Studying in Erlangen: Costs, Housing, Health Insurance and Tips

Studying in Erlangen means keeping housing costs, the semester fee and getting around in view together, not least because the city is closely linked with Nuremberg. The semester fee of the FAU is comparatively low at 82 euros, because a semester ticket is no longer included. This guide shows what the FAU states, which ticket question remains open, and which nationwide rules apply to BAföG and health insurance.

Key points at a glance

• The semester fee for winter semester 2026/27 is 82 euros. The notice does not break it down by recipient.
• A semester ticket has not been included in the fee since winter semester 2023/24. The reduced Germany ticket for students in Bavaria is a separate booking.
• The FAU notice from July 2026 gives 43 euros per month for it. An older, undated FAU page gives 29 euros, another gives 38 euros. We rely on the most recent figure and recommend checking with the provider.
• Re-registration ran from 1 to 8 July 2026. For summer semester 2027 the notice gives no period.
• The maximum BAföG rate (federal student financial aid) for students living away from home and up to 24 years old is 855 euros per month.

What do you pay at the FAU?

In its re-registration information the FAU names a fixed amount per semester. The detailed analysis with payment method and calculation examples is in the guide Semester fee University of Erlangen-Nürnberg 2026/27: amount and re-registration.

Calculation example (assumption: both semesters cost 82 euros): 164 euros semester fee per academic year. If the Germany ticket is added at 43 euros per month, a six-month semester costs 258 euros for the ticket (our calculation). The total of fee and ticket is therefore 340 euros per semester if you use the ticket throughout.

Which ticket price applies: 43, 38 or 29 euros?

The FAU pages contradict each other. The notice on re-registration from July 2026 gives 43 euros per month for the reduced Germany ticket in Bavaria. An older FAU page on the semester ticket gives 29 euros and refers to winter semester 2023/24 and summer semester 2024. A German-language FAU page on the semester ticket gave 38 euros in an earlier check, without a date. We rely on the most recent dated figure.

How much rent should you plan for in Erlangen?

Many students compete for the same rooms in the region. Whether you live in Erlangen or in the area around Nuremberg decides your rent and travel costs. Reliable prices come from the rent index (Mietspiegel) of the City of Erlangen, not from a guide.

• Residence: apply through the Studierendenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg (student services organisation) and check the deadlines early.
• Shared flat in Erlangen: compare the warm rent and service charges, and clarify the deposit.
• Area around Nuremberg: the rent may be lower, but travel time and a ticket come on top.

Example calculation (assumption): 390 euros warm rent and 148 euros for health and long-term care insurance come to about 538 euros per month, before the semester fee, food and study materials are added.

Which health insurance applies during your studies in Erlangen?

Statutory health insurance for students follows the same nationwide rules. The assessment base is 855 euros per month. The overview applies to students without children aged 23 and over and uses the average additional contribution.

The additional contribution of your health insurer differs from the average, so a comparison is worthwhile. For how health insurance connects with your life situation, see Student health insurance: private or statutory, what suits you (in German).

How do you get around Erlangen and Nuremberg?

Local transport runs through the Verkehrsverbund Großraum Nürnberg (VGN, the regional transport association). Because the fee no longer includes a semester ticket, you decide yourself whether the reduced Germany ticket suits you. For short trips within Erlangen, a bicycle is often the cheapest option. If you commute regularly to Nuremberg, compare the ticket with single fares. An overview is given in the guide Getting around cheaply as a student (in German).

Which universities shape Erlangen?

The FAU is the city’s central university, with a broad range of subjects, including a medical faculty with a university hospital in Erlangen. The Nuremberg Institute of Technology (Technische Hochschule Nürnberg), by contrast, is located in Nuremberg. For your costs it matters which location you are enrolled at, because your place of residence, travel route and ticket depend on it.

Which BAföG rates apply in Erlangen?

BAföG is calculated uniformly across Germany. The rates come from the standard rates that have applied since 1 August 2024. The responsible office for applications is the Office for Training Support (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung), not the city.

The reform of BAföG is in the legislative process, and the outcome and timing are open. Plan with the current status and check for changes regularly.

Frequently asked questions

What is the semester fee of the FAU?

82 euros for winter semester 2026/27 according to the FAU. A semester ticket is not included. For summer semester 2027 there is no information yet, so the amount is only a guide until then.

Does the July re-registration deadline also apply to summer semester?

No. The period from 1 to 8 July 2026 applies to winter semester 2026/27. For summer semester 2027 the notice gives no period, so you need to ask the FAU.

Is a flat in Nuremberg better than one in Erlangen?

That depends on rent, travel time and ticket. Work out the total cost: warm rent plus travel on one side, and an Erlangen flat with a shorter commute on the other.

How much can I earn from a mini-job?

A mini-job can pay up to 603 euros per month in 2026. The minimum wage is 13.90 euros gross per hour (as of 1 January 2026). Under BAföG, your own income above the allowance of 389 euros per month counts.

How does applying for a residence place in Erlangen work?

Applications go through the Studierendenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg. Check the deadlines, waiting lists and offers in both cities, so that you do not rely on a single place. We have no verified residence rents.

What to do now

1. Read the re-registration information of the FAU and note the deadline for your semester.
2. Decide whether the reduced Germany ticket, a monthly ticket of your own or a bicycle suits you, and check the price with the provider.
3. Compare residence, shared flat and surrounding area using your actual total costs.
4. Settle health insurance and BAföG before you sign a rental contract.

Related guides

• Semester fee University of Erlangen-Nürnberg 2026/27: amount and re-registration
• Studying in Halle: costs, housing, health insurance and tips
• Applying for BAföG: application, deadlines and documents (in German)
• Getting around cheaply as a student (in German)
• Budget planning during your studies: a monthly budget in three steps (in German)

Sources: FAU, re-registering for winter semester 2026/27 (notice of 1 July 2026, updated 14 July 2026); FAU, semester ticket (English, undated, refers to winter semester 2023/24 and summer semester 2024); FAU, semester ticket (in German, undated, earlier check); GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on calculation values 2026 (in German, status 01.01.2026); German Student Services Organisation, BAföG rates (in German, valid since 1 August 2024); Section 236 SGB V, assessment base (in German).

Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.