North Rhine-Westphalia

Dortmund

Dortmund is a former industrial city in the Ruhr that reinvented itself around technology and logistics, offering some of the lowest rents of any large German city.

Arriving in Dortmund: you must register your address (Anmeldung) at the local Meldebehörde within two weeks of moving in — that is a legal deadline under § 17 Bundesmeldegesetz, not a guideline, and missing it carries a fine of up to €1,000. Budget roughly €420/month for a WG room, though see the caveat on that figure below.

Deadline and fine: § 17 BMG, § 54 Abs. 3 BMG.

Student friendly

8/10

Transport

8/10

Safety

7/10

FirstWeek editorial rating — our own read, not a measured statistic. Not derived from official data. How we handle data

Rent, roughly

Room type	Avg monthly rent
WG room	€420
Studio	€640
1-bedroom	€850

Not independently sourced — treat as a rough indication only. How we handle data

Universities

TU Dortmund University

Dortmund University of Applied Sciences

Frequently asked questions

What universities are in Dortmund?

Dortmund is home to: TU Dortmund University, Dortmund University of Applied Sciences.

Which German state is Dortmund in?

Dortmund is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

How long do I have to register my address in Dortmund, Germany?

Two weeks. § 17 of the Bundesmeldegesetz requires anyone moving into a residence in Germany to register with the local Meldebehörde within two weeks of moving in. The clock starts on your move-in date, not your arrival in the country.

What is the fine for registering your address late in Dortmund, Germany?

Up to €1,000. Late or missing registration is an Ordnungswidrigkeit under § 54 Abs. 3 of the Bundesmeldegesetz, carrying a fine of up to €1,000. In practice many offices issue a warning or a much smaller amount for a first, briefly late registration — but the legal ceiling is €1,000.

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