Germany is ranked the 15th highest in terms of cost of living, making it one of the economical countries for international students. Planning your budget is one of the most important tasks before starting your program. The average cost of living in Germany is around EUR 850 (~74,000 INR) per month or EUR 10,236 (~8.9 lakh INR) per year.
According to German law, every international student willing to study in Germany must demonstrate at least EUR 10,332 in their bank account, to be able to pay for their studies and live for at least the first year. This regulation is predicated on the assumption that an international student spends at least EUR 861 per month. As an international student, the three most critical issues for you are usually housing, food, and travel. The rent for residing in Germany costs the maximum portion of the total expenditure.
Several top universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees, so you won't have to worry about that in Germany. Although private colleges charge tuition fees, the cost of studying in Germany is very affordable when compared to other nations. The benefit of the German cost of living is that, although tuition prices are affordable, you can have a significant impact on it. Food, lodging, bills, clothing, and entertainment expenditures are relatively similar to those in other European countries.
Cost of Living in Germany On-Campus
German universities, unlike those in other European countries, are solely concerned with teaching and research. The majority of German colleges lack a traditional campus and do not provide students with on-campus accommodation; those that do serve only a small percentage of the student body. As a result, students planning to study in Germany need to arrange a house by themselves. The university's Student Union or International Office can help students find housing in the campus town. The International Office is a valuable resource for international student accommodation in Germany.
The cost of living in Studentenwerk Halls of residence are tabulated here:
| Expense Type | Monthly Cost in EUR | Monthly Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | 325 | 28,847 |
| Food | 154 | 13,669 |
| Clothing | 48 | 4,260 |
| Transport | 116 | 10,296 |
| Health | 96 | 1,152 |
| Telephone | 24 | 2,130 |
| Leisure activities | 65 | 780 |
Cost of Living in Germany Off-Campus
Students can choose from a wide variety of housing options in Germany depending upon their choices with each type of housing having its own pros and cons. The most popular types of student accommodations in Germany are student halls of residence and flatshares.
The cost of travel and accommodation in Germany is governed by several factors, including the city where you live, the size of the flat, and the amenities available. Students typically spend between EUR 250 and EUR 750 per month for student housing, though this varies by area. Lodging is relatively expensive in larger cities such as Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main, Freiburg, and Tubingen. Living in a private room costs more than living in a hall of residence or a flatshare.
Berlin is less expensive than other European capitals. The most expensive cost is the rent, which is around 800 EUR per month for a one-bedroom apartment. In other cities, the cost of a one-bedroom apartment is rather modest, with Leipzig being Germany's cheapest city. Dusseldorf is 20% less expensive than Stuttgart, and Leipzig is 40% less expensive than Stuttgart. The average room and house rent in different German cities are as follows:
| City | Average Monthly Rent in EUR | Average Monthly Rent in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Munich | 1,094 | 97,130 |
| Stuttgart | 846 | 75,129 |
| Leipzig | 491 | 5,890 |
| Dusseldorf | 672 | 8,067 |
| Essen | 452 | 5,422 |
| Dortmund | 460 | 5,520 |
| Cologne | 727 | 8,726 |
| Bremen | 560 | 6,720 |
| Aachen | 535 | 6,416 |
| Berlin | 796 | 9,551 |
Cost of Food in Germany
At the moment, a meal for one or two people in a low-cost restaurant costs around EUR 10 to EUR 50. A simple dessert, cappuccino, or beer can get you somewhere between EUR 2.5 to EUR 5. Apart from that, most colleges have their own cafeteria and mensa on campus, offering a range of decent cuisine at an affordable price. However, cooking on your own can save a lot of money. Below are the average costs of some of the basic food products and meals:
| Type of Food | Cost in EUR | Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Meal | EUR 10 | INR 888 |
| Meal for 2 | EUR 50 | INR 4,438 |
| Cappuccino | EUR 2.82 | INR 250 |
| Domestic beer | EUR 3.50 | INR 311 |
| Coke/Pepsi | EUR 2.40 | INR 213 |
| Water bottle | EUR 2.09 | INR 186 |
| Milk (1 litre) | EUR 0.88 | INR 78 |
| White Bread(500 g) | EUR 1.33 | INR 118 |
| Rice(1kg) | EUR 1.93 | INR 171 |
| Eggs(12) | EUR 2.28 | INR 202 |
| Cheese(1kg) | EUR 9.36 | INR 831 |
| Beef(1kg) | EUR 10.45 | INR 928 |
| Chicken(1kg) | EUR 6.91 | INR 613 |
| Fruits(1kg) | EUR 1.95 | INR 173 |
| Potato(1kg) | EUR 1.32 | INR 117 |
| Onion(1kg) | EUR 1.29 | INR 115 |
| Tomato(1kg) | EUR 1.40 | INR 124 |
The average cost of living in Germany per month is tabulated below:
| Expense Type | Monthly Cost in EUR | Monthly Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | EUR 300- EUR 700 | 26 thousand- 62 thousand |
| Utilities | EUR 220 | 19 thousand |
| Travel | EUR 100 | 8.8 thousand |
| Food & Drink | EUR 150- EUR 200 | 13 thousand- 17 thousand |
| Health Insurance | EUR 105 | 9.3 thousand |
| Entertainment | EUR 50- EUR 150 | 4.4 thousand- 13 thousand |
| Miscellaneous | EUR 30 | 2.6 thousand |
Cost of Living in Germany vs Study Abroad Destinations
Germany is one of the most affordable study destinations compared to other countries. The average cost of living in Germany is 28% less expensive than in the United States. The below table shows the comparison between the cost of living in Germany with other countries.
| Countries | Rent in INR | Food in INR | Travel in INR | Utilities in INR | Entertainment in INR | Clothing in INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | INR 66,214 | INR 36,125 | INR 1,10,064 | INR 23,255 | INR 6,213 | INR 26,628 |
| USA | INR 1,07,310 | INR 44,824 | INR 8,467 | INR 14,823 | INR 5,769 | INR 23,077 |
| Canada | INR 85,653 | INR 43,581 | INR 11,095 | INR 14,734 | INR 7,544 | INR 30,178 |
| UK | INR 1,00,653 | INR 40,297 | INR 15,621 | INR 23,255 | INR 7,544 | INR 31,066 |
| Australia | INR 98,434 | INR 43,581 | INR 18,905 | INR 19,261 | INR 5,769 | INR 23,965 |
| France | INR 69,232 | INR 45,445 | INR 9,053 | INR 21,125 | INR 5,325 | INR 26,628 |
The differences in cost of living in Germany compared to other countries are listed in the below table:
| Countries | Cost of Living Compared to Germany |
|---|---|
| USA | +28% |
| Canada | +20% |
| UK | +27% |
| Australia | +14% |
| France | +7% |
Cost of Healthcare in Germany
For international students wishing to study in Germany, health insurance is mandatory. In Germany, there are two types of health insurance programmes available, public and private health insurance. Both are open to students under the age of 30. In addition, students are also eligible for a special discount on public health insurance.
Private plans for overseas students can be found for as little as EUR 70-EUR 80 per month. Students above the age of 30, students enrolled in language and preparation courses, PhD students, and visiting scientists, on the other hand, can only obtain private health insurance.
Basic healthcare, as well as long-term care insurance, are covered by public health insurance, which costs between EUR 103.94 and EUR 111.75 per month. In Germany, private health insurance starts at roughly EUR 33 per month and rises depending on the extra services you choose and if you plan to stay for 18 months or longer.
Cost of Electricity, Internet, & Telecommunication in Germany
Aside from the rent, you'll have to pay for energy, internet, communication, water, garbage, and so on. In comparison to other Eurpoean countries, Germany's power costs are higher, at roughly 29.42 cents per hour. Furthermore, depending on the bundle you choose, monthly internet access in Germany costs between EUR 30 and EUR 40 (~INR 2,644- INR 3,526). In Germany, the average cost of utilities is EUR 226.73 (~INR 19,987).
Cost of Living in Student Cities in Germany
The cost of living in student cities in Germany is quite reasonable compared to other countries. In general, the cost of living in east Germany is cheapest and south Germany is the costliest. Leipzig rents for nearly 40% less than Stuttgart, and Dusseldorf rents for 20% less than Stuttgart, although pricing in Stuttgart and Hamburg, the largest city in the north, are very comparable.
When comparing two cities from opposite directions: south and east, Darmstadt would precisely represent the list of Germany's most costly cities, while Frankfurt would be its opposite (Oder). In Frankfurt (Oder), the cost of living is extremely low with a rent of only EUR 250 (~22,000 INR) per month. In Darmstadt, if you want to live in a city centre flat, the rent can reach EUR 850 (~74,000 INR) per month.
Here’s a table showing the cost of living in different student cities in Germany:
| Expense Type | Munich | Stuttgart | Berlin | Hamburg | Frankfurt | Darmstadt | Leipzig |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent in INR | 1,14,182 | 85,330 | 85,666 | 83927 | 93,460 | 64034 | 52213 |
| Transportation: One-way ticket in INR | 302 | 244 | 266 | 292 | 244 | 221 | 239 |
| Monthly pass in INR | 5,059 | 6,000 | 7,367 | 7,988 | 8,148 | 4,260 | 6,985 |
| Taxi fare in INR | 333 | 266 | 332 | 292 | 310 | 310 | 310 |
| Restaurant Meal in INR | 1,243 | 1,065 | 1,242 | 1,065 | 887 | 887 | 710 |
| Meal for 2 in INR | 5,326 | 5,326 | 5,325 | 4,881 | 5,325 | 3,994 | 4,438 |
| Utility in INR | 23,406 | 21,417 | 22,134 | 20,957 | 24,835 | 15,482 | 21,31 |
| Internet in INR | 2,922 | 2,530 | 3,098 | 2,816 | 3,031 | 2,943 | 2,893 |
| Sports and leisure in INR | 3,463 | 888 | 2,703 | 2,919 | 3,703 | 2,827 | 2,152 |
| Clothing in INR | 11,273 | 9,579 | 9,845 | 11,837 | 10,078 | 11,420 | 6,989 |
Cost of Transportation in Germany
As a student in Germany, you will be travelling extensively throughout the cities, so making an informed decision about mode of transportation will save you both time and money. Public transportation is the cheapest transport option in Germany. However, cycling is the best mode of transportation, especially in congested cities.
Many institutions in Germany provide free travel cards to students as part of their semester costs. If not, students can purchase a BahnCard 50 discounted travel card, which provides a 50% discount on rail and bus travel.
|
City |
Transport Cost in EUR |
Transport Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
|
Munich |
56 |
4,970 |
|
Berlin |
69 |
6,124 |
|
Frankfurt |
76 |
6,746 |
|
Hamburg |
71 |
6,302 |
|
Cologne |
78 |
6,923 |
Tips to Limit Cost of Living in Germany
The location of where you will live in the country has a significant impact on the cost of living. You may save a lot of money by choosing the right spot to reside. Furthermore, by reducing certain extra expenses you may have had at home, such as regular night-outs, you will be able to save even more money.
Although sometimes the location of your university could restrict you to choose an affordable area to live, for example, if your university is located in big cities like Munich, Hamburg or Frankfurt you may find it a bit difficult to save money since lodging in such locations is very high compared to other cities.
In such instances, you can consider living in the city's suburbs, where you can expect lower pricing. Simply ensure that you have access to a dependable tram, bus, or metro to get to both the university campus and the city centre. Few other ways to limit the cost of living in Germany includes:
- Sharing accommodation – living in a shared apartment with other roommates reduces your cost of accommodation compared to renting your own house. Furthermore, because bills will be divided evenly among flatmates, it helps to reduce the overall cost of living. In Germany, you can find a number of shared accommodation in all cities.
- Student Accommodation – In Germany, student housing is the most affordable option. Even in major cities, rent is less than the national average of around $300 per month. In addition to being low-cost options in many locations, the student halls are located extremely close to university campuses.
- Student discounts – In Germany, students receive significant discounts of 10-20% at a variety of establishments, including retail stores, museums, bars, restaurants, movies, and clothing stores. Make sure you always have your university ID card on you.
- Travel Card – Many German institutions include a free travel card to students with Germany student visa as part of the semester cost. You can search for such universities or purchase a BahnCard50 card for a 50% discount on rail and bus travel. This can help you a lot to save on your cost of living.
- Discount Supermarkets – Germany is well known for its discount supermarkets, namely Aldi, Netto, and Lidl. You can find them everywhere around the country in both major cities and small towns. Basic foods, fresh fruit, vegetables, etc are much cheaper at these supermarkets compared to general grocery stores.
You can also hunt for cheap coupons in the newspaper or bulk-buy discounts. When you shop in Germany with your DeutschlandCard, you earn loyalty points. You can save your reward points and apply the value to the cost of your grocery purchase. You’ll also find a variety of other deals that can help you save money on your weekly shopping.
It is important to research the cost of living in Germany before deciding where you will study. These prices differ from one city to the next. Being careful and wise with your money will allow you to keep track of your costs and concentrate on your studies without any financial hardship. Besides, there are numerous scholarship programs that may be able to assist you in funding your studies in Germany.
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