Pfand: bottles are money
Bottles and cans with a deposit logo carry a small deposit. Return them to the machine in any supermarket and get a voucher.
Hidden rules
The everyday rules that cost students money
Nobody tells you these at orientation. Each one has cost GJU students real money: a torrent letter, a landlord warning, a fine on the tram. Read this before you move in.
Strict warning
Never download or stream films, series or music illegally
Hundreds to thousands of euros per file
typical warning-letter claim
- Torrent programs share (upload) while they download. In Germany that counts as distributing copyrighted material.
- Law firms track IP addresses and send a warning letter (Abmahnung) to whoever owns the internet contract. In a WG or dorm, that can be you.
- The letter demands a signed cease-and-desist declaration and a payment, which can reach hundreds or thousands of euros for a single film or album. Ignoring it can lead to court.
- Letters can arrive weeks or months later, even after you have moved.
If you get a warning letter (Abmahnung)
- 1. Do not ignore it, and do not pay or sign straight away. Deadlines are short.
- 2. Go to a consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) or a lawyer. Many universities offer students free legal advice through the student council (AStA/StuRa).
- 3. A modified cease-and-desist declaration (modifizierte Unterlassungserklärung) prepared by a lawyer often reduces the cost.
Watch and listen legally
- Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and others (often with student or shared plans)
- ARD and ZDF Mediathek: free German TV, films and documentaries
- Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music student plans
- Your university library: free films, e-books and streaming databases
Mülltrennung
Sorting your rubbish
Germany sorts waste into five streams. Bin colours can vary slightly by city; the sticker on the lid always tells you. Tap a bin.
Papier / Altpapier: yes
Blue bin
- Newspapers, magazines, flyers
- Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- Paper bags, envelopes
- Egg cartons
Not in this bin
- Pizza boxes with grease
- Used tissues and kitchen paper
- Receipts (thermal paper)
- Coated drink cartons (yellow)
Batteries & electronics
Free collection boxes in supermarkets and drugstores (batteries), electronics stores and municipal recycling centres (Wertstoffhof).
Big items (Sperrmüll)
Furniture is collected on request, often free once or twice a year. Book it with your city's waste service; never leave it on the street.
Why landlords care
Wrongly sorted bins can be refused or charged extra, and the cost is split across the house. Neighbours notice, and repeated problems can lead to warnings.
Ruhezeit
Quiet hours
German buildings take quiet time seriously. Your house rules (Hausordnung) are part of your rental contract, so read them.
Night rest Midday (house rules)
Night rest
22:00 – 06:00
Every night. Some house rules say until 07:00.
Sundays & public holidays
All day
No drilling, hammering, loud music, lawn mowing or bottle-bank visits.
Midday rest
13:00 – 15:00
Not law everywhere, but common in house rules (Hausordnung). Check yours.
Avoid during quiet hours
- Washing machines and dryers at night or on Sundays (in many buildings)
- Loud music, parties or phone calls on the balcony after 22:00
- Showering or bathing late at night, if your house rules forbid it
- Drilling and furniture assembly on Sundays
- Throwing glass into bottle banks on Sundays and after 20:00
What happens if you ignore it? Neighbours usually complain to the landlord first. Repeated noise can lead to warnings, and in serious cases a substantial fine under the Ordnungswidrigkeitengesetz, or the end of your lease. Planning a party? Put a friendly note in the stairwell a few days before.
Other fines
Small mistakes, real costs
Riding without a ticket
€60
Carry your semester ticket and student ID or passport. Forgot it? Show your personal ticket to the transport company within a week and the fine drops to €7.
Late address registration
Up to €1,000
Register (Anmeldung) within the legal deadline after moving in, and de-register when you leave Germany.
Cycling through a red light
€60
Bikes follow traffic law: €100 if the light was red for more than a second, plus a point in Flensburg.
Phone in hand while cycling
€55
Use a phone mount.
Cycling on the pavement
€55
Use the bike lane or the road. Only children may ride on pavements.
No lights on your bike
€20
Front and rear lights are required after dark.
E-scooter after drinking
Like a car
The same alcohol limits as for drivers apply, plus driving bans.
Crossing on a red pedestrian light
€5
Small fine, but people will stare, especially near children.
Not airing your room (Lüften)
Your deposit
Open windows wide for 5–10 minutes a few times a day, even in winter. Mould damage is deducted from your deposit.
Ignoring the broadcast fee
Back payments
The monthly Rundfunkbeitrag per flat is mandatory. Unpaid months are collected later with fees.
Fines are the standard amounts in the German fine catalogue (Bußgeldkatalog) and transport rules; they are higher if you endanger someone or cause damage. Prices are subject to change.