Costs of education and living

Germany is not particularly expensive compared to other European countries. But if you want to successfully study abroad, you will have to correctly estimate the costs and ensure that you can cover them. This page will tell you what education and living costs to expect:

Financial security and tuition fees

Proof of financial resources

If you come to Germany from outside the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), you will be required to present proof of financial resources already when you apply for a study visa. This serves as a guarantee that you can afford the cost of studying in Germany.
Since January 2023 you are expected to demonstrate funds of 934 EUR per month / 11,208 EUR per year. From September 2024, the amount is expected to increase to 992 euros per month or 11,904 euros for a year.

Acceptable forms of proof include , an allocated amount on a blocked account (“”), or proof of receipt of a recognised . For further information please contact the German Embassy or Consulate in your country.

BLOCKED ACCOUNTS

Many international students use a blocked account to fund their studies in Germany. The money you transfer to a blocked account cannot be accessed until you enter the country. It is important to request the necessary documents early on. The completed forms, together with a copy of your passport, must be by a German diplomatic mission in your home country before submitting them to the bank of your choice. Banks charge a fee of between 50 and 150 EUR to set up a blocked account. Once you have arrived in Germany, you will be issued with an EC card which you can then use to access the money. The account may only permit the withdrawal of a certain amount per month (for students currently 934 euros, soon to be 992 euros). For more information please visit the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

Tuition fees

The majority of higher education institutions in Germany are financed by the state. There are generally no fees for courses or most courses at state higher education institutions. may have to be paid for certain continuing education Master's programmes, but they are not particularly high compared to other countries. Private higher education institutions may demand more substantial fees for their degree programmes.

The Federal State of Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU citizens tuition fees of EUR 1,500 per semester for (Bachelor's, Master's, and ) degree programmes. These fees do not apply to .

From the winter semester 2024/2025, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) will also charge tuition fees for international students from outside the EU/EEA. The fees will be 2,000 or 3,000 euros per semester for Bachelor's degree programmes and 4,000 or 6,000 euros for Master's degree programmes.

Semester contribution

In Germany, all students at all higher education institutions must pay a . This payment has nothing to do with tuition fees; rather, it covers your contributions to and the . At many higher education institutions it also includes a that allows you to use public transport in the region. The semester contribution varies between higher education institutions and comes to between 100 and 350 EUR. It has to be paid when you and before the start of every new semester. Whether you incur further costs relating to your studies, for example for materials such as specialist books and copies, depends on your subject.

Example: University of Cologne, 2021/22 winter semester
- : EUR 197,20
- Student welfare contribution for : EUR 75,00
- : EUR 10,00
- Student sports: EUR 1,75
- Faculties/departmental student organisations: EUR 2,10
- Administrative fee: EUR 1,90
- Total: EUR 287,95

Living costs

The expenses that arise in the course of leading a normal life, i.e. for accommodation, food, clothing and recreational activities, are called living costs. They are about average in Germany compared to other European countries, that is to say they are significantly lower than in countries like Denmark, Luxembourg or Switzerland, but rather high compared to countries like Poland, the Czech Republic or Italy.

On average, a German student has expenses of EUR 842 per month. That includes rent, travel expenses, expenditures for food, clothing, learning materials, health insurance, telephone, Internet, radio and TV licence fees, and recreational activities. (Added to this is the , which varies between higher education institutions.)

TIP: There are a number of discounts for students. If you can show valid , you will often pay less for tickets to the theatre, museums, opera houses, cinemas and other cultural institutions.

If you are more of the sporty type, you should take a look at the sports programmes at your higher education institution: Some offers are free of charge for students. For some courses, a participation fee must be paid, but this is usually very reasonable.

As energy costs are rising steadily at the moment, we have put together some tips on how to save energy in the home:
Helpful tips for saving energy

- Rent (including utility costs): EUR 410
- Food: EUR 198
- Health insurance, doctor's fees, medications: EUR 100
- Transportation costs (car/public transport): EUR 89
- Tuition fees: EUR 76
- Recreation, culture and sports: EUR 65
- Clothing: EUR 46
- Semester contribution: EUR 36
- Working materials (books etc.): EUR 31
- Telephone/Internet/radio and TV licence, postage: EUR 32
- Other expenses: EUR 144
Source: German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW): 22nd Social Survey, 2023
- 1 loaf of bread (approx. 500g): EUR 2
- 1 kilogramme of potatoes: EUR 0.99
- 1 litre of milk: EUR 0.90
- 1 bottle of mineral water (0.75 litres): EUR 0.80
- 1 cup of coffee (in a café): EUR 2.50
- 1 glass of beer (in a pub): EUR 3
- 1 pizza (in a restaurant): EUR 7
- 1 lunch (in the cafeteria): EUR 2.50
- 1 T-shirt: EUR 10-50
- 1 pair of trousers: EUR 30 to EUR 100
- 1 cinema ticket (with student discount): EUR 6
- 1 theatre ticket (with student discount): EUR 6-30
- 1 museum ticket (with student discount): EUR 2-8

Financing options

Once you are aware of the cost of studying in Germany, you can start thinking about how to fund your degree. International students do not have unlimited permission to work in Germany. A side job can increase your budget, but it's very hard to fund your entire living costs this way. It is therefore a good idea to apply for a . Many institutions, for example the DAAD, party-related foundations, and business-affiliated organisations offer support for international students. Everything you need to know about financial support for your studies can be found here.