Information for foreign students

The Goethe- and Universitytown Ilmenau is the biggest city in the Ilm-Kreis. It`s a town with a nice historic old town sorrounded by woods and green hills.

Mayor of Ilmenau is Dr. Daniel Schultheiß. Mayoress is Beate Misch.


Ilmenau has currently 38.917 inhabitants (as of May 2023) in sixteen districs and the core city.

Foto Oberbürgermeister und Bürgermeisterin

important administrative matters

registration office

Am Markt 7
98693 Ilmenau

+49 3677 600-103

apply for Bafög

Landratsamt Ilm-Kreis (district office)
Max-Planck-Ring 9
98693 Ilmenau

+49 3677 693811

apply for housing allowance

Bahnhofstraße 7
98693 Ilmenau

+49 3677 600 107

What to do in Ilmenau?

Schwimmhalle Innen

sports and leisure

  • toboggan run
  • ice pavilion
  • indoor / outdoor swimming pool
  • different fitness centers
  • hiking and bicycle trails (local mountains)
  • cinema
  • ice cream parlors, restaurants and bars
  • miniature golf, petting zoo
  • lakes and dams
Goethe auf Bank

Goethe in Ilmenau

The famous german poet Goethe visited Ilmenau many times. He celebrated his last birthday in Ilmenau (82 years). In 1780/82 it was Goethes task to reform the Ilmenau tax system. Some of his works are Faust, Die Leiden des jungen Werthers, Erlkönig and Prometheus.