Application for exemption from Semesterticket

Table of Contents

  1. What is an exemption from the semester ticket?
  2. Who can apply for exemption?
  3. What deadlines do I have to adhere to? Which documents do I have to submit for the application?
  4. Application Form
  5. FAQ

What is an exemption from the semester ticket?

Certain students are eligible to be exempted from paying the semesterticket. If you are eligible, you can file an application for exemption with us. If the application is approved, you will get the money for the semesterticket back. The ticket will also be invalidated. In general: You still have to pay for the ticket in advance and can only get your money back afterwards. 

 

Who can apply for exemption?

You can apply for exemption if you,

  • study outside of germany for at least 3 months of the relevant semester (e.g. internship, practical semester, as part of your final thesis or general semester abroad).

  • are on leave of absence.

  • can’t use public transport due to a disability or medical reasons.

  • have a pass for severely disabled person with a token.

  • were late enrolled.

  • study at two universities and receive a semesterticket from the other university.

  • withdraw your matriculation.

 

Other reasons:

  • If you are exmatriculated you do not have to file an application with us! The student records and registration office will automatically forward all exmatriculations to us.

 

What deadlines do I have to adhere to? Which documents do I have to submit for the application?

For all exemptions: 

You can only get refunded for future months. So if you apply for an exemption in December, you only get money for the months january through march (As long as the general deadline for your exemption reason is not sooner already!).

Reason for applicationDeadlineDocuments
Studying abroad8.11. (WS24/25)
  • Completely filled and signed application form
  • payment receipt of the respective semester, which you can find in the selfservice of the Zedat Portal (Important: not the certificate of enrollment)
  • Proof of study outside of germany with start- and end-date, e.g. certificate from your university or erasmus bureau, copy of internship contract or similar.
Leave of absence8.11. (WS24/25) or 4 weeks after taking leave of absence
  • Completely filled and signed application form
  • payment receipt of the respective semester, which you can find in the selfservice of the Zedat Portal (Important: not the certificate of enrollment)
  • certificate of enrollment at FU with the note „on leave of absence“
disability15.3. (WS24/25)
  • Completely filled and signed application form
  • payment receipt of the respective semester, which you can find in the selfservice of the Zedat Portal (Important: not the certificate of enrollment)
  • doctors certificate, which states that public transport can not be used OR copy of supplementary sheet to the disabled person’s pass.
Late matriculation15.3. (WS24/25)
  • Completely filled and signed application form
  • payment receipt of the respective semester, which you can find in the selfservice of the Zedat Portal (Important: not the certificate of enrollment)
  • FU Berlin certificate of enrollment with date of enrollment
Matriculation at multiple universities8.11. (WS24/25)
  • Completely filled and signed application form
  • payment receipt of the respective semester, which you can find in the selfservice of the Zedat Portal (Important: not the certificate of enrollment)
  • FU Berlin certificate of enrollment
  • Copy of the ticket of the other university in the Deutschlandticket-area
Matriculation retracted15.3. (WS24/25)
  • Completely filled and signed application form
  • payment receipt of the respective semester, which you can find in the selfservice of the Zedat Portal (Important: not the certificate of enrollment)
  • Confirmation about retraction of matriculation from the Student Records and Registration Office

 

Application Form

Download application form as PDF

The signed application can be sent to us by e-mail or mail. See contacts.

 

FAQ

  • None of the exemption reasons applies to me, can i be exempted anyways? 

    No, you can only be exempted, if one of the exemption reasons applies to you. Who can be exempted is decided by the VBB and is contractually regulated. We do not have any room for maneuver.  
    If you do not have much money you can apply for a grant and get your money back that way.

  • Can i be exempted before paying the semester fees? 

    No, you can only be exempted after paying the whole fee and getyour money back afterwards if your application is sucessful.

  • When can i expect my refund?

    You will receive a notification from us after your semester ticket has been devalidated. As we have fixed cycles of processing steps, this can take up to two weeks after you have visited us or sent your ticket. After receiving the notification, it can take up to six weeks for the money to arrive in your account. This can take so long because we only initiate the transfers - they are then made by the Studentenwerk, which is also the sender on your bank statement. So it's all a bit bureaucratic and complicated. Shortly before the beginning/end of the semester, it can also take longer, as we always have a lot to do then.