Essential Apps for Living in Germany
The must-have apps for international students
Starting life in Germany is exciting — but it can also be surprisingly bureaucratic. The right apps on your smartphone make daily life in Darmstadt much easier: from buses to banking, from the canteen menu to official emergency warnings. Here are the apps every international student genuinely needs.
Digital daily life in Germany — the right apps make all the difference
🚌 Transport & Mobility
In Darmstadt and across Hesse, two apps are all you need to get around without a car. Your TU Darmstadt semester ticket is usually already valid for local public transport.
RMV App Free
Official Rhein-Main public transport app: buses, trams, U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and regional trains across Hesse. Real-time departures, route planning, and digital tickets. Essential for daily life in Darmstadt.
iOS & Android: Search “RMV” in your app store
DB Navigator Recommended
The official Deutsche Bahn app. Nationwide connections, long-distance trains (ICE/IC), regional trains, and seat reservations. Essential for trips to Frankfurt, Heidelberg, or anywhere in Germany.
iOS & Android: Search “DB Navigator”
Nextbike / Call a Bike (DB) Often free with semester ticket
Bike-sharing in Darmstadt and across Germany. Nextbike is the local system in Darmstadt. With a TU semester ticket, often discounted or free for the first hour.
iOS & Android: Search “Nextbike”
💰 Banking & Finance
A German bank account is needed for rent, semester fees, and official correspondence. These apps make banking possible without a SCHUFA check and without high fees.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) No hidden fees
International money transfers at the real exchange rate — significantly cheaper than any bank. Receive money from family, send money home. Account opened online in minutes.
iOS & Android: Search “Wise”
N26 Account without SCHUFA
A complete German bank account run entirely via app. No SCHUFA check, no minimum deposit. Free Maestro/Visa card, real-time notifications, €0 account fee on the basic plan.
iOS & Android: Search “N26”
DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank) IBAN immediately
DKB offers a free current account online, a free Visa card worldwide, and SEPA direct debits for rent payments. Popular among students and expats. Apply online at dkb.de.
iOS & Android: Search “DKB”
🚨 Safety & Emergency Alerts
NINA — Federal Warning App MUST HAVE
Germany's official emergency warning app from the Federal Office for Civil Protection (BBK). Push notifications for severe weather, flooding, chemical accidents, and other hazards. Free, ad-free, and official. Set Darmstadt as your location.
iOS: NINA in the App Store • Android: NINA on Google Play
🍽 Food & Daily Life
Too Good To Go Cheap food
Bakeries, restaurants, and cafes sell leftover food just before closing at heavily reduced prices (€1.99–5.99 per bag). Saves money and reduces food waste. Active in Darmstadt's city centre.
iOS & Android: Search “Too Good To Go”
OpenMensa / Mensa DA Free
Daily menu for all TU Darmstadt canteens including prices, allergens, and vegetarian/vegan labels. Never stand in the queue wondering what's on the menu again.
iOS & Android: Search “OpenMensa” or “Mensa DA”
REWE / PENNY / Lidl Apps Deals & discounts
Germany's major supermarket chains all have apps with weekly deals, digital coupons, and digital receipts. REWE also offers online grocery delivery. Regularly saves 10–20% on shopping costs.
iOS & Android: Search for each supermarket's app
💬 Communication & Studies
WhatsApp Standard in Germany
WhatsApp is the absolute standard in Germany for messaging. Study groups, seminars, dormitory chats, and even some university announcements all run through WhatsApp. Set it up immediately after arrival.
iOS & Android: Search “WhatsApp”
Signal Privacy-focused
End-to-end encrypted alternative to WhatsApp. Identical features (text, voice, video, groups), open source, no data sharing. Recommended for sensitive communication and as a WhatsApp alternative.
iOS & Android: Search “Signal”
Discord Study groups
Many student associations, gaming communities, and study groups at TU Darmstadt organise via Discord servers. Free, browser-based or as an app. Great for structured groups with multiple channels.
iOS, Android & Desktop: discord.com
🏛 Government & Digital Administration
BundID App Digital government
Germany's central digital account for government services. BAföG applications, tax pre-assessments, change of address — more and more administrative services are moving to BundID. Login with your ID or username/password.
iOS & Android: Search “BundID”
AusweisApp2 Online ID
Uses the NFC chip in a German national ID card or residence permit for online authentication. Required for many BundID services and online government functions. Only relevant if you have a German ID or residence permit with an eID chip.
iOS & Android: Search “AusweisApp”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The three most important apps for your first days: (1) NINA (official emergency warning app), (2) RMV or DB Navigator (for buses and trains), (3) Wise or N26 (for cheap international transfers and a free bank account without SCHUFA). These three cover safety, mobility, and finances.
NINA is the official emergency warning app of Germany's Federal Office for Civil Protection (BBK). It sends push notifications for natural disasters, chemical accidents, severe weather, and other hazards. The app is free, ad-free, and should be installed on every smartphone in Germany. Set Darmstadt as your location to receive local alerts.
Yes, WhatsApp is the standard messaging app in Germany. Study groups, dormitory chats, seminar coordination, and university announcements almost all happen on WhatsApp. Set it up immediately after arrival. Signal is a privacy-friendly alternative with identical features.
Yes. Apps like “OpenMensa” (free for iOS and Android) show the daily menu for all TU Darmstadt canteens including prices, allergens, and vegetarian/vegan labels. The menu is also available directly on studentenwerkdarmstadt.de.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is the recommended solution: real exchange rates with no hidden fees, transfers often arriving within minutes to hours. Alternatively: Revolut (multi-currency account) or N26/DKB for EU SEPA transfers. Avoid traditional bank wire transfers between non-EU countries — fees are often very high.
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