Family

Are you hoping to bring your family with you to Germany?
The Welcome Center can offer you help and advice to make the move for you and your family as smooth as possible. The Welcome Center is the direct contact for international researchers in advance of your arrival to support you in organizing childcare and schooling for your children. We work in close coordination with the University of Regensburg's Family Services.
Contact us as early as possible to get on waiting lists for childcare: info.welcome-center(at)ur.de (opens your email program)
Families
Visa for family members (non-EU citizens)
Direct family members (partner and children) may apply for a visa based on your status as researcher or employee in Germany. After arrival, all family members can apply for a residence permit. The legal basis of the visa/residence permit is family reunification (Familiennachzug). Please contact your local German Consulate about the exact requirements for obtaining a visa for your upcoming stay in Regensburg.
General visa requirements:
- Proof of sufficient income in Regensburg
- Proof of sufficient housing
- Proof of health insurance for each family member
- Important documents: Marriage certificate (with Apostille) and birth certificate of children (with Apostille)
If you are not married and would like to bring your partner with you, please contact the Welcome Centre.
How old are your children?
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School systems
Bavarian school holidays and public holidays
The school year in Bavaria starts mid-September and runs until the end of July.
In Bavaria there are in general the following school holidays:
- 1 week in late Oct./early Nov.
- 2 weeks in December (starting with Christmas)
- 1 week in February
- 2 weeks in April
- 2 weeks in June
- 6 weeks, from August until the middle of September
For more information on exact dates and other relevant information regarding the public school holidays, see the following links with detailed information in English.
Free time activities
We have put together some helpful links for you and your children. They will help you to find suitable free time activities - not just for the holiday season.
Links
- Events for children organised by Tourismus Regensburg (external link, opens in a new window)
- The Child Friendly City of Regensburg (external link, opens in a new window)
- Swimming pools and outdoor pools (in German) (external link, opens in a new window)
- Playgrounds in Regensburg (in German) (external link, opens in a new window)
- Indoor playground - Ghupft wia gsprunga (in German) (external link, opens in a new window)
- Skateparks in Regensburg (in German) (external link, opens in a new window)
- Straubing Zoo (in German) (external link, opens in a new window)
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Child benefit and parental allowance
Child Benefit (Kindergeld)
As a citizen of the EU, EEA countries, or Switzerland, or as a citizen of a non-EU country, you can receive child benefit (Kindergeld), which is financial support for children, if you meet certain criteria. You must apply for the child benefit at the corresponding family insurance fund (Familienkasse).
Parental Benefit (Elterngeld)
Parental benefit (Elterngeld) is a monetary compensation for parents who have just had a child. The payment of the parental benefit is made available for those who are taking parental leave, as a way to supplement their income while caring for their newborn child. To receive this financial support for parents, you must meet certain criteria. You can apply for Elterngeld at the Zentrum Bayern Familie und Soziales.
Child benefit and parental allowance - Links
Further useful links:
- Make it in Germany: Spouses joining EU citizens (external link, opens in a new window)
- Make it in Germany: Spouses joining citizens of non-EU countries (external link, opens in a new window)
- EURAXESS: Childcare, school and family-related issues (external link, opens in a new window)
- Research in Bavaria : Childcare services, free schools and job opportunities (external link, opens in a new window)