Studying in Marburg costs 424.80 € per semester at the Philipps-Universität Marburg in the winter semester 2026/27. More than half of it, namely 230.50 €, goes to the semester ticket. If you study in Marburg, you should also know that the city, under its bylaws (version of 1 January 2020), levies a second home tax of 10% of the rental outlay.
Marburg in figures
| Topic | Marburg |
|---|---|
| University | Philipps-Universität Marburg, 20,899 students in the winter semester 2025/26 |
| Semester fee | 424.80 € in the winter semester 2026/27 |
| Semester ticket included | 230.50 €, of which 226.80 € Deutschland-Ticket semester |
| Residence places of the Studierendenwerk | around 2,100 (website, status October 2026) |
| Second home tax | 10% of the annual rental outlay (bylaws, version 2020) |
| Registering your residence | within two weeks, Stadtbüro Marburg |
| BAföG | Training grants office at the Studierendenwerk Marburg |
Which university is there in Marburg?
The Philipps-Universität Marburg records exactly 20,899 students for the winter semester 2025/26. The university does not list any other higher education institution at the site. For prospective students this means that almost everything student-related revolves around the university and the Studierendenwerk, from enrolment to a residence place. Whether a smaller city suits you can be weighed up in big city or small town (in German).
What do you pay for the semester in Marburg?
The university gives a total of 424.80 € for the winter semester 2026/27. According to the overview of the university, it breaks down as follows:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Studierendenwerk | 125.50 € |
| Administration fee | 50.00 € |
| Student body (AStA), including contribution 15.00 €, hardship euro 2.00 €, HLTM culture ticket 1.40 €, FZS 0.40 € | 18.80 € |
| Semester ticket, including Deutschland-Ticket semester 226.80 € and Nextbike 3.70 € | 230.50 € |
| Total | 424.80 € |
What are your fixed costs per month?
Rent depends heavily on the room. Nationwide, a shared flat room on the open market costs 510 € on average. Two other items are fixed. The following example assumes a 24-year-old childless student in compulsory student health insurance, without an additional contribution from the health insurer. To turn this into a full budget, see budget planning during your studies (in German).
| Example per month | Amount |
|---|---|
| Semester fee (424.80 € divided by 6) | 70.80 € |
| Basic contribution, health insurance | 87.38 € |
| Long-term care insurance, childless from age 23 | 35.91 € |
| Total without additional contribution | 194.09 € |
How do you find a room in Marburg?
The Studierendenwerk Marburg lists around 2,100 residence places on its website (status October 2026), spread across larger and smaller residential complexes throughout the city. Rents and waiting times are also published there, so apply early. On the private market, the guide to the shared flat search (in German) helps. Residence or shared flat (in German) shows which option suits you better. For small budgets, the tips on finding an affordable flat during your studies (in German) help, and if you are entitled, check housing benefit for students (in German).
Does the semester ticket also cover long-distance travel?
The semester fee includes the Deutschland-Ticket semester for 226.80 €. According to the university, the DB long-distance ticket has not been available since the summer semester 2026. For the exact area of validity and a possible upgrade, the university refers to its fee page. Tips for everyday life without a car are bundled in cheap travel as a student: semester ticket and Deutschlandticket (in German).
Do students in Marburg have to pay the second home tax?
The university town of Marburg levies a 10% tax on the annual rental outlay under its second home tax bylaws. According to § 2 para. 7 f, flats of students and trainees living with their parents are exempt, provided the main residence is at the place of study or training. The bylaws apply in the version of the first amendment of 1 January 2020. If in doubt, the city can confirm whether the rate still applies today.
Example: with an annual rent of 4,800 € for a second room registered in Marburg, 10% would be a tax of 480 € a year. This calculation only shows the order of magnitude.
How do you register in Marburg?
You must register within two weeks of moving in. The Stadtbüro Marburg is responsible, and you book appointments in the city’s online appointment portal. Alternatively, the city offers electronic residence registration. Further notes on moving are in the checklist moving and re-registering when you start studying (in German).
Where do you get BAföG and advice in Marburg?
You submit the application at the training grants office of the Studierendenwerk Marburg, which also offers an online application. Nationwide, the need is 475 € basic need and 380 € housing allowance for students who do not live with their parents. The maximum of 992 € a month applies with your own health and long-term care insurance. How high your entitlement is, is explained in BAföG entitlement and amount (in German), and the application route is described in applying for BAföG (in German).
For questions about studying there are two points of contact. The social advice service of the Studierendenwerk helps with social questions, and the social advice service of the AStA covers topics such as studies, part-time jobs, social insurance and taxes.
How do you find a part-time job in Marburg?
For questions about part-time jobs, social insurance and taxes, the social advice service of the AStA Marburg can help. The minimum wage is 13.90 € per hour in 2026, and a mini-job may not exceed 603 € a month. If you are covered by family insurance, your total earnings may not exceed 565 € a month, and for a pure mini-job the limit is 603 €. More on this is in earning money alongside your studies and working student and health insurance (both in German).
Which health insurance do you need to start studying?
For enrolment, universities require the digital confirmation of a statutory health insurer, including from privately insured students. You can retrieve it from 1 June at the earliest for the winter semester and from 1 December for the summer semester. The route is described in proof of health insurance for enrolment (in German). Compulsory student insurance ends with the semester in which you turn 30. Up to age 25 you can alternatively be covered by family insurance, as family insurance under 25 (in German) shows. The additional contribution differs from insurer to insurer, and more on this is in additional contributions of health insurers (in German). The overview health insurance for students: what you need to know (in German) puts the options in context. If you want to talk through your own cover personally, the Academycon homepage leads you to advice.
Frequently asked questions
How high is the semester fee in Marburg?
In the winter semester 2026/27 it is 424.80 €, according to the Philipps-Universität. The largest item is the semester ticket at 230.50 €, of which 226.80 € is the Deutschland-Ticket semester. The Studierendenwerk receives 125.50 €, and the administration fee is 50.00 €.
What applies to students and the second home tax in Marburg?
The city levies 10% of the annual rental outlay. Flats of students living with their parents are not covered by the bylaws, provided the main residence is at the place of study. Check your case with the city if in doubt, because the bylaws apply in the version of 1 January 2020.
How many residence places does the Studierendenwerk Marburg have?
According to its website (status October 2026), the Studierendenwerk lists around 2,100 residence places in larger and smaller complexes across the city. Rents and waiting times are on the website of the Studierendenwerk. Applying early improves your chances of a place.
Where do I apply for BAföG in Marburg?
At the training grants office of the Studierendenwerk Marburg. The application can be submitted online.
By when do I have to register in Marburg?
Within two weeks of moving in, at the Stadtbüro Marburg. You book an appointment online in the city’s appointment portal, or you can register electronically.
What to do now
- From 1 June (winter semester), request the confirmation of your statutory health insurer.
- Pay the semester fee of 424.80 € for enrolment and re-enrolment.
- Apply early to the Studierendenwerk Marburg for a residence place and look for a shared flat at the same time.
- After moving in, book an appointment at the Stadtbüro and register within two weeks.
- Check your BAföG entitlement and submit the application online to the Studierendenwerk.
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- Studying in Germany: 30 university cities compared (in German)
- Studying in Gießen (in German)
- Studying in Kassel (in German)
- Studying in Frankfurt am Main (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
