Second home tax in Göttingen: Students have to dig deeper into their pockets!

Second home tax in Göttingen: Students have to dig deeper into their pockets!

Göttingen.The city of Göttingen is facing a financial crisis! In order to combat the annual losses of around 50 million euros, a radical budget security concept was presented. The big upset? The introduction of a second home tax, which could hit students especially hard! From 2026 onwards, around two million euros should flow into the city treasury. The discussion is simmering on the central campus!

Some students are understanding of the plans. "I can understand it. The city needs the money," says Annalisa Markgraf, who herself knows the difficulties that registering a secondary residence can bring. Ben also sees the matter pragmatically: "It's only fair. Many people enjoy the advantages that the city offers." But not everyone is thrilled! Student Sina finds the tax “very lacking in solidarity” for a city that prides itself as a student city. Your fellow student Ferdinand remembers the high costs he had to bear during his studies in Osnabrück - over 200 euros per year!

Second home tax in Göttingen: Further costs for students

Exactly how high the tax will be remains unclear. However, the city is based on other cities: in Hanover the tax is ten percent of the net rent, in Kassel it is eight percent. In 2023, 13,147 people had their secondary residence in Göttingen, many of them students who only live here temporarily. Kayah is also skeptical: “The city knows that it primarily affects students.” Jan, on the other hand, takes the situation calmly: “I think the new tax is unpleasant, but I won’t be here anymore until 2026.” The discussion about the second home tax will continue to shape the Göttingen student landscape!