Positive outcome of the main residence campaign

The city of Jena's main residence campaign 2025 is generally positive. Under the motto "Stay4ever", the city targeted students, trainees and young adults in the fall to encourage them to choose Jena not just as a place to study or train, but as a permanent place to live.

During the campaign period, 1,489 people between the ages of 18 and 30 registered their main place of residence in Jena. A further 552 people opted for a secondary residence. The main residence rate was therefore 73 percent. In view of the fact that student numbers have been falling for years - particularly at Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Ernst Abbe University - this result can be regarded as stable and positive.

Targeted approach to young adults

The aim of the campaign was to make the advantages of registering as a main resident visible and to promote stronger ties to the city of Jena at an early stage. A central component of the campaign remained the training bonus of 120 euros, which students, trainees and school pupils of legal age can receive when registering their main residence.

The campaign was once again creatively implemented in cooperation with the student marketing agency Zwanziger e.V. The motto "Stay4ever" was taken up creatively through a computer game and pixel art aesthetic, which was based on current trends of the young target group and at the same time conveyed that Jena is more than just a temporary place to study or train.

Mann steht in einem Innenraum und lächelt

Benjamin Koppe - Bürgermeister und Dezernent für Finanzen, Sicherheit & Bürgerservice

Digital residence registration possible for the first time

For the first time this year, main residence registrations could also be made completely electronically as part of the campaign. A total of 230 residence registrations were made digitally during the campaign period, mainly from the 18 to 30 age group. In relation to the total of around 2,450 residence registrations, this corresponds to a share of just under ten percent; within the target group, this figure is even around 15 percent.

"The digital residence registration was already very well received in the first year. This simplifies the entire registration process and appeals to a young target group that expects flexible and digital solutions," says Benjamin Koppe, Mayor and Head of Finance, Security and Citizen Services.

Added value for the city and urban society

Despite the decline in student numbers, the results achieved remain of great importance for the city, which Koppe classifies as follows: "This year's results show that we are continuing to reach young people, even though the starting point has changed. It is important for us to create attractive conditions with modern services, clear incentives and a suitable approach."

Koppe also emphasizes the financial relevance: "Main residence registrations are a key factor in the municipal financial equalization for the city of Jena: with every additional resident, the annual allocations from the state increase by a total of 1,672 euros per resident, thus sustainably strengthening the municipal budget. The total sum is divided into 1,077 euros in key allocations for municipal tasks, 378 euros in key allocations for district tasks and 217 euros in additional burden compensation for tasks within the transferred sphere of influence."

Important contribution to stabilizing population development

At the end of November 2025, 107,879 people lived in Jena - again slightly fewer than in the previous year. Against this backdrop, the main residence campaign remains an important component in actively tackling the demographic challenges and continuing to attract young adults in particular to Jena.