Living in Jena

We recommend that all international students apply for a room in a dormitory parallel to applying for studies.

The student services organizationExternal link Studierendenwerk Thüringen manages 21 halls of residence in Jena with a total of 3,000 places. There are a few individual apartments, however, most students stay in single rooms in shared flats with between one and eight other students, who share a kitchen and a bathroom.

The rent (approx. €200–350 per month) is fixed for a period of 6 months. This means that you have to pay higher monthly rent for a shorter period of use. The Studierendenwerk requires a deposit of €300 after concluding the tenancy agreement.

The application deadlines for international students are 15 January and 15 July for the following semester. However, as there are only a few rooms available, apply as soon as possible. Please do not forget to confirm your application and to accept the offer of a room by e-mail.

The monthly rent is due on the 3rd working day of the respective month. Students must submit a SEPA direct debit mandate (German or SEPA-compliant European account). International students without such an account have to transfer the first rent and deposit in advance, from the 2nd rent on a SEPA direct debit mandate is required. Cash payment on site is not offered. Please see the general regulations.External link

Private rooms, flats, shared flats
It is difficult to find a private room in Jena from abroad. We advise looking in neighbouring towns and cities, too (Weimar, Erfurt, Kahla, Gera, Apolda). It is best to do so using the Internet. There are many information boards in the university buildings displaying available rooms and flats. Please take note of our advice pdf, 349 kb · de on looking for accommodation and life in Jena in general.

There are no tuition fees at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. You just pay a small fee for courses in the language centre and sports centre, which are not on the curriculum.

All students have to pay a semester fee for the administration of the student body and the Studierendenwerk (approximately €245). This semester fee covers the use of local public transport in Jena and in Central Thuringia, and local trains throughout Thuringia for the entire semester. Students also pay far less for food in the canteen and cafeteria when they use their student ID.

Money is mainly needed for accommodation, food, health insurance, books, clothing, and personal things. We recommend you a budget of €750-900 per month for everything.

• €0 tuition fees
• €45 semester fee with semester ticket (monthly)
• €300 rent (can be higher)
• €220 food
• €30 clothing, shoes
• €50 books, copies
• €120 health insurance
• €50 telephone, Internet, TV and radio licence fee
• €50 free time (individual)

Please take note of our advice on financing your studies, e.g. by working.

There are various job opportunities in Jena. You should have at least good command of German if you want to have a choice among them. Jobs in which you do not need (much) German are rare, opten physically demanding, not very well paid and usually you have to commute to Erfurt/Gera for them.

When looking for a job, please observe the requirements of the German Immigration Law: non-EU citizens whose main reason for staying in Germany is studying can only work for 120 days (or 240 half-days) per year without a special work permit. This does not apply for work as a student assistant (“studentische Hilfskraft”) or graduate assistant (“wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft”).

Accept a work offer only if you have an employment contract and your employer is also paying social security contributions for you. Those working illegally may be liable to prosecution.

• General advice (tips and matters) [pdf, 203 kb] depdf, 203 kb · de
• University job boardExternal link
• Studierendenwerk’s job boardExternal link
• Jobs in JenaExternal link
• Welcome Centre Thuringia job databaseExternal link
• Tips on applyingExternal link
• Living and working in Thuringia: STAY projectExternal link

Get advice and more information about your job search at the Career PointExternal link!

Travelling to Germany without a visa

EU citizens and citizens of Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, South Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA. Please also note the information below (After arriving in Germany).

Travelling to Germany only with a visa

Citizens of all countries other than those stated above have to apply for an entry visa for study purposes from the embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in their current country of residence before leaving. Submit the proof of admission you have received from the University with the visa application approximately two months before the beginning of the study programme. Do not travel to Germany with a tourist visa, a Schengen visa or a residence permit from another EU member state because these cannot be converted into student visas in Jena.

Special registration process for guest students/students of double-degree master’s programmes who

1. are not an EU citizen and you study at a partner university within the EU, and
2. have a student residence permit from one of the EU members which is valid longer than the planned guest stay in Germany (max. 360 days),

please refer to our informationpdf, 122 kb · de and fill in the registration formpdf, 26 kb · de as well as the proof of financial means.docx, 15 kb · de

After arriving in Germany

All students have to register with their local residents’ registration office.

All non-EU citizens also have to register with the Immigration Office of their place of residenceExternal link if their residence permits are not valid for long enough. Students from non-EU countries then have to apply for an electronic residence permit for study purposes (fee is approximately €110). These students receive a certificate of study for the Immigration Office from the University after enrolling. All foreign students have to be able to prove how they are about to finance their stay in Germany. Proof of financing must be provided to the immigration office if necessary (this also applies for EU citizens). This proof should be issued and signed by your funding institution, your home university or your parents (or other private sponsors).

Please take note of the advice given by the German embassy in your country of residenceExternal link and the Jena Immigration OfficeExternal link.

Those wishing to work as well as study also have to follow the rules regarding the right of residence. Find out more information here.

Health insurance

Students should have a valid health insurance for the duration of their studies.

Please see our information for

• degree-seeking students
• guest students

Please note that the International Office of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena does not accept any foreign, private travel insurance or emergency cover as student insurance. Although these are often necessary to apply for a visa in your home country and are also useful for your arrival and departure, they are not sufficient forms of full, proper health insurance. If you have any questions, please contact the International StudentsExternal link department of the International Office.

Other types of insurance

The semester fee includes a premium for accident insurance. In all university buildings, on the way to and from the University, at University’s events, and during sports and leisure activities related to the University students are therefore covered by insurance. We strongly recommend taking out a private liability insurance for your personal life after arriving which will cover costs of damages to other persons's belongings.

Further information about the German health care systempdf, 3 mb · de

Everyone has to pay a monthly fee for German public radio and television. You even have to pay the fee if you do not own a radio or television or if you never listen to a public radio or watch a German television. There are only a few exceptions, e.g. those who receive a grant under the German Federal Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz, BaföG).

Those living in a shared flat (including in halls of residence) can split the fee with their flatmates. Register as soon as you arrive in Germany. You can find more information on registering under licence feeExternal link.

The International Office invites you to the Intercultural Café and workshops which give you the opportunity to network and get some tips. Find out more about free time events and opportunities here .