Is Germany Expensive for International Students?

Tuition Fees

Public universities in Germany have not charged tuition fees for undergraduate students, including international students, since they were abolished in 2014. Students are required to pay a nominal semester or registration fee, which normally ranges from €150 to €300. This covers student services, public transportation tickets, and other benefits.

Private universities and some specialised courses (such as graduate courses) do charge tuition fees, especially for international students. The fees can range from €3,000 to €20,000 per year, depending on the course you choose and university you study at.

Living Expenses

Accommodation – rent can be a large monthly expense. Student shared accommodation tends to be the cheapest option, and can cost between €200 and €400 per month. Private accommodation can range from €300 to €700 per month, depending on the city you are living in.

Food and Groceries – students can expect to spend around €200 to €250 per month on groceries. Making use of university catering options can help keep the cost down, whilst eating out at restaurants will make your food expenses add up quickly.

Transport – many universities include public transportation tickets in their semester fee. This allows students to travel within the city and wider region freely. Otherwise, monthly tickets can range between €25 and €75. Germany values its younger citizens, and offers generous student discounts for public transport, as well as other things.

Leisure – activities like going to the cinema, sightseeing, travelling, and other hobbies can cost more, but student discounts are very common in Germany. Make sure you check to see if you are eligible for any discounts.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for everyone in Germany, and is crucial for international students to ensure that they can access required health services. There are two types of health insurance available:

• Public health insurance – costs for students under the age of 30 of before the 14th semester of study are roughly €80 to €100 per month.
• Private health insurance – costs can vary, but some plans start from around €30 per month for basic coverage. It’s important to check the benefits, terms and conditions for each private plan.

Visa Costs

Before you arrive in Germany, you need to consider the cost of applying for and getting a visa, if that is applicable to you:

• Student visa application – applying for a student visa normally costs around €75.
• Residence permit – once you have arrived in Germany, international students from outside of the EU/EEA area will need to obtain a residence permit. This typically costs about €100 for a two year duration.

Additional Expenses

As well as tuition fees, living costs and administration costs, you also need to consider any additional costs that come along with studying abroad in Germany as an international student. These can include:

• Books and study materials – depending on your course, you might need to allocate between €20 and €50 per month.
• TV and radio licence fee – if you have a television, radio or computer with internet access, you might have to pay a broadcasting licence fee of around €18 per month.

While the cost of studying in Germany is substantially lower than in many other countries, especially considering the extremely low tuition fees at public universities, living expenses can vary depending on your lifestyle and city of residence. Cities like Munich or Frankfurt are generally more expensive than smaller cities such as Bremen or Dortmund.

It’s also worth noting that international students are allowed to work part-time, which can help offset some living expenses. On a student visa, students from the EU/EEA can work unlimited hours, while non EU/EEA students can work 120 full days or 240 half days in a year.

While studying abroad in Germany is not entirely without costs, when compared to countries like the USA, UK, or Australia, it remains an affordable option for higher quality education. Proper budgeting and financial planning can ensure a comfortable student life in Germany.

Find out more about Funding and Scholarships for International Students.