A Comprehensive Guide about Living in Bochum

Life in Bochum

Healthcare in Bochum

The German public healthcare system is one of the best in Europe, and expatriates living in Bochum will be able to use it free of charge, provided that they have a residency permit. Many doctors and other members of staff in the public healthcare system will speak English, and as Bochum is a major city, the best and newest treatments will be available.

However, some expatriates living in Bochum still choose to use the private healthcare system, for which you will need comprehensive medical insurance if you are to avoid incurring large costs for treatment.

For more information on this topic, please refer to our dedicated articles on healthcare and health insurance in Germany.

Education in Bochum

Germany has a free, public education system, to which expatriates living in Bochum will have free access. However, although the public education system in Germany is one of the best in Europe, many expatriates living in Bochum send their children to international schools where the language of instruction is English (or another foreign language), rather than German.

Although Bochum has only one international school, the International School Bochum, there are many international schools located in nearby cities like Dortmund, and further afield in other parts of the state. Bochum is also a major university city in Germany, and is home to six institutes of higher education, including the Ruhr University Bochum and the Bochum University of Applied Sciences.

Transportation in Bochum

Bochum, as well as the rest of Germany, has a well-connected road network, and expatriates moving to Bochum are typically be able to legally drive in Germany using their foreign license for up to six months, after which they will be required to obtain a German driving license. However, Bochum also has a great public transport network, which includes tram, rail and bus services, as well as an underground network.

Although Bochum does not have its own international airport, the international airports at Essen, Dortmund, and Duesseldorf are within easy reach of the city, whilst the airports at Paderborn, Cologne, and Osnabrueck are also accessible by train from Bochum.