Cashless payment in the canteen with your student ID or Emeal
In the cafeterias and canteens of Studentenwerk Dresden, cashless payment with your student ID card or the MensaCard Emeal is the preferred payment method.
For students at most universities, the canteen payment function is already integrated into the student ID card. All other canteen guests have the option of purchasing a MensaCard Emeal.
Your user status is recorded on the Emeal or ID card. At the checkout, you are automatically assigned to one of four user groups: student, staff, pupil, or guest, and the corresponding price is deducted from your credit balance.
The canteen payment function is already integrated into the student ID card at the following universities:
The delivery of the student ID card after enrollment varies from university to university. You can find the relevant information on the university websites. After receiving the ID card, you can use it directly in the canteens and cafeterias. To do this, you must first top up your credit balance.
All cafeteria guests whose ID card does not have the payment function integrated, can purchase an "Emeal" chip card. They will receive the student Emeal card upon payment of a deposit of €5.00 and upon presentation of their Emeal certificate or student ID card (with expiration date) as well as their identity card or passport at the cash register. The same procedure applies for renewals (at the beginning of each semester), however, the deposit is waived.
For the winter semester, the expiration date is April 30 of the following year, and for the summer semester, October 31 of the same year. This includes a one-month transition period in each case. We do not store any personal data related to the Emeal in our system (except for contracted schools).
Therefore, it is important that you note down the 17-digit serial number of your Emeal and keep it in a safe place in order to be able to react in case of loss.
You can top up your canteen credit balance at all cash registers in all canteens/cafeterias using the following payment methods:
- Girocard or debit card
- Credit cards
- Smartphone and smartwatch payments
Please note: Unfortunately, PayPal is not available for payment.
However, we recommend participating in the Autoload process, which guarantees top-ups without waiting and avoids the hassle of searching for your wallet. With Autoload, your canteen credit balance is topped up via SEPA direct debit from your bank account.
More information on AutoloadThe student ID card (with integrated payment function) or Emeal is placed on the card reader at the checkout. When the amount is debited, all discounts are applied based on group affiliation (students, staff, pupils).
Special feature of self-checkouts: Unlike our regular checkouts, you can also pay directly by card at our self-checkouts. The student ID card (with payment function) or email address must still be scanned so that the user group can be assigned.
Due to its house rules, Studentenwerk Dresden is authorized to check users of the Emeal at any time. Students will be required to present their student ID. Users without valid proof of eligibility will be charged a surcharge equal to the current difference to the staff price.
Emeal can be returned at any cash register. Any remaining credit balance on student ID cards and Emeal (including the deposit) will be immediately refunded in cash or, if Autoload is available, transfered back to your account.
If you lose your Emeal, please report it immediately to a service point or canteen manager, stating the Emeal serial number. They will then block it. You can also contact us using our contact form.
Autoload users can block it themselves in the online portal.
For student ID cards, please contact your university: