Travel and Registration

Event Overview

SoCS 2026 will be hosted at the ATLANTIC Hotel Sail City in Bremerhaven, Germany, from August 14 2026 to August 16, 2026 (a day before IJCAI 2026 opening reception).

The registration fee covers access to all events (including invited talks, technical sessions, poster presentations, and the DC program), lunch, two daily coffee breaks, and admission to the conference banquet.

Please also note that the registration fees for students and non-students are the same. However, we have set aside money for student scholarships. For students who need financial assistance, please apply for the student scholarship hosted by the Doctoral Consortium; see more details here. 

We require at least one author from each paper to register and present the work in person. 

Registration Information: 

We have three-stage registrations:

• Early registration by May 31, 2026, 23:59 (AoE)

  • Registration fee: $650 USD

• Late registration from June 1 to July 5, 2026, 23:59 (AoE)

  • Registration fee: $750 USD

• Ad-hoc registration after July 5, 2026

  • After July 5, 2026, if you want to register, please contact Shahaf Shperberg (shperbsh@bgu.ac.il) directly.

Please note that all SoCS participants are expected to follow the SoCS code of conduct: http://search-conference.org/index.php/Main/CodeOfConduct

SoCS registration link can be found here

Please note that registration is non-refundable

Visa & Travel Instructions: 

Please note that visitors from some countries may need a Schengen Visa to attend; please see the German Federal Foreign Office website for details. If you are applying for a visa and need supporting documentation to confirm your invitation to the conference, please fill out this form.

Important for visa-exempt visitors: If you are traveling from a visa-exempt country outside the EU/Schengen Area (such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Israel, or the UK), you do not need to apply for prior electronic authorization for this trip. The EU's upcoming ETIAS system will not launch until late 2026.

Please be aware that Germany now uses the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Upon arrival at passport control, you will be required to provide biometric data (fingerprints and a facial photo) instead of receiving a physical passport stamp. Please allow extra time for potential border delays due to these electronic checks. (Note: Citizens and residents of the EU and Schengen Area are exempt from EES).

Getting to Bremerhaven:

Bremerhaven is a major port city located on the German North Sea coast, in the state of Bremen. It is easily accessible via several regional and international transport hubs.

It is served primarily by Bremen Airport (BRE), which is the closest airport (approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away by tram and train). Alternatively, you can fly into larger international hubs such as Hamburg Airport (HAM) (approximately 2 hours by train) or Hannover Airport (HAJ) (approximately 2 hours by train).

For those traveling by rail, Bremerhaven Hauptbahnhof (Main Station) is well-connected to the Deutsche Bahn network. Most train routes will route you through Bremen Hbf, which offers high-speed ICE connections to major German cities and neighboring European countries.

Directions to the Venue:

The conference will take place at the ATLANTIC Hotel Sail City, a prominent architectural landmark shaped like a sail, located directly on the waterfront in the Havenwelten district.

The easiest way to get to the venue from Bremerhaven Hauptbahnhof is by bus. Several local bus lines (such as the 502, 505, or 506) run regularly from the train station. You can get off at the Havenwelten stop, which is just a three-minute walk from the hotel. Taxis are also readily available at the station and will take about 5–10 minutes to reach the venue. Alternatively, if the weather is good, it is a pleasant 25 to 30-minute walk from the train station to the hotel through the city center.

Accommodation:

We recommend booking accommodation well in advance of the event. August is the peak summer holiday season on the North Sea coast, and the Havenwelten district is a highly popular tourist destination.

Since the conference is being held directly at the ATLANTIC Hotel Sail City, staying at the venue is the most convenient option. We have reserved a block of 50 rooms at the hotel for attendees, with prices guaranteed until July 1, 2026.

The cost for a single room is 160 € per night, or 196 € per night for shared rooms.

A link for room reservation to ATLANTIC Hotel Sail City with SoCS rates can be found here.

Alternatively, there are many smaller hotels, boardinghouses, and budget-friendly options in the city center and along the waterfront. Nearby alternatives within a 10 to 15-minute walk.