Studying in Fulda usually means enrolment at Hochschule Fulda, which for the winter semester 2026/27 counts more than 10,000 students for the first time. The Deutschlandsemesterticket costs 226.80 € per semester there and is a compulsory part of the semester fee. For the 509 residence places of the Studierendenwerk Gießen in Fulda, the university expects about 10 months of waiting time, so applying early is worthwhile.
Fulda at a glance
| Topic | Fulda |
|---|---|
| University | Hochschule Fulda, more than 10,000 students in the winter semester 2026/27, around 2,400 first-semester students |
| Semester ticket | Deutschlandsemesterticket, 226.80 € per semester (37.80 € per month) |
| Residences | 6 houses with 509 places, 245 € to 622 € per place |
| Residence waiting time | around 10 months according to the university |
| BAföG | Advice from the Studierendenwerk Gießen, Daimler-Benz-Straße 5a |
| Registering your residence | within two weeks, Bürgerbüro Fulda |
Which university is there in Fulda?
The Hochschule Fulda is a university of applied sciences. According to its announcement of 12 October 2026, the number of students for the winter semester 2026/27 is above 10,000, of which around 2,400 are in their first semester and more than 1,100 come from abroad. How a smaller university town feels compared with a big city is weighed up in big city or small town (in German), and a general city comparison is in the best cities for students (in German). The overview Studying in Germany: 30 university cities compared shows many university towns side by side.
What does the semester ticket cost in Fulda?
According to the AStA (status October 2026), the Deutschlandsemesterticket costs 226.80 € per semester, which is 37.80 € a month. Since 1 April 2024 it has applied to students of Hochschule Fulda (excluding some distance-learning courses) nationwide on local transport, from 1 April to 30 September in the summer semester and from 1 October to 31 March in the winter semester. The ticket is a compulsory ticket in the solidarity model and must be renewed each time the semester changes. If you are de-registered during the current semester, there is no refund. The details are given by the AStA of Hochschule Fulda. How to travel cheaply beyond that is shown in cheap travel as a student: semester ticket and Deutschlandticket (in German). The university gives the total of the semester fee at re-enrolment, and the ticket is included in it.
What are your fixed costs per month?
Room prices on the open market vary widely, so the example leaves out rent. Three fixed items can be planned. The example applies to a 24-year-old childless student in compulsory student health insurance, without an additional contribution. For orientation, a shared flat room across Germany costs on average 510 € a month in the winter semester 2026/27. How to build a budget from this is explained in budget planning during your studies (in German), and How much money do you really need each month (in German) puts the overall total into context.
| Example per month | Amount |
|---|---|
| Semester ticket (226.80 € divided by 6) | 37.80 € |
| Basic contribution, health insurance | 87.38 € |
| Long-term care insurance, childless from age 23 | 35.91 € |
| Total without rent and additional contribution | 161.09 € |
How do you get a room in Fulda?
The Studierendenwerk Gießen runs six residences in Fulda with 509 places in total. Depending on the house, the rents are between 245 € and 622 € per place. The website does not say whether these are warm or cold rents, so check the figures. The university mentions a waiting list of around 10 months and advises applying early. At the same time, look at the flat market of the AStA and the guide to the shared flat search (in German). Residence or shared flat (in German) helps you decide which suits you. On a tight budget, the tips on an affordable flat during your studies (in German) help, you check the contract with rental agreement for students (in German), and whether housing benefit for students (in German) is an option depends on your funding status. Contents and liability insurance for a residence and a shared flat are covered in contents insurance in a residence and in a shared flat, liability insurance in a shared flat and your own flat and liability insurance through your parents (all in German).
How do you register in Fulda?
You must register a new flat with the Bürgerbüro of the City of Fulda at Schlossstraße 1 no later than two weeks after you actually move in. You need your landlord’s confirmation of residence (Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung). The Bürgerbüro issues appointments online, and registration is also possible electronically. Details are in the service portal of the City of Fulda. If you have a secondary residence, clarify the second home tax with the city. Re-registration, secondary residence and moving plans are summarised in moving and re-registering when you start studying (in German).
Where do you get BAföG and advice in Fulda?
BAföG advice for Hochschule Fulda is provided by the Studierendenwerk Gießen at Daimler-Benz-Straße 5a in Fulda. You can reach the team by phone on 0661 69031 Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 13:00. Open office hours without an appointment are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 to 14:00. Applications go through the training grants office, and how the process works is described in applying for BAföG (in German). The current need is 475 € basic need plus a 380 € housing allowance, so 855 € in total. All details on amount and repayment are under BAföG entitlement and amount (in German). In addition, the advice page of the AStA offers social advice, psychosocial counselling and a first telephone consultation with a lawyer on legal and tenancy questions. Whether child benefit is payable to you is clarified in child benefit during your studies (in German).
Which jobs are there alongside your studies in Fulda?
One point of contact is the job board of the Studierendenwerk Gießen, with positions for the Fulda region and the surrounding area. You need to register there, and use is free of charge. The AStA of the university also runs a job board. Tips for the job search are in finding a part-time job as a student and earning money alongside your studies (both in German). A position at the university itself is described in working as a student assistant (in German). The statutory minimum wage is 13.90 € gross per hour, and the mini-job limit is 603 € a month.
What is on the menu at the Hochschule Fulda canteen?
The canteen of Hochschule Fulda is centrally located on the campus and offers around 620 seats indoors and 270 outdoors. Vegan or vegetarian dishes alternate daily with meat and fish dishes, and there is also a salad bar, a cafeteria and an evening offer. Prices were raised across the board by 3 percent on 1 March 2026. How to save with canteen visits is shown in the university canteen: more than just lunch (in German), further saving ideas in everyday saving tips for students (in German), and discounts with your student card in benefits with student status (in German). The start into the first semester works with first-semester tips (in German).
Health insurance when you start in Fulda: what applies nationwide?
With enrolment in Fulda you generally become a member of the statutory health insurance for students. The basic contribution is 87.38 € a month nationwide, plus your insurer’s additional contribution and long-term care insurance of 30.78 € (under 23) or 35.91 € (childless from 23). Compulsory insurance normally ends with the semester in which you turn 30. For enrolment you usually need an insurance certificate from your insurer, and the procedure is described in proof of health insurance for enrolment (in German).
If you are under 25 and earn little, check family insurance under 25 (in German). What you pay with each insurer is shown in the additional contributions of health insurers (in German), and a change is described in changing health insurer as a student (in German). If you work alongside your studies, working student and health insurance (in German) is relevant. All rules at a glance are provided by health insurance for students: what you need to know, figures on student health insurance 2026 and costs of health insurance by age (all in German).
The exemption in favour of private insurance applies irrevocably for the entire course of study, and going back is only possible in narrow cases. PKV or GKV during your studies (in German) helps you weigh up the options. If you want to talk through your situation, the Academycon homepage leads you to advice.
Frequently asked questions
How many students does Hochschule Fulda have?
According to Hochschule Fulda, there are more than 10,000 students for the winter semester 2026/27, including around 2,400 first-semester students and more than 1,100 international students. The university does not give an exact total in its announcement of 12 October 2026.
What does the semester ticket cost in Fulda?
The Deutschlandsemesterticket costs 226.80 € per semester, which is 37.80 € a month. For students of Hochschule Fulda it is a compulsory ticket and included in the semester fee. You must renew it each time the semester changes.
How long is the waiting time for a residence place in Fulda?
The university gives around 10 months of waiting list for the residences of the Studierendenwerk Gießen. Together there are 509 places in six houses. Apply early and look for a shared flat at the same time.
Where do I apply for BAföG in Fulda?
BAföG advice for Hochschule Fulda is provided by the Studierendenwerk Gießen at Daimler-Benz-Straße 5a. You can reach it by phone on 0661 69031 Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 13:00. Open office hours are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 to 14:00.
By when do I have to register in Fulda?
No later than two weeks after you move in. You register at the Bürgerbüro of the City of Fulda at Schlossstraße 1 and present the landlord’s confirmation. You book appointments online, and registration is also possible electronically.
How to prepare for your first weeks
- Apply to the Studierendenwerk Gießen for a residence place and look for a shared flat at the same time.
- Request the insurance certificate from your statutory health insurer.
- Register your residence at the Bürgerbüro within two weeks.
- Renew the Deutschlandsemesterticket at the start of the semester.
- Check your BAföG entitlement and submit the application at the BAföG advice office of the Studierendenwerk.
- Draw up a budget, including the fixed items for insurance and the ticket.
Related articles
- Studying in Germany: 30 university cities compared (in German)
- Studying in Kassel (in German)
- Studying in Gießen (in German)
- Studying in Frankfurt am Main (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.
