open-goverance/Events/2024-2025/Euro_Trip/Trip.md

# Berlin Trip 

## Trip Overview
The trip to Berlin is scheduled for May 21st to May 27th, 2025.

The trip is organized by the UL Computer Society and is open to all members.
We'll be visiting various tech-related sites and events in Berlin, including the Hardtech Innovation Demo Day 2025 and The Berlin AI Conference 2025.
The trip is a great opportunity to reach out and look at the tech scene in Berlin, meet new people, and learn about the latest trends in technology.

### Accommodation
The accommodation for the trip will be in Kiez Hostel Berlin.

The address of the hostel is Marchlewskistr. 88 10243 Berlin, 10243 Berlin, Germany.

The hostel has free Wi-Fi, and does not allow smoking. 
Check-in closes at 9PM.
Staff speaks English, German, Spanish, Dutch & Greek if you need it.

### Flights
The flights for the trip will be done by Aer Lingus through Dublin Airport.

You're allowed to bring one cabin bag and one check-in bag of 10 kg.

The flight will be from 06:40 from Dublin (DUB) to Brandenburg Airport Terminal 1 (BER) at 10:00 on May 21st.
The return flight will be from Brandenburg Airport Terminal 1 (BER) at 21:40 PM to Dublin (DUB) at 23:00 on May 27th.

### Finances
The trip will be paid through bank transfer.
The total amount is €400, expected to be paid by May 9th, 2025.
You can give an initial deposit of €100 to secure your spot.

The money must be transferred to the following account:

* BIC: ``BOFIIE2DXXX``
* IBAN: ``IE31BOFI90595047627767``
* Reference: Your Name

## Schedule

The schedule for the trip is as follows:

| Date  | Activity                                                                  |
|-------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 21st  | Travel to Dublin + Berlin flight, optional Berlin Highlights Bike Tour    |
| 22nd  | Technik Museum + Science Center Spectrum                                  |
| 23rd  | Hardtech Innovation Demo Day 2025                                         |
| 24th  | S-Bahn Museum, Computer Spiele Museum                                     |
| 25th  | Futurium, Deutsches Spionage Museum                                       |
| 26th  | The Berlin AI Conference 2025                                             |
| 27th  | Mall of Berlin, Fly to Dublin, Travel Home                                |

## Visa & Insurance Info for Germany Trip

### Documents you need regardless of citizenship
* Your Passport with at least 3 months until expiry from May
* A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
    * Apply for a card here: https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/ehic/apply/

### EU Citizens
* This includes Ireland.
* No visa is required for EU citizens to enter Germany.
* All you need to bring is a valid passport that's 3 months from expiry.

### Non-EU Citizens

As a non-EU citizen, you will need to apply for a Short-Term Schengen Visa to enter Germany.
This process MUST be started at least 15 days before your trip (so at least by 6th May), so get on it ASAP.

Documents checklist for a short-term schengen visa stay is up here:
https://www.visametric.com/storage/images/pages/files2/6717ad5c4cc7d-VAC-Website-Tourism-09-2024.pdf

In short:

* VIDEX application form here (Check the top left to find a box that says "Deutsch" and switch it to language of your choice) : https://videx.diplo.de/videx/visum-erfassung/videx-kurzfristiger-aufenthalt
* Your actual IRL passport
* IRP Card
* Biometric Passport Photo
* Flight tickets
* Hostel bookings
* Bank statement not older than 2 weeks from when you're applying, for the past 3 months with your current address
* Confirmation of Registration and Attendance if you're a UL Student, any other Proof of Occupation if not
* Travel Insurance
* Utility Bill/Other Proof of Residence (like landlord letter) if the Bank Statement doesn't already cover it.

Once you're done with that, book an appointment at https://www.visametric.com/Ireland/Germany/en/p/book-an-appointment-national-visa and be there with all the above documents.

If everything's in order, your visa should be processed in 15 calendar days(According to Schengen Visa Code)

If all legal requirements are met, the visa will be granted and the visa sticker will be attached to your passport.
You will then need to show up at the visa center to collect it.

## Contact/Questions
Any changes/quick updates will be posted in the #berlin-2025 channel on the discord server.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the channel or contact committee members.
The link for the channel is:
https://discord.com/channels/689189992417067052/1360356182115750178

If you aren't already, make sure to join the discord server at https://discord.skynet.ie to keep up to date with the latest updates.