to digitalization in Europe, you can thus expect a lot of printed forms upon arrival.

When you work in science, German is not a requirement. However, some of the social life happens in German. Thus, it is good to learn it a bit, but many people like it a lot in Tübingen although they are not fluent.

Depending on your residence status, you may be entitled to attend a so-called integration course which includes German language.

6) How to calculate your income and what are the living costs?

Useful links:
1) TV-L calculator

Living costs in Germany are currently increasing but your purchasing power is high in comparison. You can find shared housing from ~250-300 Euros per month to flats for yourself of ~70-150 sqm between ~700-1600 Euros per month. The food is good in quality and affordable, as are drinks. I pay about 75-150 Euros for food and drinks per week and I don’t check prices at all. I have a vegetarian diet and often buy biological products.

You have all kinds of social support systems e.g., unemployment insurance, health care insurance and more.

8) What about family and child support as well as care?

Useful links:
1) Family center for employees at the University

Generally, family support in Germany is fabulous. You get extra financial support and have the right to take up to 14 months of paid parental leave at 60% of your last salary after you/or your partner gave birth. As a family you can decide how you share this time. In addition, there is maternity leave to recover and prepare for giving birth (14 weeks) also the father gets some time. Day-care in Germany has a great quality. If you come with your family, your children are entitled to a place. However, at the moment it is very hard to find a place for your child, given the lack of emplyees for kindergardes and so called kitas. Thus you will have to apply early and quickly for your child. Usually it is for free, sometimes you pay about ~150-250 Euros per months. Food is provided to the children. There are international schools as well but not needed as public schools are of good quality in general. Schools are for free.

9) How many vacation days do you have?

Useful links:
1) Vacation guide and rules

Germany is among the top5 countries when it comes to paid vacation days. Thus, there is plenty of time for leisure and fun. However, we will make work enjoyable as well.