Studying in Germany: 30 university cities compared

Studying in Germany varies considerably from city to city. In our 30 university cities, the semester fee (Semesterbeitrag) of the university considered ranges from €82.00 at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg to €484.18 at the University of Göttingen (each for the winter semester 2026/27). Over two semesters, the fee alone makes a difference of more than €800 per year. For a shared room, the nationwide average according to the Moses Mendelssohn Institute is around €510 in the winter semester 2026/27, and well above that in some large cities.

This overview sets the figures side by side and links to the city guides with all the details. It does not rate any city. Which place of study suits you depends first on your degree programme, and only then on money.

Key facts

• The semester fee ranges from €82.00 (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg) to €484.18 (University of Göttingen) among the universities considered. Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are at the lower end.
• Nationwide, a shared room costs around €510 on average in the winter semester 2026/27. The BAföG housing allowance is €380.
• Many cities levy a second-residence tax (Zweitwohnungsteuer) on a secondary residence. The rates differ from city to city and are set in the local statutes.
• Health insurance, BAföG and child benefit (Kindergeld) follow the same nationwide rules. They do not depend on the place of study.

Studying in Germany: all 30 university cities at a glance

The table shows for each city the federal state, the semester fee of the university considered with its semester, and the second-residence tax. Where the semester fee says “currently” (derzeit), the source does not name a semester for the university. Each city name leads to the detailed guide (in German).

What determines the costs of a place of study?

Four items differ considerably from city to city: the semester fee, the rent, the second-residence tax and whether a semester ticket is included in the fee. Everything else follows nationwide rules, for example the contribution to statutory health insurance or the BAföG rates.

Rent usually makes up the largest part of the monthly budget. For guidance on the total budget, see How much money you really need as a student each month (in German). For the total cost of a degree, see Costs of studying at a glance (in German).

What is the semester fee, and what does the semester ticket include?

The semester fee is the amount you pay to the university on enrolment and re-registration. It usually includes shares for the student services organisation and the student body, and often also for a semester ticket. What exactly is included is decided by each university. Always compare the breakdown on the university’s website.

The range is large. Among the universities considered, the fee lies between €82.00 (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg) and €484.18 (Göttingen). Further examples for winter semester 2026/27: €402.00 in Hamburg, €376.80 at FU Berlin, €366.90 in Mainz, €361.00 at TU Dresden, €346.80 at FH Dortmund and €332.30 in Leipzig.

A calculation example shows what this adds up to per year. Example with two semesters and an unchanged fee: in Göttingen, 2 × €484.18 = €968.36 are due, at FAU Nuremberg 2 × €82.00 = €164.00. The difference is €804.36. Clarify with the university before enrolment whether the semester ticket is included in the lower fee.

Nationwide, the Germany semester ticket (Deutschland-Semesterticket) costs €37.80 a month in 2026 (€226.80 per semester), where it is offered. That is 60% of the price of the Germany Ticket (Deutschlandticket) of €63 per month. More on this is in Semester ticket and Germany Ticket during your studies (in German).

How expensive is a shared room in university cities?

The Moses Mendelssohn Institute gives around €510 for a shared room nationwide in the winter semester 2026/27 (Moses Mendelssohn Institute, WS 2026/27). The BAföG housing allowance for students who do not live with their parents is €380. According to the press release of the German Student Services Organisation of 17 September 2026, the average shared-room rent in 76 of the 90 cities surveyed is above this allowance (German Student Services Organisation).

For some of our 30 cities, verified individual values are available. They come from different surveys and are therefore not strictly comparable. Pay attention to the column “Measure”.

How to find a room and what matters in the contract is explained in How to find a flatshare, Student hall of residence or shared flat and Tenancy agreement for students (all in German). If the budget is not enough despite BAföG, a look at Housing benefit for students (in German) is worthwhile. An overview of rent ranges is given in Affordable student housing in Germany.

What is the second-residence tax, and when is it due?

The second-residence tax is a municipal tax that many cities levy on a secondary residence. Students are affected if they live at their place of study but are not registered there as their main residence, and the city’s statute provides no exception. The assessment is usually based on the annual net basic rent, that is, the rent without operating and heating costs.

The rates differ considerably. In Stuttgart the rate is 20% of the annual net basic rent since 1 January 2026, and in Dresden 15% since 1 January 2026. For other cities, ask the city or check its statute. Statutes change, so check the current position on the city’s website before you move.

Example with an assumed net basic rent of €400 a month, so €4,800 a year: at an assumed rate of 10% this would be €480 a year, at an assumed rate of 20% €960 a year. At the same rent, the rate doubles the burden.

How re-registration, main residence and secondary residence are connected is explained in Moving and registering for your studies (in German).

What is the same at every place of study?

Three areas follow the same nationwide rules: health insurance, BAföG and child benefit. The place of study does not change this.

Health insurance

If you are enrolled at a state or state-recognised university, you are generally compulsorily insured in statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) (§ 5 para. 1 no. 9 SGB V, text of § 5 SGB V), provided no prior insurance applies, such as family insurance. Compulsory student insurance (KVdS) usually ends with the semester in which you turn 30. On enrolment, the university requires digital confirmation from a statutory health insurance fund.

The contribution assessment is €855, and the contribution rate 10.22%. This gives a basic contribution of €87.38 a month, which is the same nationwide. With long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung), if you are under 23 you pay €118.16 plus the additional contribution; if you are childless and 23 or older, €123.29 plus the additional contribution. The additional contribution depends on your health insurance fund.

Family insurance (Familienversicherung) through your parents is possible until age 25 if you study and your total income does not exceed €565 a month (mini-job special rule: €603). Details can be found in Health insurance for students (in German), Family insurance under 25 (in German), Costs of health insurance by age and Proof of health insurance at enrolment (in German). The choice of fund is covered in Additional contributions of health insurance funds and Changing health insurance fund as a student (in German). If you work alongside your studies, read Working student and health insurance. A decision guide on private health insurance (private Krankenversicherung, PKV) or statutory insurance is offered in Private or statutory health insurance during your studies (in German). If you want to talk through your situation, you will find the route to advice on the Academycon homepage (in German).

BAföG

You apply for BAföG (federal student financial aid) at the office for training assistance (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung) responsible for your place of study. The housing allowance for students who do not live with their parents is €380. Everything on entitlement and amount is in BAföG entitlement and amount explained (in German); for the application, see Applying for BAföG (in German).

Child benefit

Child benefit is €259 per child per month in 2026. It is generally paid for children in training or studying up to age 25. You or your parents apply at the family benefits office (Familienkasse). Further requirements are explained in Child benefit during your studies (in German).

Frequently asked questions

What does the semester fee cost in Germany?

It depends on the university. Among the universities considered in the 30 cities, the semester fee in the winter semester 2026/27 ranges from €82.00 (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg) to €484.18 (University of Göttingen). It includes shares for the student services organisation, the student body and, depending on the university, the semester ticket. Each university publishes the breakdown on its website.

How expensive is a shared room in a university city?

According to the Moses Mendelssohn Institute, a shared room costs around €510 nationwide in the winter semester 2026/27. In Munich the survey gives an asking rent of €800 for the summer semester 2026, and in Bonn €565 for the winter semester 2026/27. The BAföG housing allowance of €380 is below that in most of the cities surveyed.

Is a second-residence tax charged at my place of study?

In many cities, yes, if you are only registered there as a secondary resident. The rates are set in the local statutes. Exceptions for students are governed by the respective statute. Ask the city before you re-register or decide which residence is your main residence.

Do I need my own health insurance at my place of study?

If you are not family insured, yes. As an enrolled student you are generally compulsorily insured in statutory health insurance until the end of the semester in which you turn 30. On enrolment the university requires confirmation from your statutory fund. The place of study does not affect the contributions.

Does child benefit depend on the place of study?

No. In 2026 the family benefits office pays €259 per child and month nationwide, for studies generally up to age 25. Most families are served by a family benefits office of the Federal Employment Agency.

How to choose your place of study

1. Decide on your degree programme and university first. Only after that do the costs of a city become a sensible criterion.
2. Check the university’s semester fee and whether a semester ticket is included. The table above gives you the framework.
3. Weigh rent and form of housing: a student hall of residence place from the student services organisation, a shared flat or your own flat. Set the rent against the BAföG housing allowance of €380.
4. Clarify the second-residence tax and your main residence before you re-register.
5. Sort out health insurance, the BAföG office and the family benefits office for the start. A checklist for the start of studies (in German) helps.

Differences between big cities and small towns as a way of life are covered in Big city or small town: what suits you (in German). For the start, first-semester tips and Budget planning during your studies (in German) also help. If you want to earn money alongside your studies, read Earning money alongside your studies (in German).

Related articles

• City comparison: where to study in Germany (in German)
• Costs of studying at a glance (in German)
• How much money you really need as a student each month (in German)
• Student health insurance 2026 in figures (in German)

Related guides

• Living and studying in Germany
• Liability insurance for students: who needs it
• Liability insurance in a shared flat or your own flat
• Scholarships for students: types, providers, requirements
• German original (in German)

Information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative. Last reviewed: 21 October 2026.