Discover the living cost in Germany for international students

You want to be able to live affordably as a student. This guide will help you budget your student life in Germany!

Ellie

5 minute read

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Updated on 5 Aug 2024

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Studying

Given the low cost of attending university in Germany, it’s no wonder that thousands of international students choose to study in Germany each year. Before you kick off your studies, you’ll need to know what the average cost of living in Germany for international students is.

Simply put, €1,226 per month is the average living cost in Germany for international students.

^ Depending on your university, however, most public universities will provide a public transport pass.

You probably already know that tuition fees for undergraduates at public universities in Germany are free. You’ll even find that most Master's degrees offered in German public universities are free or incredibly affordable. So tuition fees don’t need to factor into your monthly costs! However, most universities will still require a semester fee that costs between €250 to €300 per semester. Thankfully, your semester fee covers your education and public transportation costs, so it’s certainly worthwhile.

The cost of your student accommodation in Germany will vary according to several factors.

1. The type of accommodation

If you decide to live in a student dorm, you can expect to pay cheaper rent. Your monthly rent in a student dorm will usually cost between €350 to €500 per month.

It'll cost a little more if you choose to live in a WG (Wohngemeinschaft) or flatshare. A room in a WG will cost €500 to €600 per month.

If you decide to live in a 1-bedroom apartment, adjust your expectations accordingly. The average rent for a studio is €957 per month.

2. The city you study in

The costs of rent previously mentioned are considered a national average. When we zoom into particular cities, the prices change a lot.

For student dorms, you should expect a higher cost of about €500 per month in expensive cities like Munich.

For WG in cities like Munich, the price shoots up to about €850 per month.

For a 1-bedroom apartment, you can expect to pay €1,770 or more per month in cities like Munich. This is before utilities.

3. The type of rent you pay

In Germany, you’ll either pay “warm rent”, which means your utilities are included in your rent, or “cold rent”, which means they aren’t included.

You’ll pay “warm rent” for most student accommodations, so you don’t need to budget extra for your utilities. If you choose “cold rent”, your prices will vary depending on the accommodation type.

• For student dorms, the average cost of utilities is about €35 per month.
• For WG, the average cost of utilities is about €55 per month.
• For a studio, the average cost of utilities shoots up to €255 per month, as it’s no longer divided amongst housemates.

While the average rent in Germany for students is relatively low at about €570 per month, you’ll get the best value if you take the time to look for your accommodation before even arriving in Germany.

Book your accommodation before arriving

While it may seem more straightforward to book accommodation once you arrive in Germany, it’s not quite as simple as it may seem. Student dorms often have a 12-18 month waitlist, and WGs fill quickly. You’ll have a better chance of securing a place before you arrive by using a reputable rental company like HousingAnywhere. HousingAnywhere has plenty of WGs and apartments across the country. You can book your accommodation with complete peace of mind, knowing you’ve paid securely. Once you arrive in Germany, you can settle into your new home right away.

Avoid using sources like Facebook to find a place to live, as often there’re scams and your money isn’t protected once you’ve paid.

Having health insurance in Germany is mandatory, so be sure to arrange this as soon as you get there. For students under 23, public health insurance costs around €123 per month. For students between 25 and 30 years old, public health insurance costs €128 per month.

For students over 30 years old, it gets a little more complicated. At this age, you can choose between private and public health insurance. Most international students over 30 will opt for private health insurance as it’s more affordable, costing between €80 to €120 per month. However, this insurance usually won’t cover check-ups, appointments and deductibles. If you’re over 30 and plan to study in Germany, looking into a health insurance plan that best suits your circumstances is best.

Most German universities will provide a ‘Semesterticket’ once you pay your semester fees. However, some will just provide a discount for this ticket. It’s wise to check this as it varies from region to region and university to university. Without this ticket, you could pay €70 per month for your monthly pass, so be sure to get your Semesterticket ASAP!

You’ll probably spend about €200 per month on groceries and the odd takeout meal. Most university campuses will offer student discounts in their canteens, bars and cafés. If you prefer to cook at home, groceries are very affordable in stores like Lidl and Aldi, and they often have discounts on essentials. Even if you decide to treat yourself after a night of partying, an authentic German kebab will set you back just €5! In general, food and groceries in Germany are quite affordable.

An essential part of student life is the nightlife! Between nightlife and leisure, you should expect to pay about €220 per month. Depending on where you study, going out can be affordable in Germany. Where you can expect to spend most is on entry to nightclubs. Entry can cost between €10 to €25, depending on the club or event. Cloakrooms usually cost about €4 per item.

In terms of leisure, your monthly gym membership will cost about €33. Cinema tickets are usually about €12. For both of these, you may be eligible for student discounts, so be sure to ask!

Living abroad doesn’t mean you have to pay crazy fees to call home! The best option for international students in terms of German SIM cards is to buy a prepaid SIM card. For this, you can expect to pay between €7.50 to €15 per month. Most students will choose Aldi Talk or Lidl Connect as they offer the best packages for an affordable price.

However, you can also opt for a monthly contract SIM (€20 to €40 per month) or postpaid SIM (€10 to €14 per month). Have a look at your different SIM card options before choosing the plan that suits you best.

There’re plenty of ways to save (or make) some extra money as an international student in Germany. Here’re some of our favourites;

1. Use your student card! Many shops, cinemas, fitness centres and even restaurants will offer student discounts when you show your student card. Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount as often as possible.
2. Get a part-time job (or a mini job). International students can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days a year. You can earn up to €450 a month before you have to pay tax.
3. Apply for scholarships. There’re plenty of scholarships available to international students in Germany. It’s worthwhile to check if you qualify!
4. Look for a place to live outside the city centre. Don’t be afraid to use your free public transport ticket; it can help you save on rent. Prices for WGs and apartments are often cheaper once you venture a bit outside the city centre.

Now that you know what you’ll need to budget for your German studies, it’s time to start searching for student accommodation in Germany!

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