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. You can find out what amount has to be paid in to the blocked account based on the purpose of your stay on the website of the competent mission abroad or in the Consular Services Portal.
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.
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 .
Tuition fees for international students from outside the EU/EEA may also apply in Bavaria. These can amount to several thousand euros per semester, depending on the degree being sought. The Bavarian higher education institutions themselves decide whether they charge these fees and how high the amount is. You should therefore research this individually for your desired degree programme.
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 for local public transport, or you can purchase a discounted ticket. Depending on where you study, this may be valid for the city, the region or even for all of Germany. The semester contribution varies between higher education institutions and comes to between 100 and 400 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.
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 slightly above 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 quite high at the moment, we have put together some tips on how to save energy in the home:
Helpful tips for saving energy
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.
