Welcome office

On behalf of all employees of our institute, we warmly welcome new employees from abroad to the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion in Mülheim an der Ruhr.

Our Welcome Service offers support and services to students, scientists and visiting scholars who are coming from abroad.

All the following information can also be found in our guide for international scientists that helps with the first steps after arriving in Germany.

Our departments’ secretaries serve as a first point of contact for you. They can assist you with the following services:

  • Applying for a residence permit
  • Health insurance matters
  • Renting an apartment provided by the Max Planck Institute
  • Filling in German forms related to your stay at the MPI CEC

Upon arrival, you will furthermore be assigned a personal mentor who will show you around the institute, and help with all necessary formalities and questions that might come up. We wish everybody a good start at the MPI CEC, success for your research projects and we hope that you and your family will settle quickly and enjoy your stay in Germany!

Visa and residence permit

There are different types of visas depending on the purpose and the period of your stay at our institute. EU nationals do not require a visa to enter the Federal Republic of Germany. Generally speaking, all other foreigners require a visa for stays in Germany. A visa is not required for visits of up to 90 days in an 180‑day period for nationals of those countries for which the European Community has abolished the visa requirement. more

Health Care

Germany has a universal multi-payer health care system with two main types of health insurance: "Statutory Health Insurance" (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) known as sickness funds and "Private Health Insurance" (Private Krankenversicherung). more

Tax system

If you have never worked in Germany before, you need an identification number. Please make an appointment at the local Finanzamt. more

Banking

To receive your salary and be able to withdraw money, it is necessary to open a giro account at a bank, savings bank or Postbank. The service they offer are more or less the same, it depends on your personal needs and wishes on customer service and account fees. more

Accommodation

We will hand out a list of possible addresses and contact persons in Mülheim to you after your arrival at the institute. All current accommodation advertisements are also published in our Intranet. Asking your new colleagues is always a good idea, maybe someone heard about a good apartment etc. more

Mülheim/Ruhr

Mülheim offers a variety of interesting and attractive locations, inviting visitors to enjoy a stroll around the city by the river Ruhr. From the Old Town up to the Water Station, visitors can spend an entertaining time and explore many different areas of beauty and interest. more

Facts about Germany

The portal offers all sorts of up-to-date and reliable information about all aspects of modern life in Germany. Figures, facts, interesting timelines and all information are available in 19 different languages, including Arabic, English, Farsi and Chinese. more

MPG - Guide

Living and working in Germany - For international scientists. Link