Your financial resources are an important aspect of your plans to study abroad. Before you start applying to study in Germany, you must understand how much it costs to study in Germany and secure sufficient funds to finance your stay. While affordability is by no means the sole factor attracting international students to Germany, low or non-existent tuition fees undoubtedly add to the overall appeal. At public universities, there are no tuition fees for undergraduate programs or for the majority of postgraduate degrees. Fees are charged at private universities, and for only some master’s programs at public universities. In this article, we outline the expenses you can expect during your study visit and the funding possibilities that are available to you.

Cost of Education and Living in Germany can broadly be divided in to 4 categories:

• Semester contribution
• Tuition fees (if applicable, generally public universities do not charge tuition fees)
• Basic living expenses (rent, food, clothing, books, telephone, etc.)
• Health insurance coverage

Semester contribution for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Germany

All university students in germany are required to pay a semester contribution, the amount of which can vary depending on the services it includes. The amount can range between €130 and €390. Most universities charge around €290 on average. One part of the semester contribution covers social services and fees. This helps finance, for example, the student dining halls, student halls of residence, athletic facilities and administrative services. In some states students are charged an administrative fee which can range from €50 to €75 a semester.

The semester contribution at many universities also includes the cost of a public transportation ticket. This semester ticket allows you to use all modes of public transportation in and around your university town for six months free of charge. Depending on the city and the range of the ticket, you can expect to pay between 25 and 160 euros per semester for the ticket.

Tuition Fees – Undergraduate Cost to Study in Germany

Most students in Germany attend public universities where tuition fees are rarely charged for undergraduate programmes. In 2014, Germany’s 16 states abolished tuition fees for undergraduate students at all public German universities. This means that currently both domestic and international undergraduates at public universities in Germany can study for free, with just a small fee to cover administration and other costs per semester. The only exception are the public universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg. Non-EU students in Baden-Württemberg must now pay tuition fees of €3,000 per year, while those gaining a second degree pay a reduced fee of €1,300 per year.

Although you can study for free at public German universities as an undergraduate, there is a charge per semester for enrolment, confirmation and administration, in the form of semester contribution as explained above.

Private universities in Germany are usually dependent on tuition fees for their funding (though some also receive support from foundations), and set their own fees, which can be anything up to and beyond €30,000 a year.

Also read: Top Universities in Germany

Tuition Fees – Postgraduate & Masters Cost to Study in Germany

Master’s degrees at Public German universities are usually free if they are classed as “consecutive” – i.e. following directly on from a related bachelor’s degree gained in Germany. Again, there is a small charge per semester for enrolment, confirmation and administration, plus a Semesterticket – see semester contribution. Cost of MS in Germany from private universities may range between €10,000 to €30,000 per year.

Tuition fees for “non-consecutive” master’s degrees vary between universities i.e., €2,500 to €10,000 per year at public universities and €10,000 to €30,000 at private German universities.

At PhD level, tuition is once again free at all universities in Germany – for the first six semesters at least. As at all levels of study, PhD students are also required to make a semester contribution of no more than €250 or so for administration and other costs. You can find out more about studying a PhD in Germany here.

Consecutive Vs. Non-Consecutive Masters Degree

Living cost to study in Germany

Compared to other European countries, Germany is not overly expensive. The price for food, accommodation, clothing, cultural activities, etc. is slightly higher than the EU average. The approximate cost of living is relatively low compared to that of Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries.

It is difficult to say exactly how much money a student in Germany needs per month. The cost of living varies from city to city. Generally students can live on less money in smaller cities than in large cities. Of course, the amount of money you will need greatly depends on how economically you live.

Students in Germany require an average of almost 920 euros per month to cover their living expenses. Those who have inexpensive accommodation and live modestly can probably get by on about 720 euros per month.

Renting a flat comprises the largest portion of one’s monthly expenditures. However, the rental prices in Germany vary greatly. Depending on the city, students pay between 259 and 373 euros per month for accommodation. The rental prices are comparatively higher in cities like Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg and Berlin. If you are looking to live cheaply, it might be a good idea to take a room in a student hall of residence or a shared flat.

Students are eligible for numerous price concessions. Theatres, opera houses, cinemas, museums and other cultural venues frequently offer concession rates to students who show their student ID at the ticket counter.

In 2022, it is estimated that monthly expenses for students can add up to just under € 819:

• Rent and utilities: € 323
• Food and drink: € 168
• Clothing: € 42
• Learning materials: € 20
• Car and/or public transport: €94
• Health insurance and medical costs: € 80
• Phone, internet and television: € 31
• Recreation, culture and sports: € 61

Health Insurance Cost to Study in Germany

Everyone who studies in Germany must have health insurance. Usually the public health insurance policies of EU member states are valid in Germany. Otherwise, you are required to purchase a policy in Germany after you arrive. Public health insurance policies cost around 90 euros per month. However, if you are older than 30 or haven’t completed your degree programme by your 14th semester, you are no longer eligible for the inexpensive student rate. In such cases, it might be less costly to take out a policy with a private health insurance provider. The Deutsches Studentenwerk has made an agreement with a provider for such cases. For more information, enquire at the Studentenwerk office at your university or visit www.vela.insure (“VELA Optimal” plan). Whatever the case, be sure to clarify your health insurance status before you come to Germany.

How can I prove that I can pay for my cost to study in Germany?

Proof of financial means to cover the costs for the time of your studies by one of the following documents:

• confirmation of a German / EU scholarship / stipend or
• “Verpflichtungserklärung” (formal obligation letter) by sponsor living in Germany or
• blocked account for the first year of your stay, amounting to 11,208 euros

When applying for visa, you can provide evidence that you are able to meet your living costs by opening a blocked bank account. You have free choice of provider. To the best of the Embassy/Consulate General’s knowledge, the Kotak Mahindra Bank or Capital India Finance Ltd offers blocked accounts in India that meet the requirements of the visa procedure.

You cannot withdraw more than 934 euros per month from a blocked account. This is applicable from 01.01.2023.

If the university charges tuition fees: Proof of funds equivalent to the tuition fees for the first two semesters and the fee structure (detailed overview of fees) have to be attached. This can be either of the following:

• Confirmation of payment issued by the university OR
• Education loan OR
• Unblocked deposit added to your blocked account (i.e. deposited in addition to the 11,208 euros mentioned above)

Please note: International students are only allowed to work in Germany under certain conditions. A part-time job may significantly supplement your budget, but it almost certainly won’t be able to cover all your living expenses.

Part-time Work

Once in Germany, it is also possible to supplement your income through part-time work. EU/EEA students can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, while other international students are permitted to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year (more if a work permit is obtained), excluding research assistant work.

Scholarships to study in Germany

Despite the minimal tuition fees, it is possible to obtain scholarships to study in Germany. The DAAD provides many scholarships for international students, and lists other opportunities in an online database, which can be sorted by students’ subject and country of origin. Individual university websites are also a good source of information about available scholarships. Sources of funding for PhD candidates include scholarships, prizes, research grants and paid positions within universities, research centres and industry. Notable funding providers include the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Leibniz Association and the EU’s Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorates program. Current opportunities are listed on the government-run website www.research-in-germany.org. 

Conclusion

In summary, if you study in a public university in Germany, then living cost will be your major expense at around € 11,000 per year. You should allow another € 5,00 to € 1,000 for other miscellanous expenses. However, if you study at a private university, then you will incur an additional cost of € 10,000 to € 30,000 per year depending on the tuition fees of the university you study at. Note that it is possible to earn back a significant portion your expenses through part-time work in Germany.