Semester Fee Deadline: Re-enrolment and Consequences

Short answer

Each university sets its own semester fee deadline in its regulations. This is the date by which you must re-enrol for the new semester and pay the semester fee. If you miss the deadline, you usually lose your student status. That also ends your semester ticket, your exam registration and the proof for your student health insurance. The exact dates are on your university’s website.

The key facts at a glance

What happens at re-enrolment?

Re-enrolment confirms to the university that you are continuing your studies. You pay the semester fee, and the university updates your status. The fee usually includes shares for the student services organisation (Studierendenwerk) and the student body, often also the semester ticket. Which shares apply in your case is shown in the breakdown on your university’s website.

Re-enrolment usually takes place through the university’s online portal. There you can see the amount, the payment deadline and the payment method.

Which semester fee deadlines apply?

Re-enrolment deadlines differ from university to university, and often from semester to semester. There is no nationwide uniform deadline. What counts is the enrolment and re-enrolment regulations of your university and the date in the student portal.

The deadline for proof to your health insurer also follows the university’s timetable. If in doubt, ask the student administration before the deadline passes.

How much do semester fees differ?

The range is wide. If you study for two semesters, the difference quickly shows in your annual budget.

1. Göttingen: 2 × €484.18 = €968.36 per year (University of Göttingen, winter semester 2026/27).
2. Nuremberg: 2 × €82.00 = €164.00 per year (FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg, winter semester 2026/27).
3. Difference: €968.36 minus €164.00 = €804.36 per year.

Whether a semester ticket is included in the lower fee, check before you enrol. The list of all 30 cities with semester fees is on data page 51.

What happens if you miss the deadline?

If you do not re-enrol on time, you can be removed from the student register in most German states. The university then decides on your status. The consequences affect several areas at once:

• The semester ticket no longer applies if it is tied to your student status.
• You can no longer register for exams.
• Your student health insurance ends with deregistration. From then on you need other cover, for example through family insurance, employment or voluntary insurance. The obligation to be insured remains. The guide Studying without health insurance (in German) explains what then applies.
• If you receive BAföG, you must report changes to your student status to the BAföG office.

Re-enrolment is possible, but not automatic. Whether and under which conditions depends on the university’s regulations.

How to proceed now

1. Note the re-enrolment deadline from the student portal as soon as it is published.
2. Check whether you can pay the semester fee by direct debit, bank transfer or another method, and plan the payment in good time.
3. Ask your health insurer whether your confirmation for the university is available. Depending on the insurer and the semester, the query is only possible at certain times.
4. Confirm the re-enrolment in the portal and keep the payment receipt.
5. Report changes to your status immediately, for example a leave of absence or a change of degree programme, to the university and, if you receive BAföG, to the BAföG office.

Frequently asked questions

Do I always have to pay the semester fee?

Usually yes, because it is a requirement for re-enrolment. The university sets out any exceptions. Whether a leave of absence, for example, changes the fee is stated in its regulations.

Is the semester ticket included in the semester fee?

That depends on the university. Some fees include the semester ticket, others do not. The university publishes the breakdown. The guide Studying in Germany (in German) explains the differences between the cities.

Can I return to the university after deregistration?

Re-enrolment is possible, but not automatic. The university checks the application under its regulations. Apply as early as possible.

What happens to my health insurance if I am deregistered?

Student health insurance ends with deregistration. You then need to arrange other cover, otherwise a gap may arise. The guide Studying without health insurance (in German) describes the steps. The figures on student health insurance are in Student health insurance 2026 in figures (in German).

Sources and checks

• Section 5(1) no. 9 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved 20 October 2026.
• Joint circular on health insurance for students, version of 6 December 2017 (administrative practice).
• Semester fees: guide Studying in Germany (in German), status 16 October 2026, university information for the winter semester 2026/27.
• The re-enrolment regulations differ for each university.

Information, not individual advice.
Editorial team: Academycon · Last updated: October 2026

Information, not individual advice. If you want to talk through your situation, the online check helps with a first assessment.

Related guides

• Student health insurance 2026 in figures (in German)
• Studying in Germany: 30 university cities compared (in German)
• Studying without health insurance (in German)
• Glossary: health insurance during studies (in German)

Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.