Moving away from home to enrol in a university is a big step in anyone's life - even bigger if that university is in another country! It doesn't just affect the students themselves: their parents and families will also notice changes.
Fortunately, our home town Passau is a safe place to live with a high quality of life. As a university, we try to look after our students, particularly international students, freeing them up to focus fully on their studies. On this page, you'll find answers to the most common questions you may have as a parent of one of our students, as well as useful tips and advice.
Study in Bavaria provides information to parents of students who wish to study at a Bavarian university for a semester. Additionally, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has published a brochure titled "Studying in Germany: Questions and Answers for Parents" , which provides answers to questions commonly asked by parents.
Before deciding where to study, students often want to get a taste for what's ahead. Some of the events and offerings for prospective students are also suitable for their parents - so you are warmly invited to join us if you'd like:
Passau is a fantastic holiday destination with a relaxed vibe, breathtaking views, and many pleasant surprises.
Our hometown isn't just beautiful—it is also among the safest regions in Bavaria (Source: Safety Discussion 2025 between the police and the city of Passau)."
In Passau, students have a variety of housing options. Alongside traditional student dorms, there are modern apartments and cozy shared flats. The city combines quiet residential areas with good connections to the university and downtown. Prices vary depending on location and amenities, but overall, costs are affordable compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Pursuing a degree is an important investment in the future, but it can also come with significant costs. Often, parents provide substantial financial support, whether through monthly payments or lump sums.
In addition to the classic parental funding option, your son or daughter may be able to access one of a variety of scholarships to help him or her finance their studies in Germany. Why not check the DAAD database with them to find suitable scholarships?
Other ways to pay toward one's studies is to take a student assistant job at the University of Passau or get a student job outside the University.
University students in Germany must have health insurance. This includes exchange students. Without proof of adequate health insurance, students cannot complete enrolment on their degree programmes.
In Germany, the federal government recommends a series of basic immunisations for all children and young people.
In Passau and Bavaria, an additional vaccination is recommended, as we are located in a risk area for the tick-borne encephalitis virus. The TBE vaccine (referred to as FSME vaccine) is available at any German doctor's clinic.
When your daughter or son moves to Passau, they should register with a local general practitioner’s office. The KVB (Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Bavaria) provides a patient guide that can help in finding a suitable practice.
For assistance, the patient service (available by phoning 116 117 within Germany) offers a useful doctor search tool for this purpose.
A note on costs: medical services are covered by health insurance. If your son or daughter gets statutory health insurance, they will generally not receive any additional bills for appointments or treatments, unless they access specific supplementary services. Medical prescriptions and planned hospital stays do incur some nominal fees. For privately insured people, the process works differently: they receive bills and must then apply for reimbursements from their insurance providers.
Sooner than you'll think, the big day arrives: time to move! On our website, you'll find information and tips to ensure everything goes smoothly:
If you don’t know Passau yet, your son or daughter will hopefully impress you with their newfound city knowledge soon after starting their studies. Where are the coziest cafés, the most iconic sights, the popular promenade walks? Visit one of the local festivals together, or explore the Christmas market.
Our tips:
Undoubtedly, you most important point of contact at the University of Passau is your son or daughter. Due to data protection regulations, the university unfortunately cannot provide parents with information about their adult children.
But what if you can no longer reach them through your usual communication channels?
If you have lost contact and are concerned, the following options are available to you:
We certainly hope that you and your children never have to experience an emergency.
