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Cost of Living In Germany Planner 2024
Germany is a popular destination for students and families from practically every country in the globe due to its numerous benefits. In addition to having plenty of work prospects, Germany also has fascinating customs and cultural features. Germany boasts one of the largest and most developed economies in the world, as well as a stable and advanced labor market. One of the top nations for research, innovation, and successful professional careers is Germany. Add to it its fascinating castles, popular tourist attractions, and stunning architecture found everywhere. Besides the lovely German cities, there are many sites, such as museums, cultural centers, and other structures, as well as historic castles that attract visitors from all over the world. Students typically reside closer to home while attending their universities, and many individuals live in their parent’s houses. The rest often selects less expensive flats and rentals. Dormitory living is only used by a tiny portion of students. The cost of living in Germany for students is not costly, when compared to the cost of living in Europe. An important point to know is that at German universities there are two intakes every year: the summer intake and the winter intake, get prepared now for the April intake 2024 of German universities.
1. Expense Breakdown for International Students in Germany:
The cost of living expenses in Germany for Indian students depends upon many factors.
|
Factors |
Expense / Month (in EUR) |
Expenses / Month (in INR) |
|
Rent |
200 - 1,100 |
15,000-38,000 |
|
Food, Restaurant Charges, Groceries, etc. |
50 - 150 |
4,000-12,000 |
|
Transportation/Commute |
30 - 90 |
2,385-7,195 |
|
Shopping |
50 and upwards |
4,000 |
|
Medical Expenses |
70 and upwards |
5,000 |
Please keep in mind that all of the prices in this post are estimations. Costs vary depending on a variety of aspects such as location, colleges, lifestyle, and so on.
As a result, the average monthly price in Germany for students is between €850 and €1,200. This price does not include tuition or any other type of school charge.
2. Monthly Expenses for Students in Germany
The student cost of living in Germany varies depending on where you live, how often you dine out, and so forth. As an international student, you will undoubtedly be enticed to explore the country, food, and so on. You can also withdraw roughly €850 per month from your Germany-restricted account to spend on your first year. Keep in mind that the fees listed above are the primary expenses you will experience every month.
Let's go through each of these in-depth to better understand your spending structure:
2.1. Rent
The main expense of students is living expenses in Germany i.e. the cost of housing. Your expenditures as a student vary based on the type of housing and location you pick. The highest cost of living in Germany is in Munich and Stuttgart. In contrast, life in Dortmund may be rather affordable.
The average monthly cost of living in Germany in rental housing is:
|
German City |
Average Rent in Germany (in EUR) |
|
Aachen |
535 |
|
Augsburg |
613.57 |
|
Berlin |
790 |
|
Bochum |
400 |
|
Bonn |
650 |
|
Cologne |
700- 800 |
|
Dresden |
500 |
|
Frankfurt |
860 - 870 |
|
Hamburg |
800 - 868 |
|
Leipzig |
500 |
|
Mainz |
650 |
|
Munich |
1,000- 1,200 |
|
Stuttgart |
850 |
2.2. Food and Groceries
You will have to manage your meals if you leave your house and move thousands of miles to another nation. Whether you need to cook or go out to eat. However, keep in mind that spending money on lunch in a restaurant regularly would be too expensive for you as a student. As a result, cooking for oneself is the most cost-effective approach to saving money in Germany.
The cost of living in Germany for Indian students is also doable since there are a few Indian businesses nearby where they can buy spices and other ingredients to create traditional Indian food while saving money.
The average Cost of Food and Beverages in Germany is -
|
Item |
Cost (in EUR) |
|
White bread (500g) |
1.24 |
|
Milk (1 liter) |
0.75 |
|
Eggs (12) |
1.64 |
|
Rice (1kg, white) |
2.03 |
|
Potato (1kg) |
1.06 |
|
Onion (1kg) |
1.09 |
|
Tomato (1kg) |
2.62 |
|
Chicken (1kg) |
7.53 |
|
Beef (1kg) |
11.65 |
|
Apples (1kg) |
2.22 |
|
Banana (1kg) |
1.58 |
|
Oranges (1kg) |
2.29 |
2.3. Transportation
The cost of transportation throughout the city is included in the cost of living in Germany for international students. The good news is that traveling around Germany and in German cities is relatively convenient. Students ride bicycles to go around the city. Germany's public transportation system is well-planned and well-connected via trains and buses.
International students benefit from round-trip tickets to Europe, in addition to easy access to affordable transit inside the city. Because of the simple and low-cost transportation networks, many foreign students experience trouble-free travel.
|
Mode of Transportation |
Cost (in EUR) |
|
Bus |
70/per month |
|
Train |
19 - 50 |
|
Taxi |
3.50 Upwards |
2.4. Shopping
As an international student, you will undoubtedly be enthralled by the opportunities accessible to you in Germany. The list goes on, whether it's a fashion parade of stylish outfits, delectable delicacies, or even a pair of branded shoes. Even if you manage to resist the impulse to buy a whole mall, you will still spend more than €100 every month on shopping.
Examining your requirements and desires can help you prioritize your living expenses as a student in Germany. As a result, international students living expenditures in Germany are reduced, and the same amount allows them to cater to much greater demands.
2.5. Health Insurance Charges
Personal health insurance is included in the cost of living in Germany for international students. To get a German student visa, foreign students must have mandated health insurance. It is important to have a health insurance plan in place to protect yourself while studying in Germany.
You can choose between:
|
Public health insurance plan: €70 - €80/month |
|
Private health insurance plan: €400 - €500/month |
2.6. Other Expenses
The usual costs listed above will undoubtedly be part of your monthly expenses in Germany. However, there will be other costs such as phone bills, internet charges, recreational expenses, and so on. This cost is determined by a student's interest and hence varies.
This implies that if you are a voracious reader, you will spend a lot of money on books. If you are a player, you will be interested in purchasing the most recent gaming equipment in Germany.
3. Total Cost of Living for Students in Germany
The cost of living in Germany for students depends on the type of accommodation, lifestyle, and means of transportation they choose. If you choose a luxury lifestyle, such as living in an expensive location like Munich and frequently shopping and dining out, your monthly spending in Germany would increase. In contrast, if you control your spending and spend wisely, you may live comfortably in Germany.
Take, for example, the cost of living in Germany for Indian students:
- Admitted to a German university
- Accommodation
- Public transportation
|
Factor |
Expense (in EUR) |
Expenses (in INR) |
|
Rent |
900 |
70,000 |
|
Food, Restaurant Charges and more |
150 |
12,000 |
|
Transportation |
70 |
5,565 |
|
Shopping |
100 |
8,000 |
|
Medical expenses |
70 |
5,565 |
|
Total |
1,290 |
1,00,000 |
4. Living Expenses in Germany Based on Cities:
While we're talking about the cost of living in Germany, it's worth noting that where you live in Germany matters. Despite its status as Germany's capital, Berlin remains an economically important city for students. Cities such as Munich and Stuttgart, on the other hand, are considered to be quite pricey.
Let us expand on this by contrasting two of Germany's most popular student cities:
|
Factors of Living |
Munich |
Frankfurt |
|
Rent |
€1,000 - €1,200 |
€350+ |
|
Restaurant |
€12+ |
€8+ |
|
Milk |
€0.84 |
€0.75 |
|
Beer |
€3.80 |
€0.60 |
|
Bread |
€1.43 |
€0.62 |
The table above depicts the cost differences that students experience when living in different places. As a result, we recommend that you pick the city where you want to study while keeping the costs in mind. It is also advantageous to plan your stay by consulting an expert to assist you in better managing your spending in Germany.
5. Germany Living Expenses: Public vs Private Universities
The cost of living for a student in Germany is also heavily influenced by the university of choice. There are two sorts of universities in Germany: public and private.
According to German government rules and regulations, state higher education institutions or public universities in Germany have a zero tuition fee policy (0-3,000 EUR per year), which has a significant influence on the cost of living in Germany for students.
Private institutions in Germany, on the other hand, charge tuition fees ranging from 10,000 EUR to 35,000 EUR each year.
6. 5 Money-Saving Tips in Germany for International Students
Saving money in Germany is simple for students. Germany gives substantial discounts to international students living in the country to create a student-friendly environment. Here are a few examples:
Student Discounts: Throughout the year, several tempting student discounts on clothing, electronics, and other items are offered to students in Germany. As a result, take advantage of this opportunity and spend it carefully.
Transit Cards: Regular travelers can save money by purchasing a transportation card. This is an excellent strategy to cut costs on your commute.
Scholarships: Obtaining student scholarships in Germany is an excellent option to finance your living expenses in Germany. Look for open opportunities and apply.
Seasonal Sales: Seasonal sales are quite common in Europe. These shopping sales will allow you to shop in Germany wholeheartedly at a lower cost.
Part-time Jobs: Taking up part-time work is the final but not least strategy to manage your finances in Germany. Earning a part-time income allows you to keep the blocked account balance for future usage. You will be able to ensure yourself for the second year of your stay in Germany in this manner.
7. Conclusion
For an international student, the expense of living in Germany is a game of planning and management. Having a budget, as well as applying for part-time employment for foreign students in Germany and scholarships, will help you feel more at peace. Furthermore, your first year in Germany will undoubtedly be stress-free due to your German-blocked bank account. It might be difficult to plan your life as a student study abroad. However, the norms and procedures implemented by German institutions assist to make your student’s life easier. Furthermore, if you want any support to simplify your preparatory path, we propose that you contact our Career Clinic Professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Germany is unquestionably one of the most affordable student nations. The cost of studying in Germany is significantly cheaper than that of studying in the United States or the United Kingdom.
The cost of living expenses in Germany for an Indian student is between 72,060 and 90,560 INR per month.
Yes, it is possible to study for free in Germany with the help of different types of scholarships available that you can apply for, scholarship can be financial aid or academic performance.
The following are the cheapest student cities in Germany: Leipzig, Dresden, Bochum, Jena and Berlin.
