What Is the Actual Price of Living in Germany as a Student?
Going to Germany as a student is not going to empty your bank account so long as you have the right techniques and resources. These will ensure you stay living in Germany comfortably without going over your budget.
A student living in Germany on average will spend pretty much somewhere between 850 euros and 1200 euros. However, intelligent and well-strategised students will be able to spend as low as 700 and still live comfortably.
Germany's relatively lower living costs means its students get better value for their money regarding services rendered, partnering available resources for optimal utilisation, and educational packages within the country. It's a matter of understanding the respective domains.
Analysed Expenses on a Monthly Basis
Here is what I would consider the essential costs:
- Rent: Between €350 and €600, depending on the city and type of accommodation
- Monthly diet and groceries: Between €150 and €250
- Health Insurance (compulsory): Between €110 and €120
- Public Transport: Between €60 and €100
- Books and other studying materials: Between €30 and €50
- Other personal budgets: Between €100 and €150
In relation to other cities, Munich and Hamburg require about 20-30% more. Smaller university towns, such as Gottingen and Greifswald, are usually about 15-25% less expensive.
The Step-by-Step Complete Budget Compilation
Step 1: Identify Income Sources
Before creating your budget, identify all income streams, including:
Primary Sources:
- Family support or personal savings
- Part-time jobs (max 20 hours/week for international students)
- Grants and scholarships
- Student loans
Potential Hidden Income:
- Tutoring students (15€ to 25€/h)
- On-campus jobs (libraries, cafeteria, etc.)
- Research assistant positions
- Freelance work related to your field
Step 2: Apply 50/30/20 German Student Rule
This is how the German student life budgeting variant goes:
50% - Basic Needs:
- Rent and bills
- Primary insurance
- Food essentials
- Transport
30% - Student Life:
- Casual dining
- Leisure and socialising
- Shops for non-necessary items
- Short trips during the weekend
20% - Savings and Emergency Fund:
- Reserve fund of €500-€800 for emergencies
- Anticipated spending for semester fees, travel home, etc
- Expense for career development
Step 3: Decide on a Bank and Tracking Method
Banks suitable for students:
- Deutsche: Free student accounts with benefits of international transfers
- Commerz: No monthly fees for students younger than 27
- N26: Good digital banking and expense tracking
- DKB: No fees for withdrawals anywhere in the world
Ways to Track Budget:
- YNAB (You Need A Budget) -- free for students
- Mint (or "Finanzblick" in Germany)
- Basic spreadsheets
- Bank app auto categorisation
"The biggest mistake I see international students make is not budgeting for irregular expenses. Set aside €50-€100 monthly for unexpected costs like medical appointments, document renewals, or emergency travel."
Accommodation Strategy
University Housing
Application Process:
- Apply Early: Submit 6-12 months before the semester starts
- Apply Multiple Times: Apply to a number of Student administration
- Documents Needed: Acceptance letter, proof of income, passport copy
- Waiting Lists: Join various waiting lists
Cost Benefits:
- Monthly fee of €250-€400 (with utilities)
- Frequently comes with furniture
- Strong international community
- Central locations near campus
Private Housing Alternatives
WG - Shared Apartments:
- €300 - €500
- Utilities and internet are shared
- Cultural immersion opportunity
- Use WG-Gesucht.de and StudentenWG.de
Studio Apartments:
- €400 - €700
- Total independence
- High utility costs
- Check Immobilienscout24.de and local social media
Money Saving Ideas:
- Negotiate shorter-term leases so you don't have to pay in the summer whilst home
- Sublet your room during long breaks
- Choose locations with good public transport connections
- Consider house-sitting during semester breaks
Food and Grocery Tips
Strategic Grocery Shopping
Budget-friendly Supermarket Hierarchy:
- Aldi and Lidl: Basic items with 30-40% savings
- Netto & Penny: Reasonable mid-tier alternatives
- REWE & Edeka: Higher quality, shop only during specials
- Organic Options: Affordable organic essentials available at Dm and Rossmann
Weekly Shopping Strategy:
- Monday Shopping: Most significant deals available for perishables
- Evening Deals: 50% discount on items slightly past expiration date which are still safe to eat
- Bulk Buying: Non-perishables bought during promotional periods
- Seasonal Focus: Local produce available during the respective season
Campus Dining Optimisation
Mensa (University Cafeteria) Benefits:
- Complete meals available for €2.50-€4.50
- Options are well-balanced nutritionally
- Many different locations around campus
- Discounted meals only available with a student ID
Advanced Mensa Strategies:
- Daily menus and prices available on Mensa app
- During rush periods, choose larger portions
- Late afternoon pricing can offer significant savings
- Additional savings can be made on meal plans
Cooking and Meal Prep
Essential Kitchen Setup (Budget: €100-€150):
- Cookware can be bought at Ikea or other inexpensive vendors
- Hands-off meals can be cooked in a slow cooker
- A decent knife with a matching cutting board
- Meal prep storage containers for easy access
Budget Meal Planning:
- Batch Cooking Sundays: Complete 4-5 meals in one session
- Ingredient Overlapping: Several meals can be made with the same base
- Seasonal Menus: Plan around fruits and vegetables in season
- International Students Advantage: Teach cooking skills in exchange for meals
Transportation: Move Efficiently Around Germany
Public Transportation Improvements
Semester Ticket Benefits:
- Frequently integrated into tuition fees (€150-€300 per semester)
- Useful for short-range and local travel
- Some offer full and even interstate coverage
- Look up range of coverage for your university
Alternative Transportation:
- Bicycles: Can be bought second-hand for €50-€150 (€0 daily travel cost)
- Car Sharing: Stadtmobil and Car2Go for occasional use
- Ride Sharing: BlaBlaCar for long distance travel
- Student Train Discounts: Deutsche Bahn discounts through BahnCard
Travel Hacking for Students
Budget Travel Tips:
- FlixBus: Intra-country travel from €5-€25
- Youth Hostels: €15-€25 per night with HI membership
- Eurail Student Pass: Travel around Europe during breaks for a reasonable price
- Group Travel: Organised trips with other students for promotional group pricing
Income Generation: Increase Your Earning Potential
Work Opportunities and Restrictions
Legal Framework for International Students:
- 20 hours per week during the semester
- Unlimited hours during semester breaks (120 full days per year)
- No restrictions on 'mini' jobs which pay up to €520 per month
- Work permit is included in the student visa
Highest Paid Jobs for Students:
- Private Tutoring: €15-€30 per hour (any subject)
- Research Assistant: €10-€15 per hour (in alignment with their course)
- Campus Tours: €12-€18 per hour (specifically for foreign students)
- Translation Services: €20-€40 per hour (for native speakers)
- IT Support: €15-€25 per hour
Available Scholarships and Grants
Major Scholarship Programmes:
- DAAD Scholarships: Different programmes catered to international students
- Deutschlandstipendium: €300/month merit-based support
- University-Specific Scholarships: Visit the financial aid office of your institution
- Country-Specific Programmes: Investigate bilateral programmes
Application Methodology:
- Begin the application process 12-18 months early
- Every application must meet the specific criteria for the particular programme
- Achieve and sustain good grades
- Participate in extracurricular activities
Conclusion
Learning to manage a student budget in Germany is not about being financially reckless---it's about the effective decisions you make that are supportive of your budgetary goals. The proven strategies discussed have enabled countless other international students, just like yourself, to not only survive but prosper financially during their time in Germany.
Never forget that budgeting is a skill you learn with time. Start with the spending plan, analyse your spending, identify the absolutely crucial expenditures, and then stick to the budget to the best of your ability.
Financial literacy and budgeting is a skill set you will find very useful during your student days and even more useful should you decide to either pursue a career in Germany or take the learnt habits to your native country.
Your time in Germany should be geared more towards your academic advancement, appreciation of the culture, and personal improvement. However, with these financial tools you are well positioned to enjoy your time there without stressing about money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much should I budget for my first month in Germany?
A: Plan for €1,500-€2,000 for your first month, including security deposits and initial setup costs. This decreases to €700-€900 monthly afterwards.
Q: Can I really live comfortably on €700-€900 per month?
A: Yes, with proper planning and smart choices, students regularly live well on this budget, especially in smaller cities.
Q: What's the biggest budgeting mistake international students make?
A: Not budgeting for irregular expenses like semester fees, visa renewals, and emergency travel home.
Student Testimonials
"I managed to save close to €200 off my budget by moving to a WG that was a little far from campus but had great public transport. The train trips are a great way to get studying done, and I made German friends that assisted me in mastering the language." --- Ahmed Hassan, Engineering Masters Student, Technical University of Berlin
"I stopped spending €300 on takeaways and cooked more, and I was shocked to find that I was actually saving money. I saved €120 and ate much healthier than I did before. I learned the absolute importance of meal planning on Sundays." --- Maria Santos, Biology PhD Student, University of Heidelberg
