The cost of studying at a university in Germany

How much does it cost to study in Germany? If you are interested in studying in Germany, one of the most important things to consider is how much everything is going to cost. This essential guide breaks down the cost of every aspect of university life to ensure that you have everything covered.  

Note that prices and exchange rates are correct at the time of publication and may vary from those shown here. 

How much are tuition fees in Germany?

Germany is one of just a handful of nations that offers free university education, along with Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden. Germany’s 16 states abolished tuition fees for undergraduate students at all public universities in 2014. Therefore, domestic and international students can study for free, paying just a small administration fee per semester.

However, since 2017 non-EU students have had to pay to study in the Baden-Wurttemberg area, which includes the universities of Freiburg, Heidelberg, Hohenheim, Karlsruhe, Konstanz, Mannhein, Stuttgart, Tübingen and Ulm. It costs €3,000 per semester for a first degree at these universities and €650 per semester for a second degree. 

There are exemptions for non-EU students who have gained a higher education entrance qualification in Germany, international students from Erasmus member states, students with permanent residency in Europe and refugees who have a right to stay in Germany. These fees are also not applicable to doctoral students. 

There is a charge at all universities for enrolment, confirmation and administration, which is typically no more than €300 per semester, although each university is different.

The majority of universities are public. However, the few private ones can charge up to €30,000 per year for tuition fees for an undergraduate course and €40,000 per year for a master's degree.  

If you’re from outside the EU, you will need a student visa to study in Germany, which costs about €75. To fulfil visa requirements, you will need to show proof that you have access to about €934 per month or €11,208 per year to cover living costs.

How much are accommodation costs in Germany?

Renting somewhere to live represents the largest portion of a students’ budget in Germany, but the costs vary depending on the type and region. Student residences (in short supply in Germany) and shared flats are the most economical options. Often, shared flats and residences have communal areas such as cafés, laundry facilities and cellars for bicycles.

Expect to pay between €800 and €1,500 per month to rent privately in Germany. 

Naturally, large cities present the highest rental costs: larger cities such as Berlin, Munich, or Frankfurt are going to have much higher rents than smaller cities like Leipizig or Hannover. In Berlin, the cost of living is higher, and you can expect private accommodation to range from €1,000 - €1,500 including bills. However, these do often come furnished. 

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The cost of living in Germany

Students in Germany are advised to budget approxaimtely €1,000 per month for living expenses. Rent is the most expensive of these costs. The average annual living cost in Germany is €12,000 although in bigger cities this cost could be higher. 

An undergraduate degree in Germany lasts three to four years, therefore students should expect to spend €33,624 on living costs during an entire three-year degree. 

German students should factor in €30-50 per month for study costs and learning materials.

One of the benefits of choosing to study in Germany is the “Semesterticket”, a pass that covers the cost of travel on buses, trams, subways and local trains (except inter-city trains) for a semester in the specified university city. The cost is typically included in any admin fees payable to the university, although you may have to pay for it if your period of study is extended.

Internet access for an entire flat is about 20-€30 a month (split between tenants) and utilities are about €200 per month. A monthly phone bill ranges from €10-30 per month. A litre of petrol costs €1.54 (£1.17).

International and domestic students are required to have health insurance in Germany. Health insurance policies can be between €120-€130 depending on whether the cover is private or public and your personal situation. 

Grocery shopping in Germany can cost an average of €50 a week or €200 per month.

A meal in a restaurant costs about €10. A cinema ticket costs about €9, while a pint of beer is €3.50 and a glass of wine is €3. Monthly gym memberships cost about €30 and gig, concert and event tickets are about €10. 

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What financial support is available in Germany?

The German government offers students up to €934 per month to cover living costs while studying, under the BAföG programme. It is for students who are unable to finance the cost of the study they wish to undertake. German nationals and students from EU/EEA Member States may be eligible for this support if they meet the criteria. Generally, applicants for BAföG must live in Germany.

Another popular place to look for scholarships are the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarships. The DAAD is a national government organisation which provides a range of scholarships for students at all levels.

Universities will also have their own scholarships so it's always worth getting in touch with your prospective universities and asking what kind of financial support they ahve in place.  

Plenty of student discounts are available in Germany. On the presentation of a student card, you can get reductions on entrance fees to swimming pools, museums, theatres, cinemas and other cultural venues.