Germany is a preferred destination for students and families from almost all parts of the world, owing to its various advantages. Germany offers superior quality of life in tandem with ample job opportunities and interesting traditions and cultural facets. Germany has one of the world’s most well-developed and biggest economies with a stable and well-developed labour market. Germany is one of the most preferred countries for research, innovation and successful professional careers. Add to that its rich history, tourist landmarks, intriguing castles and the beautiful architecture all around. The beautiful German towns aside, there are heritage castles and innumerable landmarks including museums, cultural centres and other buildings which draw thousands from various corners of the planet. However, before zeroing on anything, it is important to delve deeper into the cost of living in Germany.
An interesting fact to remember is that German university students usually stay closer to home while attending their universities and many people live in their parents’ homes. The remainder usually chooses cheaper rentals and apartments. A smaller chunk of students resides in dormitories. The cost of living in Germany for international students is mostly non-prohibitive, particularly when compared to average living costs in Europe.
Being flexible with your budget and location will help you thrive in Germany on a budget. The average cost may hover around 850 Euros as living costs. Costs of clothing, food and cultural activities are just a little more than the average in the EU (European Union). Students in Germany usually spend roughly 850 Euros every month on average as living costs. You will require approximately 10, 300+ Euros annually in living costs and close to 40% of global students will want to find student residences owing to lower costs hovering around 300 EUR per month. Costs can increase to 1300 EUR every month, depending upon lifestyle preferences.
Cost of Living in Germany for Indian Students in 2024
For Indian students, the cost of living in Germany is approximately 10,200-12,000 EUR per year. The cost of living is also determined by the university’s location. Cities like Berlin and Munich, for example, are slightly more expensive if we compare them with the rest of Germany. In addition to low living costs, most universities do not charge tuition fees as they are state-run. Students will, however, be required to pay enrollment and administration fees each semester.
Here is a table summarizing the cost of living in Germany for Indian students in 2024:
Category
Average Monthly Cost (EUR)
Range (EUR)
Accommodation
350-700
250-1000
Food
250-350
200-500
Transportation
80-120
50-150
Health Insurance
80-100
70-120
Textbooks and Supplies
50-80
30-100
Entertainment and Leisure
100-200
50-300
Total
860-1550
650-2150
Additional Notes:
These are average costs and may vary depending on your lifestyle, city, and individual needs.
Some cities, such as Munich and Berlin, are more expensive than others.
You may be able to save money by cooking at home, using public transportation, and taking advantage of student discounts.
It is important to budget carefully and be aware of your spending habits.
Here are some additional tips for saving money in Germany:
Apply for scholarships and grants.
Work part-time.
Take advantage of student discounts.
Cook at home instead of eating out.
Use public transportation instead of taxis or ride-sharing services.
In Germany, the cost of basic foods and beverages is not too expensive. The average cost of some of the necessary items and their costs is listed below:
Items
Cost
White bread (500g)
1.24 €
Milk (1 liter)
0.71 €
Eggs (12)
1.64 €
Rice (1kg, white)
2.03 €
Potato (1kg)
1.06 €
Onion (1kg)
1.09 €
Chicken (1kg)
7.53 €
Tomato (1kg)
2.62 €
Beef (1kg)
11.65 €
Apples (1kg)
2.22 €
Banana (1kg)
1.58 €
Oranges (1kg)
2.29 €
Average Rent in Germany
Accommodation is the most expensive part of living in Germany for international students. As a student, your costs vary depending on the type of housing and region you choose to live in. Munich and Stuttgart are the most costly cities in Germany to live in. Living in Dortmund, on the other hand, can be quite affordable.
In Germany, the average monthly cost of rented accommodation is:
Germany strongly believes that education should not be commercialized, which is why studying at public universities in Germany is free. The German government aspires to provide equitable educational opportunities for all citizens while also ensuring the country’s commercial and economic progress by providing free basic and higher education. Even for overseas students, academic programs are tuition-free, which has contributed significantly to the country’s attractiveness as a study destination. Apart from that, the immigration procedures for international students are relatively straightforward. The average cost of public university programs ranges from ₹12,000 (€147) to ₹130,000 (€1,597) a year.
The average tuition fees for public universities in Germany:
University
Average Tuition Fee
Ludwig Maximilian University
€244/year
Technical University of Munich
€144/year
University of Heidelberg
€364/year
Humboldt University Berlin
€620/year
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
€1500/year
Technical University of Berlin
€308/year
Free University of Berlin
€354/year
RWTH Aachen University
No Tuition Fees for International Students
Private Universities:
Private universities levy tuition fees on both domestic and international students. The average cost of private university programs ranges from ₹1,21,000 (€1,486.99) to ₹28,30,000 (€34,778).
The average tuition fees for Private universities in Germany:
The cost of commuting around the city is included in the cost of living in Germany for students. Traveling across Germany and within Germany’s cities is relatively convenient because the country’s public transportation systems are well-planned and well-connected with trains and buses. As a result, transportation costs have little impact on the cost of living in Germany.
Mode of Transportation
Cost
Bus
€70/month
Train
€19-50/month
Taxi
€3-50 upwards
Cost of Utilities and Bills
Besides housing rent, there will be a need to cover monthly bills for heating, electricity, water, and garbage. In Germany, a person will have to pay 29.42 cents for a kilowatt-hour (CT/kWh). If living with roommates, of course, there will be sharing of these expenses. In some cases, these bills are included in the rent, so there is no need to pay any extras for these utilities.
The below table shows the 10 most affordable cities along with their estimated living costs in Germany for Indian students:
City
Estimated Cost of Living (Monthly in Euros)
Munich
1300-2000
Frankfurt
1150-1800
Hamburg
1100-1750
Berlin
1100-1750
Heidelberg
1100-1700
Cologne
1100-1650
Bonn
1100-1650
Stuttgart
1100-1650
Dusseldorf
1050-1600
Wiesbaden
1050-1550
Cost of living in Munich
Munich has the highest cost of living in Germany for a single person. The average monthly cost hovers around 890 EUR while most of the costs like food prices and cost of amenities remain almost the same across most German cities, what really makes the difference is the rent. Munich has the highest number of listed companies and major universities making it ideal for studies and well-paid work.
Type of cost
Monthly Cost (approx.)
Rent
890 EUR (INR 78,000)
Food
400 EUR (INR 35,000)
Transportation
180 EUR (INR 16,000)
Amenities (electricity, heating, water, garbage)
265 EUR (INR 23,000)
Cost of living in Berlin
Berlin is not only the capital of Germany but also the largest city in the country. While the cost of living in Berlin is lower than in cities like Munich and Frankfurt, it is still higher than most other German cities. The average monthly cost of living in Berlin hovers around 825 EUR.
Type of cost
Monthly Cost (approx.)
Rent
825 EUR (INR 72,000)
Food
355 EUR (INR 31,000)
Transportation
255 EUR (INR 22,000)
Amenities (electricity, heating, water, garbage)
250 EUR (INR 21,800)
Cost of living in Frankfurt
Frankfurt is a centrally located city and is close to many other cities. However, it is one of Germany’s most expensive cities. The average monthly cost of living in Frankfurt hovers around 880 EUR. With an industrial background, it does offer a lot of work opportunities.
Type of cost
Monthly Cost (approx.)
Rent
880 EUR (INR 77,800)
Food
360 EUR (INR 31,500)
Transportation
169 EUR (INR 15,000)
Amenities (electricity, heating, water, garbage)
275 EUR (INR 24,000)
Cost of Living in Germany Compared to other European Countries
The living expenses in Germany are lower than in most other European countries. It doesn’t mean the standard of living but the cost of living. It is influenced by many different aspects like food, transport, living amenities, etc. The following table will help you compare the cost of living in Germany for a single person with that of other popular open countries:
Country
Monthly cost of living (approx.)
Germany
861 EUR (INR 75,000)
France
1,300 EUR (INR 1,13,000)
UK
1,660 EUR (INR 1,45,000)
Switzerland
2,150 EUR (INR 1,88,000)
Denmark
1,580 EUR (INR 1,38,000)
Austria
1,390 EUR (INR 1,21,000)
Sweden
1,300 EUR (INR 1,13,000)
Cost of Living in Germany vs India
Reports suggest that living in Germany is over 200% costlier than living in India, on average. The cost is influenced by various factors like food, transport, rent, cost of amenities, etc. The following table of comparison of some of the basic aspects will shed some light on the cost of living in Germany for Indian students:
Cost type
Germany
India
Cost of living (One person)
861 EUR
365 EUR
Rent (One bedroom apartment)
650 EUR
140 EUR
Food Expenses
350 EUR
145 EUR
Transport Expenses
107 EUR
40 EUR
Internet connection
34 EUR
9.5 EUR
Basic utilities (garbage, water, electricity)
123 EUR
24 EUR
Costs and Types of Health Insurance in Germany for International Students
Health insurance expenditure affects the overall living cost in Germany for students. So, students aged under 30 years and who are admitted to a degree course in a recognized German institution can go for special student discounts for public health insurance. Students aged under 23 years can pay 105.05 EUR and those aged over 23 years can pay 106.93 as a part of their monthly living expenses in Germany. It covers both public healthcare and nursing care.
International students aged over 30 years can go for either public or private health insurance. It is possible to find private plans costing below the public healthcare premiums. It can cost as low as 40 EUR monthly along with a few variable costs.
However, it is ideal for students who have already found jobs to select public health insurance. It is paid in the form of social security contributions of around 14.6% of the gross salary. The overall amount is equally shared between the employer and employee and is capped at 360 EUR a month. The top public health insurance providers in Germany are TK, Barmer, KKH, and AOK.
Monthly public health insurance premiums for students aged below 30 years:
KKH – Kaufmännische Krankenkasse 111.75 EUR
Barmer 108.77 EUR
AOK Baden Württemberg 107.29 EUR
DAK Gesundheit 111.75 EUR
TK – Techniker Krankenkasse 105.80 (103.94 for students aged 22 or below)
Students aged over 30 years, studying in postgraduate or non-graduate programs, and are without a job can opt for private health insurance like EDUCARE24. The premiums start at around 33 EUR and go up to 130 EUR monthly.
Tips to Save Money in Germany
Here are some handy tips for saving money during your time in Germany:
1. Sports –
A gym membership at a neighbouring location is often prohibitively expensive. Finding outdoor sports clubs can help students save money while also meeting new people and staying in shape.
2. Choosing supermarkets wisely –
Numerous supermarkets in Germany sell low-cost grocery items. These places can be preferred over pricey shopping centres. Inquire with locals or native students about farmers’ markets, where fresh produce can be found at reasonable prices. Pay attention to supermarket sales and special offers, and buy in bulk. Students in Germany are entitled to discounts at cafes, restaurants, theatres, libraries, and museums, among other places, if they present their student ID cards.
3. Transportation –
Students should go to their local transportation provider’s website. In most cases, special student fares are significantly less expensive than ordinary fares. The semester ticket is sometimes cited as why students aspire to study in Germany. Bicycling is a common and comfortable way to commute short to medium distances.
4. Share when you can-
It is always cheaper and more fun to share with roommates and friends. This arrangement is common in Germany where it is known as Wohngemeinschaft or WG. Here, flatmates usually join forces to sign their tenancy agreements, thereby saving a whopping EUR 100-200 individually in several scenarios. There are several online portals such as WG-Gesucht and other communities for finding flatmates.
5. Arrange for an additional source of income –
Students can work part-time after college or on weekends to supplement their income. It may or may not be high-paying or relevant to their academics, but it should be able to assist them in earning some extra pocket money that they can either save or use for personal purposes. International students can work up to 120 full days and 240 half-days every year.
Study and Get PR in Germany – Fix a Free Important Resources to Read About Germany:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Germany for international students?
On average, international students will have to spend EUR 588-799 every month on cost of living in Germany.
What is the cost of living in Germany for a family?
The cost of living in Germany for a family will hover between EUR 2497-2747 every month.
What are average food costs in Germany?
Average food costs may be EUR 40-50 per week for staples and EUR 30-40 for a meal at a standard German restaurant.
What is the average rent in Germany?
The average rent in Germany hovers between EUR 739-1030 on average.
Is Germany expensive?
Germany isn’t considered too expensive in comparison with other European countries. However, it is definitely a lot more expensive than in India.
What is the cost of living in Germany ?
On average, international students will have to spend 588-799 EUR every month on the cost of living in Germany.
Is education free in Germany?
The cost of education in Germany is significantly lower than most other study abroad destinations. Almost all public universities/colleges offer free education. However, private universities are quite costly.
How much does it cost to study in Germany?
There are no tuition fees for public universities in Germany apart from some minor administrative charges, etc. However, fees for private institutions can go upwards of 30,000 EUR /year depending on courses.
Is Germany cheap for Students?
Germany is undoubtedly one of the most affordable countries for students. The cost of Studying in Germany is much lower as compared to the cost of studying in the United States or the United Kingdom.
How can I manage my expenses?
Begin with fixed expenses like transportation, books and supplies, bills, and rent, and assign a predetermined amount to each. With the remaining funds, create a separate budget for discretionary items.
Honey Gupta is a leading consultant with over 10 years of experience in helping students navigate the complexities of studying overseas, with a specialized focus on Ireland. Honey brings a wealth of academic knowledge and practical insights into international education and study abroad programs, particularly in addressing the unique opportunities and challenges of studying in Ireland.
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