Thuringia

Jena

Jena is a compact science and optics city in central Germany, home to Zeiss, with one of the most affordable costs of living among major student cities.

Arriving in Jena: 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 €400/month for a WG room, though see the caveat on that figure below.

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

Student friendly

9/10

Transport

7/10

Safety

8/10

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	€400
Studio	€620
1-bedroom	€820

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

Universities

Friedrich Schiller University Jena

EAH Jena

Frequently asked questions

What universities are in Jena?

Jena is home to: Friedrich Schiller University Jena, EAH Jena.

Which German state is Jena in?

Jena is located in Thuringia, Germany.

How long do I have to register my address in Jena, 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 Jena, 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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