If you are studying in Münster, the semester fee at the University of Münster for the winter semester 2026/27 is €369.50. The Germany semester ticket (Deutschland-Semesterticket) is the largest item in it, at €226.80. Münster also levies a second-home tax of 10% of the net basic rent, from which students are not generally exempt.
Münster at a glance
| Item | Figure for Münster | Source or period |
|---|---|---|
| Students at the University of Münster | 41,217 | Winter semester 2025/26 |
| Students at FH Münster | 14,448 | Winter semester 2024/25 |
| Semester fee University of Münster | €369.50 | Winter semester 2026/27 |
| Of which Germany semester ticket | €226.80 | Winter semester 2026/27 |
| Residence halls of the student services organisation | 19 with around 4,500 places | According to the university |
| Second-home tax | 10% of the net basic rent | Statute of 08.12.2010 |
The number of students at the university is listed in the university’s profile in figures (in German). The figure for FH Münster comes from a press release from December 2024 (in German). A comparison with other locations is in the overview of all 30 university cities (in German). In the Ruhr area, the next guides are Dortmund and Bochum (both in German).
Which universities are there in Münster?
The University of Münster has 41,217 regular students (winter semester 2025/26) and shapes the city as its largest institution of higher education. FH Münster counted 14,448 students in the winter semester 2024/25 in total. The semester fee of FH Münster is not listed here; the contributions in this guide refer to the university.
How high is the semester fee for studying in Münster?
The fee for the winter semester 2026/27 comes to €369.50 in total. The university’s fee page (status 7 May 2026) does not list a separate administrative fee. The items in detail:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Germany semester ticket | €226.80 |
| Studierendenwerk Münster (student services) | €119.77 |
| Student body (AStA) | €17.50 |
| Culture semester ticket | €3.40 |
| Student sport | €1.40 |
| University radio | €0.40 |
| Supplementary student insurance | €0.23 |
| Total | €369.50 |
The ticket accounts for just over 60% of the fee. The remaining €142.70 goes to the student services organisation, the student body and smaller institutions.
How does the Germany semester ticket work in Münster?
The ticket is included in the fee and costs €226.80 per semester. According to an article from the university (status March 2024), it is valid for local transport across Germany, including cross-border travel, for example as far as Enschede. A monthly upgrade is no longer needed for this. Whether a separate ticket is worthwhile is explained in Semester ticket and Germany ticket (in German).
What does life in Münster cost per month?
The fixed items form a framework into which you insert your rent. The placeholder used is the BAföG housing allowance of €380. It is not a rent value for Münster.
| Item (example: 24 years old, childless, university) | Amount per month |
|---|---|
| Semester fee €369.50 divided by 6 months | around €62 |
| Compulsory health and long-term care insurance at an additional contribution of 2.9% | around €148 |
| Rent as placeholder (BAföG housing allowance) | €380 |
| Total without food, mobile phone and leisure | around €590 |
For the rest, Budget planning as a student helps (in German), where the framework can be extended with food and leisure. For lunch, the university has four large canteens at your disposal: Mensa am Aasee, Mensa am Ring, Mensa Bispinghof and Mensa da Vinci. More on this topic is in Student canteens: more than just lunch (in German).
How do you find a room in Münster?
Studierendenwerk Münster runs 19 residence halls with around 4,500 places. Information is available on the university’s housing page (in German) and from the student services organisation (in German). Anyone who does not get a place there searches privately for a flat share or a small flat.
For the private search, Finding a flat share and Finding an affordable flat while studying (both in German) help. Check the contract before you sign, as described in Rental contracts for students (in German), and clarify whether Housing benefit for students (in German) is an option for you. The decision between a hall and a flat share is eased by Student hall or flat share (in German).
How do you register, and what is the second-home tax?
The responsible office is the citizens’ registration office (Bürgerbüro) in the Office for Citizens’ and Council Services in Stadthaus 1, Klemensstraße 10. Appointments can be booked online, and electronic residence registration is also available. The City of Münster (in German) describes the steps.
The city levies a second-home tax. According to § 5 of the statute of 8 December 2010 (in German), it amounts to 10% of the net basic rent. There is no separate exemption for students. The only exemption applies to people who are married or in a registered partnership, who do not live permanently apart and who hold the second home for professional reasons. Here, studying expressly counts as a professional reason (§ 3 para. 4). A hardship clause is in § 7a.
Mathematically, at a net basic rent of €300 per month, that would be €360 a year. In 2010, the city also adopted a first-residence initiative aimed mainly at students. Further information on re-registration and residence is in Moving and registering when you start studying (in German).
Where do you apply for BAföG in Münster?
The BAföG office is the Office for Training Support (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung) at the Studierendenwerk Münster, Bismarckallee 5, 48151 Münster. For advice and your application, go directly there. The contact address is [email protected]. More information is on the university’s BAföG page (in German).
Nationally, the basic need is €475 and the housing allowance €380. With the supplements for health and long-term care insurance (€102 and €35), the maximum rate is €992. The requirements are explained in Applying for BAföG and BAföG eligibility and amount (both in German).
Which advice does the university offer?
The Central Student Advisory Service of the University of Münster helps with questions about choosing and progressing through your course. For psychological strain, there is the psychological counselling of the Central Student Advisory Service (in German). Further points of contact for getting started are described in First-semester tips (in German).
How do you find a part-time job in Münster?
Jobs close to the university are a good start, for example as a student assistant (in German). Tips on the search can be found in Finding a part-time job as a student (in German). Since 1 January 2026, the minimum wage is €13.90 per hour gross, and the mini-job limit is €603 per month. At the minimum wage, that corresponds to around 43 hours of work per month. The rules at a glance are in Earning money alongside your studies (in German).
How are you insured in Münster?
With enrolment at a state or state-recognised university, you are compulsorily insured with statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV), unless a primary insurance such as family insurance applies. The contribution is calculated on €855 at 10.22%. Including long-term care insurance, it comes to €118.16 (under 23 or with a child) or €123.29 (childless from 23), each before the insurer’s additional contribution. At the average rate of 2.9%, you arrive at around €143 to €148 per month. Compulsory insurance as a student generally ends with the semester in which you turn 30.
For enrolment, the university requires a digital confirmation from your insurer, which can be retrieved from 1 June for the winter semester and from 1 December for the summer semester. Details are in Proof of health insurance for enrolment and Health insurance costs by age (both in German). Comparing insurers is covered by Additional contributions of health insurers (in German). If you opt for private health insurance by way of exemption, you are bound for the entire course of study, and the exemption is irrevocable. The considerations are in PKV or GKV as a student: which is worth more? (in German). For personal advice on insurance, go to the Academycon homepage. The basics are covered in Health insurance for students: what you need to know (in German).
Frequently asked questions
What is the semester fee in Münster?
For the University of Münster, it is exactly €369.50 for the winter semester 2026/27. Of this, €226.80 goes to the Germany semester ticket and €119.77 to the Studierendenwerk Münster.
Do students in Münster have to pay second-home tax?
The statute provides no separate exemption for students. The rate is 10% of the net basic rent. Only people who are married or in a registered partnership and hold the flat for professional reasons are exempt, and studying counts as a professional reason. Clarify any questions with the city.
Is the semester ticket valid in the Netherlands?
According to an article from the university, the Germany semester ticket also applies to cross-border local transport, for example as far as Enschede. The statement dates from March 2024, so check the current conditions on the university’s website before a trip.
Where do I apply for BAföG in Münster?
At the BAföG office of the Studierendenwerk Münster at Bismarckallee 5. It gives advice and accepts applications. Clarify in advance with the office whether you submit the application online or on paper. The contact details are on the university’s BAföG page.
How to prepare for the first weeks
- Retrieve the confirmation from your health insurer and enrol
- Ask the Studierendenwerk Münster about a hall place and search privately in parallel
- After moving in, register at the citizens’ registration office and book an appointment online
- Pay the semester fee of €369.50 by bank transfer
- Contact the BAföG office if an entitlement is possible
Further points for starting your studies are collected in the Checklist for the start of studies (in German).
You might also like
- All 30 university cities compared (in German)
- Studying in Dortmund (in German)
- Studying in Bochum (in German)
- Health insurance for students (in German)
- Benefits of student status (in German)
- Big city or small town: which suits you? (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
