Whether you can opt out of the semester ticket depends on your university’s fee regulations, not on how much you would like to save. Rules differ between universities, for deadlines as well as for the recognised grounds. Anyone who wants to give up the ticket should first read the regulations of their own university and then prepare the application.
Short answer: An opt-out is only possible where the university provides for an exemption. The University of Hamburg names, among other grounds, severe disability with certain identification marks, leave of absence, a stay abroad and a ticket from another university. Applications go through the STiNE portal and close on 30 November for the winter semester or 30 April for the summer semester (last updated on the page: 1 September 2026).
The most important points at a glance
- Opting out of the semester ticket follows the fee regulations of your university.
- Leave of absence, a stay abroad and severe disability are frequently named as grounds for exemption.
- Each ground requires evidence, which is usually uploaded with the application or submitted on time.
- Deadlines are tight, and extensions are excluded at some universities.
- An exemption from the semester fee is not the same as an exemption from the semester ticket.
Why opting out is not regulated the same way everywhere
In many universities the semester ticket is a fixed part of the semester fee. The fee falls due with re-enrolment, and the ticket is included in the price. Whether you can separate yourself from it is decided by each university. In general, the fee regulations of the respective university are decisive. How the fee is put together in an individual case is explained in our article on re-enrolment and the semester fee (in German).
There is therefore no general answer to whether you may opt out. The Studierendenwerke point out that exemptions from the semester ticket differ between universities and must be clarified on site. If you study at a specific university, it is worth checking the page on semester fees for your city, for example the study location Göttingen (in German), if that is where you study.
Which grounds for exemption does a university name?
The University of Hamburg serves as an example, because it publishes its grounds for exemption on a dedicated page. The page lists four grounds and the evidence required for each. Other universities may count differently, so the table applies only to this example.
| Ground for exemption | Evidence according to the page | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Severe disability | Severe disability card with certain identification marks | Only for the identification marks listed |
| Leave of absence | Screenshot of the leave of absence application | The application must have been approved |
| Stay abroad | Admission notice, enrolment certificate or confirmation from the foreign university | A study-related internship abroad counts as evidence |
| Ticket from another university | Affidavit | The form is available for download on the page |
A domestic internship is not a separate ground for exemption at this university. Whether a case of hardship is recognised depends on the rules of your own university, and approval is never guaranteed in advance.
How does the application work?
The exact procedure depends on the university. The following steps follow the example of the University of Hamburg and show the logic you will also find at other universities.
- Read the fee regulations and the notes on the semester ticket on your university’s website.
- Check which ground for exemption applies to you and collect the necessary evidence.
- Submit the application through the university’s online portal, or hand it in on time, and upload the documents where required.
- Keep a copy of the application and the confirmation until you have the decision in writing.
Keeping deadlines in view
Deadlines are where most applications fail. The example of the University of Hamburg shows how tight the dates can be. According to the page, extensions are not possible for contractual reasons. Enter your university’s date in your calendar as soon as you receive the re-enrolment notice.
The application relates to the semester for which it is made, as the separate deadlines for the winter and summer semesters on the Hamburg page show. Anyone who wants to opt out again in the next semester should check the application afresh and note the deadline of the new semester.
| Semester | Deadline according to the Hamburg example | What you can do now |
|---|---|---|
| Winter semester | By 30 November | Gather evidence by October |
| Summer semester | By 30 April | Apply early for leave of absence or a stay abroad |
What applies to severe disability and chronic illness?
The Studierendenwerke clearly distinguish between the semester fee and the semester ticket. According to their description, students with disabilities or chronic illnesses are not exempted from the semester fee. For the semester ticket, an exemption is possible if the severe disability card confers an entitlement to free travel, or if the disability makes the use of public transport impossible.
If you hold a severe disability card, check the identification marks carefully, because the Hamburg list names only certain marks. The page does not name an application office, deadlines or detailed evidence. You will find these details with your university. The Studierendenwerke recommend asking on site whether further exemptions exist.
Frequently asked questions
Can I simply cancel the semester ticket?
As a rule, no. An opt-out is tied to a recognised ground and to a deadline. Whether your ground counts is decided by the university under its regulations.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Then the application for the running semester is generally too late. According to the University of Hamburg, extensions are not possible for contractual reasons. Plan with a buffer.
Does a leave of absence exempt me from the semester fee?
That is a matter for the fee regulations. The University of Hamburg names leave of absence as a ground for exemption from the semester ticket but requires an approved application. How a leave of absence affects the semester fee is for your university to clarify.
Does the exemption apply if I hold a ticket at another university?
Yes, if your university provides for this ground. The Hamburg example requires an affidavit for it. Anyone who already receives a ticket through another university should be able to prove this in writing.
Must I submit the application online?
The university decides this. The University of Hamburg handles applications through the STiNE portal under the heading applications, while other universities use downloadable forms or written submissions. Check which procedure applies to you, and keep a copy of the application and the confirmation until the decision is in writing.
Is the Deutschlandticket an alternative to the semester ticket?
It can be an option, but it depends on price and use. You will find the comparison with current prices in our article on the semester ticket for 2027, linked below.
What you should do now
- Read your university’s fee regulations and search for the terms exemption and semester ticket.
- Determine the ground you want to rely on and collect the evidence.
- Note the deadline for your semester and submit the application with enough time in hand.
- If anything is unclear, ask the Studierendenwerke or the administration directly before the deadline passes.
Further reading
- Getting by cheaply as a student: tickets, scooters and driving licence
- Semester ticket 2027: what 40.08 euros means for students
- What does the Deutschlandticket cost in 2027?
- Re-enrolment and semester fee: deadlines and consequences of missing them (in German)
- Studying in Göttingen: costs, housing and semester fee 2026 (in German)
Sources: University of Hamburg: exemption from the semester ticket (page changed 1 September 2026), Studierendenwerke: exemption options for semester fee, semester ticket and university charges
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
