Studying in Berlin costs between €375.30 and €381.80 per semester at FU, HU, TU and HTW Berlin in the winter semester 2026/27. These fees include the Germany semester ticket at €226.80, €85 for the Studierendenwerk and a €50 administration fee. Anyone planning to study in Berlin should budget above all for a shared flat, because the median warm rent is €650 per month.
Berlin at a glance
| Topic | Value in Berlin |
|---|---|
| Students at Freie Universität | 34,900 (winter semester 2025/26) |
| Students at TU Berlin | 33,990 (winter semester 2025/26) |
| Students and doctoral candidates at Humboldt-Universität | 35,681 together (winter semester 2025/26) |
| Semester fee FU, HU, TU and HTW | €375.30 to €381.80 (winter semester 2026/27) |
| Germany semester ticket included in the fee | €226.80 per semester |
| Contribution for the Studierendenwerk | €85.00 per semester |
| Shared flat room, median warm rent | €650 per month (winter semester 2026/27) |
| Registration deadline | 14 days after moving in |
Which universities are there in Berlin?
Freie Universität Berlin (FU) reports 34,900 students for the winter semester 2025/26, and Technische Universität Berlin (TU) reports 33,990. Humboldt-Universität (HU) reports 35,681 students and doctoral candidates together. In addition there are the universities of applied sciences HTW Berlin and the Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT), which also appear with their semester fees in the table below.
How high is the semester fee in Berlin?
It differs by only a few euros between universities, because the Studierendenwerk contribution, the administration fee and the semester ticket are the same everywhere. Only the contributions for the student body and the social fund of the ticket vary. The figures come from the Freie Universität, the Humboldt-Universität, the TU Berlin, HTW Berlin and the BHT.
| University | Semester fee | Student body | Social fund ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freie Universität Berlin | €376.80 | €10.00 | €5.00 |
| Humboldt-Universität | €381.80 | €12.00 | €8.00 |
| TU Berlin | €379.06 | €14.56 | €2.70 |
| HTW Berlin | €375.30 | €12.50 | €1.00 |
| BHT | €376.30 | €11.50 | €3.00 |
The amounts for FU, HU, TU and HTW apply to the winter semester 2026/27. At the FU the figure refers to new enrolments, and at the HTW to on-campus study. The BHT does not list a semester on its fee page, so check the amount at re-enrolment. Each fee includes €85 for the Studierendenwerk and a €50 administration fee.
Does the semester ticket apply across all of Berlin?
The Germany semester ticket costs €226.80 per semester in all five fees, which is €37.80 per month. It is valid on local transport in the Berlin-Brandenburg transport association and, beyond that, nationwide on local public transport under the rules of the Deutschlandsemesterticket. Further tickets for students are compared in semester ticket and Deutschlandticket (in German).
How do you live in Berlin as a student?
The studierendenWERK BERLIN sorts its dormitories on its website by waiting time. The categories are 6 months, 7 to 18 months, more than 18 months and more than 24 months. If you need a place at the start, apply early and search for a shared flat at the same time. The median shared flat room costs €650 warm rent per month (Moses Mendelssohn Institut, winter semester 2026/27).
For the search, finding a shared flat and finding an affordable flat while studying (both in German) help. Before you sign, it is worth reading tenancy agreements for students (in German). If you need to weigh up both housing forms, read dormitory or shared flat (in German). Contents insurance is covered in contents insurance in a dormitory and a shared flat (in German), and liability in a shared flat is covered in liability insurance in a shared flat or your own flat (in German).
What does studying in Berlin cost per month?
An example shows the order of magnitude. Assumptions: you are 24 and childless, you study at FU, you share a flat at the median price, and your health insurer charges the average additional contribution of 2.9%. Food and leisure are not included in the calculation.
| Item | Amount per month |
|---|---|
| Shared flat room (median warm rent) | €650.00 |
| Semester fee (€376.80 divided by 6) | €62.80 |
| Health insurance (€87.38 basic contribution plus €24.80 additional contribution) | €112.18 |
| Long-term care insurance (childless from age 23) | €35.91 |
| Total | €860.89 |
For students under 30 with their own flat and their own health and long-term care insurance, BAföG provides at most €992. The housing allowance is €380, so the median shared flat room exceeds it by €270. More on planning is in budget planning for students (in German) and in everyday saving tips (in German).
Is there a second-home tax for students in Berlin?
Berlin levies a second-home tax on secondary residences. Since 1 January 2025 it has been 20% of the net cold rent, meaning the basic rent without operating and heating costs. The tax office responsible centrally is the Finanzamt Mitte/Tiergarten, and the official information is available at Service Berlin. How shared flat rooms, dormitory places and a registration in the parents’ flat are treated should be confirmed with the second-home tax office. The consequences of choosing a main residence are covered in moving and registration for your studies (in German).
How do you register in Berlin?
Registration is possible at all Berlin citizens’ offices, for example the Bürgeramt Klosterstraße (Klosterstraße 71, 10179 Berlin). You have 14 days after moving in. Online, you can register with BundID and your identity card or eID card, or you can go there in person. Appointments are arranged through the service portal of the State of Berlin or by calling 115.
Where do you apply for BAföG in Berlin?
The responsible office is the BAföG office of the studierendenWERK BERLIN. You submit the application online and automatically receive a confirmation. Processing usually takes 6 to 8 weeks, so plan early. More information is on the financing page of the studierendenWERK BERLIN. The process is explained in applying for BAföG (in German), and eligibility and amount are explained in BAföG eligibility and amount (in German).
What advice is available in Berlin?
The studierendenWERK BERLIN offers three counselling services: finance and social affairs, psychotherapeutic counselling, and the Barrierefrei Studieren counselling centre for students with disabilities. If money is a worry, counselling on finance and social affairs is a good starting point. Contact details are on the counselling page of the studierendenWERK BERLIN.
How do you find a part-time job in Berlin?
Since 2026, the minimum wage has been €13.90 gross per hour. You stay within a mini-job up to €603 per month, and the same amount is exempt from BAföG. Tips for the search are in finding a part-time job as a student (in German) and earning money alongside your studies (in German). Jobs directly at the university are covered in student assistant jobs (in German). If you work more hours, this also affects your insurance, see working students and health insurance (in German).
Which health insurance do you need when you start in Berlin?
The rules apply throughout Germany. For enrolment, the university requires confirmation from a statutory health insurer (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV). Proof of health insurance at enrolment (in German) explains the process. Costs by age are listed under health insurance costs for students by age (in German), and the basics under health insurance for students (in German). If you need support in choosing an insurer, the Academycon homepage will put you in touch with the advice service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the semester fee at FU Berlin?
For new enrolments in the winter semester 2026/27 it is €376.80. It includes the Germany semester ticket at €226.80 and €85 for the Studierendenwerk.
How long is the waiting time for a dormitory in Berlin?
The studierendenWERK BERLIN sorts its dormitories into categories from 6 months to more than 24 months. The website’s housing page shows where individual houses fall.
What is the second-home tax in Berlin?
Since 1 January 2025 it has been 20% of the annual net cold rent, previously 15%. The tax is only due if Berlin is your secondary residence. At a net cold rent of €400 per month, for example, that would be €960 per year.
How long do I have to register in Berlin?
Within 14 days of moving in, at a citizens’ office of your choice.
How to prepare for your first weeks
- Ask the studierendenWERK BERLIN for a dormitory place and look for a shared flat at the same time.
- Register your residence within 14 days of moving in.
- Request the confirmation for enrolment from your health insurer.
- Pay the semester fee so that the semester ticket is valid.
- Apply for BAföG online and plan 6 to 8 weeks of processing time.
Related guides
- Studying in Leipzig (in German)
- Studying in Dresden (in German)
- Studying in Germany: 30 university cities compared (in German)
- Checklist for the start of your studies (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
