To ensure that your departure from TUM and your departure from Munich go smoothly, we have compiled the most important steps for you. It is best to start your preparations a few months before your planned departure date. If you have any questions, we are always happy to assist you via email, online, or in person!
Terminate your lease in a timely and written manner – usually, there is a notice period of three months before moving out. Arrange an appointment with your landlord in advance for a property inspection to discuss the refund of your deposit. Make sure to leave the apartment clean and empty and return all keys. Also, clarify in advance whether painting the walls is required.
If you or your landlord are looking for a new tenant, we are happy to assist you: The TUM Accommodation Service compiles private housing offers in an informal database and offers them to newcomers.
In this case, please send us a brief message.
Before you leave Munich, you must deregister your address. Please schedule an appointment with your responsible registration office in advance and bring the completed deregistration form as well as your ID card. The deregistration can be done up to one week before your departure and must be completed no later than two weeks after. Deregistration is very important, especially if you plan to return to Germany in the future.
Remember to cancel your contracts and insurance policies in time. This includes, among others, electricity, telephone and internet providers, your public transport subscription, gym membership, as well as your health and liability insurance.
Also, make sure to deregister your licence fee. You can deregister online with the ARD/ZDF contribution service. For this, you will need the deregistration confirmation from your registration office.
Close your bank account. Inform all relevant parties about your new account and/or settle any outstanding bills in advance.
Set up a mail forwarding service (Nachsendeauftrag) with Deutsche Post to ensure that your mail is reliably forwarded to your new address.
Deregister your child from school or kindergarten in good time and inform the TUM Family Service if it was involved in the application process. Also remember to inform the relevant authorities of any changes to child benefit or parental allowance in connection with your departure.
As a scholarship holder, you do not have to submit a tax return in Germany, as scholarships are tax-free.
If you have concluded an employment contract with TUM, please check whether it is advantageous or even obligatory to submit a tax return in your individual case. The relevant authorities will automatically be informed of your deregistration from Germany.
As a scholarship holder, you have not paid into the German social security system and therefore do not receive a pension in Germany.
If you have worked as a TUM employee, you have automatically paid into the German social security system and the VBL supplementary pension scheme and are therefore entitled to a pension. In this case, we recommend that you obtain information from the following institutions:
- German pension insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung)
On the German pension insurance website you will find comprehensive information on the German pension system and international regulations that may affect your pension entitlements. Personal advice is also available by telephone. - Pension Institution of the Federal and State Governments (VBL)
In addition to the statutory pension insurance, the VBL offers an additional pension scheme for employees in the public sector. Academic employees can choose between the VBLklassik and VBLextra pension plans. You can find detailed information on the differences and other relevant topics on the VBL website. - Find your Pension
The Find your Pension platform offers detailed information on the pension landscape in Germany and Europe, especially for researchers. It also provides a pension tracking tool that helps researchers to keep track of their pension entitlements from various European countries.
Before you leave TUM, return all keys, books and other items on loan from the institute or libraries.
If you have a PersonalCard or GuestCard, you can have the remaining credit refunded at of the Munich Student Union service points. Send your PersonalCard by internal mail to the Human Resources Department (ZA 2), while GuestCards must be returned to IT Support.
TUM Community
Whether career advice, mentoring programs or alumni meetings abroad – as a former TUM employee you still have access to the services of TUM Alumni & Career. With your TUM ID you can log in directly and take advantage of all the benefits of the TUM Community.
TUM Liaison Offices
The TUM Liaison Officers will also be happy to hear from you after your return home and would be delighted to invite you to alumni events, for example. They regularly host alumni events and share region-specific updates. To connect directly, feel free to reach out via the following platforms: